This week, multiple wildfires have burned more than 33,000 acres across Los Angeles, fueled by a rare set of perfectly terrible conditions, including a midwinter drought.On the other side of the country, freezing temperatures are blanketing states as part of a polar vortex disruption that, somewhat paradoxically, is more frequent in a warming world. Simultaneously, Saudi Arabia has seen unprecedented flooding, and Australia is in the throes of a heat wave that is worsening bushfires. Amid all that destruction, scientists just confirmed that 2024 was the first year that global temperature averages exceeded 1.5 degrees Celsius of warming since the preindustrial era.2024 saw its own share of climate disasters, from monsoon flooding in the Philippines to devastating hurricanes that hit North Carolina and Florida to record-breaking heat and wildfires in Canada. In the U.S. alone, the Federal Emergency Management Agency declared an unprecedented 179 disasters in 2024, equivalent to one every two days.For years, limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius has been a goal set as part of the Paris climate agreement. Climate scientists warned that if we hit 1.5 degrees of warming above preindustrial levels, we would see devastating impacts: more than a billion people exposed to severe heat waves once every five years; coral reefs likely to decline 70% to 90%; sea level potentially rising 2.5 feet on average.Before 2024 was even over, as it was on track to be the warmest year on record, some expected it would surpass that 1.5 degree threshold. The Copernicus Climate Change Service, part of the European Unions Earth Observation Programme, has now confirmed that. Human-induced climate change remains the primary driver of extreme air and sea surface temperatures, it said, though it also noted that other factors, such as the El Nio Southern Oscillation, contributed to the unusual temperatures experienced over the past year.Still, 2024 was the warmest year on record based on global temperature archives dating as far back as 1850. And it was the first calendar year to reach a global average temperature 1.5 degrees above preindustrial levels.Each year in the last decade is one of the 10 warmest on record. We are now teetering on the edge of passing the 1.5C level defined in the Paris Agreement and the average of the last two years is already above this level, Samantha Burgess, strategic lead for climate at the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts, said in a statement. These high global temperatures, coupled with record global atmospheric water vapor levels in 2024, meant unprecedented heat waves and heavy rainfall events, causing misery for millions of people.Human-caused climate changein which the burning of fossil fuels leads to extreme levels of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere that warm the planetexacerbates extreme weather. It makes everything from severe storms and flooding to heat waves, droughts, and wildfires more frequent and intense.The focus on limiting warming to 1.5 degrees hasnt worked as a climate messaging strategyclearly, since we failed to prevent it from happening. Part of the issue is the binary it creates: that we must avoid 1.5 degrees of warming, or else. In fact, the world doesnt immediately end at 1.5 degrees, it just gradually gets worse. That means climate skeptics still have room to say weve hit this deadline, and yet the world is still standing.For much of the globe, though, things arent fine at this level of warming. And even though 2024 hit this threshold, its not a reason to give up on climate action. If warming continues to 2 degrees C, or even 3 degrees, the effects will be more extreme: the complete decline of our coral reefs, an ice-free Arctic Ocean, up to 50% declines in key crop yields.Humanity is in charge of its own destiny, but how we respond to the climate challenge should be based on evidence, Carlo Buontempo, director of Copernicus, said in a statement. The future is in our handsswift and decisive action can still alter the trajectory of our future climate.

Maybe you found this article on Google, in which case you have an immigrant to thank, Sergey Brin, the search engines cofounder. Or perhaps someone sent you the link on WhatsAppa company created by another immigrant, Jan Koum. Maybe youre reading it on a laptop powered by an Intel processor, in which case you can thank another immigrant, Andrew Grove. Or possibly its on your iPhone, in which case credit is due to Steve Jobs, whose father emigrated to the United States from Syria.Examples of the contributions first- and second-generation immigrants have made to the world are innumerable. But whats really interesting, beyond the headline-grabbing individual success stories, are the statistics showing that immigrants generally are not only more likely to be entrepreneurs but also more likely to be successful and build a company that lasts compared to their native-born peers.Consider these stats from the American Immigration Councils latest report: Although only around 28% of Americans are first- or second-generation immigrants, 46% of Fortune 500 companies were founded by immigrants or their children. In 2023, those companies generated revenue of over $8.6 trillion, more than the GDP of every country apart from the U.S. and China. And four out of every five billion-dollar startups have founders or leading executives who were either born abroad or have immigrant parents.As a former child refugee and three-time immigrant, I find these statistics both inspiring and challenging. Why are immigrants so skilled at building businesses that last?Most research focuses on what immigrants lacklike resources or local connectionsthat pushes them toward entrepreneurship. But I wanted to explore what immigrants bring that makes them so successful.To find answers, I studied top immigrant entrepreneurs across industries, from tea to tech. While the immigrant experience is incredibly diverse, I discovered recurring themes in their stories. Here are three key lessonsrooted in the past, present, and futurethat we can all learn from these extraordinary entrepreneurs.Drawing inspiration from the pastAccounts of the immigrant experience often focus on the identity crises created by living across different cultures. But my research shows that immigrant entrepreneurs turn that apparent crisis into a positive, drawing on the richness of their past experiences to create successful businesses that make bridges between cultures. Deep familiarity with another culture helps immigrants spot enormously lucrative opportunities that others simply cannot see, and the ability to build cross-cultural bridges becomes one of their entrepreneurial superpowers.For instance, Hamdi Ulukaya grew up in a nomadic Kurdish shepherd community in a remote part of north-eastern Turkey. After emigrating to New York, Ulukaya was surprised to discover he couldnt get yogurt of the quality he enjoyed back home. Harnessing the knowledge from his childhood in Turkey, Ulukaya created Chobani in 2005. The company now does over $2 billion in sales every year.The orthodox position on entrepreneurship is that budding entrepreneurs should look outward into the world to identify a gap in the market that they can profitably fill. But many immigrant entrepreneurs start by lookinginward,drawing on their complex multicultural identities to create a business that truly matters to them.Entrepreneurs need to follow their heart, and their vision, and their passion first and then see whats out there, not the other way round, says Reem Hassani, an Iraqi-American who cofounded Numi Organic Tea, the worlds largest fair-trade tea company on her approach to starting a business.Another example is Jan Koum. Growing up in the Soviet Union during the final years of communism, Jan felt the pervasive fear of being monitored during phone conversations. After moving to the U.S. in the early 1990s, he faced new challenges, including the high cost of calling home and the overwhelming noise of constant advertising in American culture.Jan drew on those diverse experiences from two different culturesthe fear of monitoring, the cost of calling, and the annoyance of advertisingto create a business that offered a fully encrypted, free-to-use, and ad-free way of communicating: WhatsApp.You dont need to be an immigrant to learn from these approaches to business building. Anyone can look inward and identify the personal passion that they can turn into a profitable enterprise. And cross-cultural bridging also does not require immigration. Anyone can learn deeply about another culture through travel and taking opportunities to live and work internationally.Such exposure can also help you identify trends in other parts of the world that are ripe for export to new markets, a skill that immigrant entrepreneur Hernan Lopez, founder of the podcast network Wondery, refers to as reading tomorrows newspaper today.Taking action in the presentLooking inward, building cross-cultural bridges, and reading tomorrows newspaper today help entrepreneurs identify opportunities. But how do you turn a great idea into a great business? Immigrant entrepreneurs do that in a very interesting way: by prioritizing community above all else.Many immigrants come from countries where the collective is valued more than the individual. Through immigration, they also lose many of their ties, and when they start to rebuild them, they value and appreciate the extra strength that every new connection brings.When my family fled persecution in communist Bulgaria for a new life in Turkey, our way out of the refugee camp was through a long-lost relative my father tracked down in Istanbul, who opened her home not just to us but also to five other families. Today, her son is our factory manager and her daughter is our accountant. And we have nurtured our business for over 25 years by continuing to draw on and give back to our communities: hiring refugees, women, and youths from disadvantaged backgrounds, implementing profit-sharing programs, and reinvesting profits in Bulgaria and Istanbul.The academic literature calls such connections homophilic ties, a phrase that basically refers to the idea that birds of a feather flock together. People are more likely to do business and work with other people who are like them, which in the case of immigrants often means people from their home countries or cultures.However, the most successful immigrant entrepreneurs are often experts at building community and connections even with people who do not come from the same culture. They do so by focusing on common experiences and shared values that transcend individual cultures. A great example of that comes from the story of Saeju Jeong and Artem Petakov, who bonded over their common experience of being immigrants and their shared commitment to improving health, which led them to cofound Noom, the weight-loss app that is currently valued at over $3 billion.As that story shows, connections across cultures can be just as strong as those within them. And all budding entrepreneurs, whether immigrant or otherwise, can focus on shared values and other commonalities to build the sort of powerful connections that characterize strong businesses. We all have much more in common than that which divides us. Changing the futureMuch of what I learned from immigrant entrepreneurs contradicts the conventional wisdom about building a business. They look inward for ideas instead of out at the market; they prioritize community over personal gain. But perhaps the most striking characteristic of the most successful immigrant entrepreneurs is the depth of their commitment to purpose over profit. Often motivated by their own experiences of hardship, immigrant entrepreneurs build businesses that are committed to realizing visions of a better future for all.A powerful example of that comes from the story of Luis von Ahn, who grew up in Guatemala in the 1980s while the country was racked by civil war. Coming from a place where a quality education is a privilege rather than a right gave von Ahn a deep appreciation of the transformative power of learning. Having made his fortune through designing the CAPTCHA system used by websites around the world, von Ahn backed out of a highly lucrative contract with Google to focus on creating a platform that democratized learning for all.His vision of improved, free language learning materialized as Duolingothe worlds most downloaded educational app. And although money was never its motivator, the company currently has a net worth of just over $10 billion. It was able to overturn its main language-learning competitors because over 800 million free downloads have created a vast user base that both markets the app and makes it attractive to advertisers, whose money keeps Duolingo free for 97% of its users.The story of Luis von Ahn powerfully illustrates one of the key teachings from immigrant entrepreneurs about building a successful business. Real success does not come from the money you take but from the difference you make. Focusing on making a difference means that you will create a company that addresses the real issues that people face. And doing that gives your business the fuel that it needs to take off and head to the stratosphere.if you want to follow in the footsteps of some of the worlds most successful entrepreneurs and create a business with an impact that lasts, here are four things you can do. First, look inward to draw inspiration from your own passions. Second, learn what you can from other cultures to inform your business ideas. Third, build a community based on common ties and shared values that will work alongside you to make your dream a reality. And finally, maintain a focus on purpose over profit to build a business and create a legacy that lasts.

Smart lighting has become an essential aspect of modern living, offering more than mere illumination. Innovative lighting solutions can transform everyday living and turn ordinary moments into extraordinary experiences. By incorporating smart lighting technology into household products, Govee creates immersive environments that surprise and delight, bringing a sense of wonder to every corner of the home. With the ability to adjust lighting to suit different activities, such as working, relaxing, or entertaining, Govee empowers users to create the perfect atmosphere. Whether enhancing productivity, fostering relaxation, or amplifying entertainment, Govees solutions offer an adaptable and vibrant experience that enriches daily life in various ways. At CES 2025, Govee captivated attendees with its vibrant approach to smart lighting, demonstrating how color can transform everyday life. Govees advancements in RGBICWW and LuminBlend technologies seamlessly blend warm white and dynamic colors, allowing for tailored lighting environments. The theme Bring Color to Daily Life was vividly illustrated through innovative technology and creative designs. Govees presence highlighted the transformative power of smart lighting in enhancing moods, boosting productivity, and enriching entertainment experiences, making daily life more delightful and engaging.Designer: GoveeGovee Mini Panel LightsGovees Mini Panel Lights redefine playfulness and customization with their compact design and vibrant colors. The RGBIC technology, combined with a curved transparent lampshade, creates a stunning three-dimensional effect that transforms any space. These mini panels offer limitless DIY creativity, allowing users to design unique lighting displays that reflect their personality and enhance their environment.The smart connection system makes assembly effortless, with the app intelligently recognizing layouts for easy installation. With support for up to 120 panels and over 50 lighting effects, users can create expansive displays that suit any occasion. The panels are compatible with major smart home systems, enabling voice control for a seamless and personalized lighting experience.Featuring a built-in MCU chip, the latest Govee Mini Panel Lights offer smart graphics recognition through the app. This advanced feature ensures effortless operation and a seamless user experience, making it easy to create festive lighted dcor. Whether for holiday celebrations or everyday enjoyment, these mini panels add a touch of creativity and fun to any setting.The panels expansion and splicing support allow for large-scale setups, connecting up to 70 light panels with a single adapter or up to 120 panels with two adapters. Using the Govee Home App, users can customize each panel to create stunning pixel art displays, such as a festive Christmas tree, for a truly personalized experience.Govee Table Lamp 2 Pro x Sound by JBLThe Govee Table Lamp 2 Pro x Sound by JBL combines audio and visual elements for an unparalleled home entertainment experience. Powered by RGBICWW technology, the lamp offers customizable lighting effects that sync with JBLs high-quality sound. This collaboration creates a dynamic atmosphere, with vibrant lighting that complements any musical mood, from lively gatherings to peaceful relaxation.With its rechargeable and portable design, the Table Lamp 2 Pro x Sound by JBL can easily be moved to any space, bringing its immersive light and sound show wherever you go. Compatible with major smart home systems, users can effortlessly adjust the ambiance using voice commands, making it a versatile addition to any smart home setup.The lamps customizable RGBICWW lighting offers a vivid spectrum of colors and adjustable white light, providing the perfect ambiance for any occasion. With over 100 preset lighting scenes and extensive DIY customization options, users can craft unique lighting displays that reflect their mood and style, enhancing the overall aesthetic of their living spaces.Developed in collaboration with JBL, the lamp delivers premium audio quality via a powerful 10W full-range speaker and two large passive radiators. For a full surround experience, two Table Lamp 2 Pro x Sound by JBLs can be paired together, filling any room with dynamic, multidirectional audio that enriches the listening experience.Govee Gaming Pixel LightThe Govee Gaming Pixel Light revolutionizes gaming and entertainment with vibrant, customizable pixel displays. Powered by advanced AIGC technology, users can create personalized pixel art and sync lighting to music or game events. With over 150 scene modes, this dynamic solution offers endless possibilities for enhancing the gaming experience, transforming any setup into a visual spectacle that captivates and engages.As the industrys first AI-powered pixel light, Govees Pixel Light stands out with its ability to generate stunning pixel art instantly. The AI Lighting Bot, utilizing Govees proprietary algorithm, delivers AI-generated lighting effects that sync with other Govee devices for a cohesive experience. The user-friendly interface simplifies DIY creation, allowing for extensive customization and a truly immersive lighting environment.The pixel lights retro electronic speaker feature combines pixel art with 8-bit music, enhancing the visual experience. Music modes allow the lights to synchronize with the rhythm, blending visual and auditory elements for a captivating experience. This unique combination of light and sound adds a new dimension to entertainment, making each moment more engaging and memorable.With a gaming mechanical-inspired design, the pixel light complements any gaming room. Whether wall-mounted or desktop-displayed, users can choose from over 20 preset gaming pixel animations to create the ultimate immersive atmosphere. The Govee HDMI 2.1 Sync Box allows for real-time game visuals capture, enhancing the DreamView gaming experience.Illuminating the FutureGovee continues to lead the way in smart ambient lighting with its innovative technologies like RGBICWW and LuminBlend. These advancements allow for tailored lighting environments that cater to various needs, from productivity to relaxation. The AI Lighting Bot offers unparalleled creative flexibility, generating personalized lighting effects with exceptional accuracy and dynamic color tuning.With Matter integration, Govee products seamlessly connect with major smart home systems, simplifying the smart lighting experience. This enhanced compatibility makes smart lighting more accessible and enjoyable, allowing users to effortlessly transform their spaces with vibrant, efficient, and hassle-free solutions.Through its focus on user-friendly design and intuitive interfaces, Govee ensures that its lighting solutions are accessible to everyone. By providing tools that simplify customization and enhance the overall enjoyment of crafting unique designs, Govee fosters a sense of creativity and playfulness that resonates with users of all ages.Govee Proves Lights Can Be FunA research paper made in collaboration with global market intelligence firm IDC forecasts explosive growth in the smart home market by 2028, with global smart lighting shipments expected to surpass $5 billion. The interest in smart and colored lighting isnt just for illumination or decoration but more for peoples well-being. Warm light tends to make us more relaxed while cool lighting boosts focus. More natural light systems also help improve sleep and reduce stress.To this end, Govee is in a prime position to push the boundaries of this fast-growing market with striking lighting designs that give users the freedom to customize the lighting to fit their needs, moods, and schedules. Its commitment to innovation is reflected in its continuous development of cutting-edge lighting technologies. By pushing the boundaries of whats possible, Govee empowers users to explore new dimensions of creativity and personalization, making smart lighting an integral part of modern living that enhances everyday experiences.Govees showcase at CES 2025 underscores its commitment to revolutionizing smart living through innovative lighting solutions. By embracing the idea that lighting can be both fun and functional, Govee continues to make everyday moments brighter and more enjoyable. Their vibrant ambient lighting fosters connections with users on practical and emotional levels, enhancing daily life with color and creativity. Through its pioneering technologies and imaginative designs, Govee invites everyone to explore the joy of personalized lighting experiences.The post Govee at CES 2025: Bringing Color and Delight to Daily Life first appeared on Yanko Design.

While the destructive Los Angeles fires rage, all eyes have turned to the app that lets you track them. WIRED spoke with Watch Duty founder John Mills about how the platform has met the moment.

PC sales certainly werent going gangbusters in 2024: They only grew a paltry 1% over 2023.According to new figures from IDC, vendors shipped 262.7 million PCs in 2024. But things did pick up a bit in Q4 2024: Shipments grew 1.8% over the prior year, reaching 68.9 million.While all this may seem like a modest gain, it still represents progress in a time of economic instability, fear of inflation, geopolitical tensions, and the upcoming US regime change.1% growth is actually a pretty good thing in the PC industry right now, Ryan Reith, group vice president, IDCs Worldwide Device Trackers, told Computerworld. Thats what we expected for the year, and actually, the market is shifting back to some recovery.The year of refresh2025 will likely see bigger numbers. IDG expects 4.3% growth in total PC shipments in the coming year. This will largely be due to commercial refreshes that occur even in the toughest of macro-economic times, Reith pointed out. Typically, medium-to-large sized companies update their PCs at least every three to four years.The commercial refresh usually is pretty resilient because, certainly in developed markets, a lot of medium to large enterprises want to stay ahead, said Reith.Indeed, Microsoft has declared 2025 the year of the Windows 11 PC refresh, as the tech giant is ending feature and security support for Windows 10 PCs beginning October 14.However, many factors remain uncertain, including fears of inflation, ongoing geopolitical disputes, and big changes expected with the impending Trump administration. The Consumer Technology Association, for one, estimates that Trumps proposed steep tariffs on imports ranging from 10 to 20% for most countries and climbing as high as 100% from China could increase laptop and tablet prices by as much as 68%.What about AI PCs?There has been a ton of hype around AI PCs, as they are set to fundamentally change the way people interact with devices. For instance, built-in AI can perform certain tasks such as information retrieval, while more advanced AI agents can even take autonomous action, leading to significant productivity gains.Gartner, for instance, has projected that AI PCs will account for 43% of all PCs in 2025. The firms analysts estimate that worldwide shipments of AI PCs will total 114 million units this year, representing an increase of more than 165% over 2024. Further, the firm predicts that by 2026, AI laptops will be the only choice of laptop available to large enterprises (compared to less than 5% availability in 2023).Big tech is certainly betting on this trend. Microsoft, for its part, introduced Copilot+ PCs in May, and Nvidia introduced its AI PC Project Digits this week at CES. Qualcomm and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) have unveiled their own AI processors and Dell is working on AI hardware, too.This is a huge leap of technology, from every aspect of software down to the hardware and everything in between, said Reith. This is going to be a fundamental change, in a positive way, in the industry.More advanced PCs that can do more than other PCs (and humans, too) might eventually translate to less hardware shipped, he noted. However, it will be a net positive. Theres going to be a lot of revenue gains from that, from the software side, cloud side, everything else.Not so fastStill, Reith noted, the industry has gotten a little ahead of itself when it comes to AI PCs. While they someday will become the norm all modern laptops and desktops, after all, contain some sort of AI thats more of a long-term trend.This is notably because budgets are constrained across the board, said Reith. It doesnt matter if youre a tech company, healthcare, whatever. When AI comes up, its, Look, how much extra is that going to cost? Its all about the dollar.Also, while theyre innovating at an impressive clip, big tech companies havent really lived up to the hype, he pointed out. Industry watchers, for instance, thought Microsoft would deliver more around Copilot+, providing concrete use cases through its partnerships and illustrating how enterprises can get returns on their investments.Microsoft didnt deliver, but it didnt fall on its face, said Reith. Even if you under-deliver a little bit in a time when budgets are constrained, it puts a bigger spotlight on, Hey, maybe we can wait a little bit.There are still very, very good PCs out thereIT decision makers dont need to feel rushed to purchase AI PCs, Reith noted. Dont rule out PCs the next level down, he advised; there are still really, really good products from PC vendors that run Intels Meteor Lake processors (introduced in 2023) or AMD chips, among others.So dont feel like youre buying down, said Reith. We have a lot of very, very good PCs; theyre just not the ones that are the latest and greatest and cost 50% more.Also, he pointed out, while Microsoft is sunsetting Windows 10, enterprises still have access to an affordable service support extension. Its a very, very attractive option, especially right now, if youve got good hardware.The AI PC buzz is realRecognizing the dampening of interest (at least for now) in AI PCs, suppliers like Lenovo, HP, Dell, and others are already adjusting and shifting their focus to PCs the next level down in their portfolio, said Reith.Its going to pick up, theyve kind of paused a little bit on the supply side, he said. However, theyre not going to slow down the innovation. In fact, theyre innovating like crazy.Ultimately, the buzz is real, he said. I think everyone got a little over their heads on the immediate opportunity. Its just going to be a little bit more prolonged.

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. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Google is partnering with The Linux Foundation to launch an initiative meant to fund open development and enhance projects in the Chromium ecosystem, according to an announcement on Thursday. The fund, called Supporters of Chromium-Based Browsers, is billed as a neutral space to support Chromium projects.Google launched Chromium alongside its Chrome web browser in 2008. Its the open-source infrastructure that powers Chrome and many other browsers built on it, including Microsoft Edge, Opera, and Brave.In addition to Google, there are already several notable companies on board with the initiative, including Meta, Microsoft, and Opera. Microsoft said joining will help provide clear and open governance that directs funds towards community-driven needs.Googles contributions to Chromium. Image: GoogleGoogle also highlighted the more than 100,000 commits it made to Chromium last year, as well as its efforts to invest heavily into the open-source project:Google also continues to invest heavily in the shared infrastructure of the Open Source project to keep the lights on, including having thousands of servers endlessly running millions of tests, responding to hundreds of incoming bugs per day, ensuring the important ones get fixed, and constantly investing in code health to keep the whole project maintainable.The creation of the Supporters of Chromium-Based Browsers initiative comes months after the US Department of Justice demanded that Google sell Chrome as part of its proposed remedies following the ruling that Google is a monopolist. In response, Google proposed eliminating exclusive deals that make Google the default search engine on web browsers like Safari and Mozilla for three years. Even if Google is attempting to show the DOJ how much it contributes to Chromium, the creation of the Supporters of Chromium-Based Browsers suggests the open-source project would still have backing without the companys involvement.

Following the arrival of the first Thunderbolt 5 cables last July and the first Thunderbolt 5 dock last September, it might finally be time to start upgrading your external storage to take advantage of the increased performance. Its been a slow rollout for Thunderbolt 5 hardware following its official reveal in September 2023, but companies like Seagate, OWC, and Sabrent finally have SSDs en route supporting the new standard.Seagate announced its new Thunderbolt 5 LaCie Rugged SSD Pro5 external drive at CES this week. The company says it will be available sometime this month in a 2TB version for $399.99 and a 4TB version for $599.99. Theyll offer read and write speeds of 6,700MB/s and 5,300MB/s, respectively. Image: SeagateLike previous LaCie rugged drives, the new SSD comes in a rubber enclosure in blue, black, and orange color options, helping it survive drops from heights of up to three meters. Its also waterproof with an IP68 rating, so it can survive a complete dunking to depths of one meter. Image: SabrentThere are a few other choices that have been announced, too, though with varying levels of availability. Sabrent, for example, was actually one of the first companies to announce a Thunderbolt 5 SSD last August, but the SSD isnt out yet. The Rocket XTRM 5 comes in a silicone sleeve for extra protection from falls, and the company says it can reach read and write speeds of 6,000MB/s and 5,000MB/s, respectively. Its expected to be available in 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB capacities but is still listed as only being available for preorder through Sabrents website. Image: OWCOWC announced its Envoy Ultra Thunderbolt 5 SSD last September. The company says the external drive is water-resistant, dust-resistant, and crushproof, and offers read speeds of over 6,000MB/s. When it was announced, OWC said the Envoy Ultra would be available in a 2TB version for $399.99 and a 4TB version for $599.99, with shipping starting in late October. The first shipments of the drives sold out, but its still available for preorder through OWCs website with an expected ship date of mid-January 2025.If youd rather take a DIY approach, several Thunderbolt 5-compatible SSD enclosures have also been announced over the past few months.However, despite the promised performance improvements, and the yearlong wait for hardware to finally materialize, upgrading your setup to Thunderbolt 5 might still have a few speed bumps. Thats what Mark Hachman, the senior editor of PCWorld, discovered when trying to get a Maingear ML-17 laptop, Kensingtons Thunderbolt 5 dock, OWCs Envoy Ultra SSD, and Acers Nitro XV5 displays to play nice. The setup was plagued by laggy performance and slow transfer speeds.It all still felt not quite ready for primetime, Hachman found. When you buy (or test) bleeding-edge hardware, sometimes youre the one that ends up with the cuts, Hachman said.

Thank your own personal deitypossibly Numen, not to be confused with Newmanit's Friday! Let's put this week out of its misery with some cheap games worth spending your next two days with. Personally, I'd gravitate to Ori: The Collection, Hollow Knight, Untitled Goose Game, and a sub-five-buck Brtal Legend. Why the latter? Because it is the greatest and best game in the world ...tribute.In retro news, the system-selling Rogue Squadron turns 26 today, and I absolutely smashed at launch. Being one of the first titles to utilise the Expansion Pak, which added a whopping 4MB of extra RAM (!!!), it delivered a star war far, far, and away better than the previous N64 title holder, Shadows of the Empire. It's also been 28 years since Square released Tobal No. 1, a cult-hit 3D fighter featuring a robot who could un-life himself by flicking his own switch off. I still couldn't tell you what for.Shoelacing Imperial Walkers with a Snowspeederstill timelessly satisfying as of my 2025 replay. This Day in Gaming Aussie birthdays for notable games.- Tobal No. 1 (PS) 1997. eBay- The Pinball of the Dead (GBA) 2003. eBay- Choplifter HD (PC,PS3,X360) 2012.- Star Wars: Rogue Squadron (N64) 1999. Get- Anarchy Reigns (PS3,X360) 2013. eBay- Pokmon: Typing Adventure (DS) 2013. eBayTable of ContentsNice Savings for Nintendo SwitchXenoblade Chronicles XXenoblade Chronicles X is a massive RPG and the satisfying loop of combat and customization makes exploring the vast world of Mira a fun and rewarding experience. 8.2/10, Great.FC 25 (-62%) - A$34Spyro Reignited Tril. (-60%) - A$27.98Ori: The Collection (-33%) - A$47The Sinking City (-88%) - A$8.88Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2 (-75%) - A$17.48Donkey Kong Country Returns HD (-15%) - A$68Expiring Recent DealsIt Takes Two (-43%) - A$34Mario & Luigi: Brothership (-15%) - A$68Prince Of Persia: TLC (-43%) - A$28.89The Messenger (-80%) - A$6Wolfenstein II: TNC (-85%) - A$8.24Or gift a Nintendo eShop Card.Switch Console PricesHow much to Switch it up?Switch OLED + Mario Wonder: $539 $499 | Switch Original: $499 $448 | Switch OLED Black: $539 $479 | Switch OLED White: $539 $479 | Switch Lite: $329 $299 | Switch Lite Hyrule: $339 $299See itBack to topPurchase Cheap for PCHollow KnightHollow Knight is a Metroidvania with a well of content to discover thats as deep as its labyrinthine caves. The world of Hallownest is compelling, rich, and 9/10 amazing.BioShock 2 Rem. (-100%) - FREE w/PrimeSkyDrift Infinity (-100%) - FREE w/PrimeSpirit Mancer (-100%) - FREE w/PrimeUntitled Goose Game (-65%) - A$10.49SteelSeries Rival 3 (-25%) - A$59Expiring Recent DealsElite Dangerous (-79%) - A$6.20Monster Hunter Wilds (-18%) - A$104.95Civ VII (-12%) - A$105.55Helldivers 2 (-23%) - A$49.85Logitech G502 X PLUS (-40%) - A$178 Or just get a Steam Wallet CardPC Hardware PricesSlay your pile of shame.Official launch in NovSteam Deck 256GB LCD: $649 | Steam Deck 512GB OLED: $899 | Steam Deck 1TB OLED: $1,049See it at SteamBack to topExciting Bargains for XboxOne Piece OdysseyThe power of One Pieces story, world, art, and characters does a lot of the heavy lifting in making One Piece Odyssey a joy to play. Odyssey nails the most important parts: The heart, humor, and soul of One Piece.Brtal Legend (-75%) - A$4.98 [X/S Back compat]Gotham Knights (-86%) - A$15Dragon Age: The Veilguard (-44%) - A$79Red Dead Redemption II (-60%) - A$24Hogwarts Legacy (-64%) - A$36 [XO]Expiring Recent DealsMonster Hunter Wilds (-17%) - A$99CoD: BLOPS 6 (-20%) - A$89Undisputed (-37%) - A$57Metal Gear Solid: Master Col. (-41%) - A$50.39Or just invest in an Xbox Card.Xbox Console PricesHow many bucks for a 'Box? Series X: $799 $729 | Series S Black: $549 $545 | Series S White:$499 $471 | Series S Starter: N/ASee itBack to topPure Scores for PlayStationLike a Dragon: Pirate YakuzaIts the spin-off that I think should be rated Arrrr. Embark on an over-the-top, modern-day pirate adventure with an ex-yakuza, now pirate captain & his crew. Engage in combat on land and sea in the hunt for lost memories and treasure.WRC 5 eSports Ed. (-95%) - A$0.69Split Fiction (-16%) - A$59Stellar Blade (-25%) - A$93.71WRC 10 (-85%) - A$12.74Dragon Ball: Sparking! 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You can pay for TSA PreCheckto keep your shoes on when walking through airport security, but what about the rest of us who don't particularly enjoy the indignity of shuffling our socks or -- eek! -- bare soles across a floor that's had thousands of other shoes and feet scrape across it. Read more: These Are the Official 2025 Best of CES Winners, Awarded by CNET GroupIn order to speed up the process and decrease the ick factor, the Transportation Security Administration is atCES 2025 in Las Vegasshowing offnew tech that would let you keep your shoes onwhile scanning footwear for prohibited items. Watch this: I Made Things Weird Trying TSA's New Shoe Scanner Machine 03:53 The premise is simple: You step onto the platform, placing each foot in a marked area. Millimeter-wave technology scans your shoe and sends data to a computer. When CNET's Bridget Carey spotted the technology being demonstrated, she knew she had to shake things up and see how the TSA's new tech would respond."Let's make it interesting," Carey said. "Maybe I should put something in my shoe and see what happens on the scanner machine."Carey tucked a variety of small objects, including a dental floss pick, gummy worm, mustard packet and plastic knife, inside her shoe before stepping up on the TSA's scanning platform. CES 2025: Amazing Futuristic Tech Concepts to Look Forward To See all photos Shoes have been an issue at the airport for over two decades. In December 2001, Richard Reid tried to blow up an American Airlines flight with homemade bombs he'dhidden in his shoes. He was subdued after struggling to light the fuse, and no one was injured, but in 2006, the TSA began requiring passengers toremove their shoeswhile going through security.Brian Lewis of the Department of Homeland Security told Carey that if the new shoe tech is deployed at airports, the checkpoint officers themselves won't actually review the images.Read more:Nike's Prototype Shoes Squeezed and Heated Our Weary Feet at CES 2025. Here's What They Feel Like"Everything would be run by automated detection algorithm," Lewis said. "So the officer would get a red light or a green light, essentially saying, are the shoes good to go, or do we need to do further inspection?"The machines are looking for a variety of things, Lewis said, including shoes that have been tampered with, specific material properties and other issues. CES 2025: Best Product Overall, Plus 28 More Must-See Gadgets (and Counting) See all photos The technology relays the image in slices, essentially building up the photo of the shoes on the computer screen, layer by layer. One demo shoe had a metal letter "F" hidden inside, and Lewis showed Carey how the metal letter slowly materialized as the image slices piled up. A scan takes only about a second, and the image is displayed almost immediately.Gummy worm detection needs some workCarey's object-filled shoes showed up weirdly on the scan, as would be expected. Lewis was able to point out the condiment packet and the outline of the plastic knife."I'm not sure I see the gummy worm, so we may need to do some additional development to be able to detect those effectively," he said. CES 2025 Proves It's Still Deeply Weird With These Bonkers Gadgets See all photos When the machine rescanned her shoes without the objects, she was good to go."As we're moving towards trying to get to a more seamless travel experience, we know that something the traveling public would like [is to] no longer have to take their shoes off," Lewis said. "So bringing this technology to passengers is something that we think they'll be really excited about."The scanner is still a prototype, and data from the CES demonstration will be collected and used for further development.For more from CES, check out the best TVs we sawand the most innovative things you can actually order now.