If you own a car, you own a long list of necessary maintenance and potentially expensive repairs, especially if your goal is to keep an old car going for as long as possible. The average car maintenance and repair costs run around 10 cents a mileor close to $1,500 a year if you drive an average of 15,000 miles. And surprise repairs can be a lot worse than thatlike a new transmission (typically more than $5,000) or a new head gasket (around $2,000).If you know your way around a vehicle, you can save some money by doing your own repairs. But if youre not the DIY type, there's still some hope: You might be able to get free (or very low-cost) maintenance and repair work done on your carif you know where to look.Check for recalls and warrantiesYour first stop should be a thorough investigation into your cars warranty, if it has one, and potential recalls. A manufacturers warranty on a car typically transfers to a new owner, so your vehicle might still be covered even if you neglected to check on that when buying it. And certified pre-owned cars also usually come with some sort of limited warranty, so you might have options there.Recalls can be easily overlooked when buying a used car, and they only address specific problems. But if one of those specific problems is your problem, finding out theres one on your make and model can get it repaired at no cost to you, so its worth checking.Pep Boys & AutozoneYou can actually get small maintenance tasks done at no cost at a lot of Pep Boys and Autozone locations, including windshield wiper replacement, free check engine reports, free electrical testing and battery charging, and free alignment checks.To be fair, these are clearly loss leader services designed to get you in the store in the hopes that if they find problems, youll just pay them to do the work. But these are legitimately free maintenance services that can save you a little moneyand possibly alert you to a big repair bill that youll have to deal with in the near future, so you can start making plans.Many local mechanics will also perform these checks and maintenance tasks for free (for the same reasons), so it's worth it to call around and see if thats an option.Goodwill repairsDealers and mechanics occasionally do what are known as goodwill repairs. These are repairs or other maintenance work that are no longer covered by a warranty or other official agreement that are still done without cost to you. Goodwill repairs are entirely at the discretion of the dealer or mechanic, so there is never any guarantee of getting one. On the other hand, it doesnt hurt to ask. If your vehicle is just outside the warranty range, or if you have a long relationship with your mechanic, its possible theyll be willing to do some goodwill work for you.Trade schoolsIf theres an automotive trade or vocational program near you, its possible that its looking for cars for students to work on as part of their learning processat no cost to you. Theres no guarantee a program in your area will be looking for cars to repair, but its worth a phone call to find out. You can find local auto mechanic programs here to do some research and see if any in your area need practice vehicles.Assistance programsIf you cant find a mechanic or program that provides free car repairs, you might be able to make those repairs free by getting financial assistance. There might be local programs that help people pay for car repairs, and here are a few national resources to check out:Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) sometimes offers vehicle repair support, depending on current funding and the state you live in.ModestNeeds.org offers Self-Sufficiency Grants, including grants for car repairs. Theres an application process and eligibility is based on need.Veterans programs. There are many financial assistance programs providing grants and loans to military veterans, and many include car repair costs. Operation Homefront also offers explicit car repair assistance to veterans.

The Apple Studio Display is available with a discount of $300 from Amazon. This discount applies to all versions, so prices range from $1,300 to $2,000. For the uninitiated, the Studio Display is available with a standard glass design or a nano-texture glass design that helps reduce reflections. Theres also a model with both a tilt and height-adjustable stand. The cheapest version, at $1,300, is the standard glass with a tilt-adjustable stand or a VESA mount. The Studio Display made our list of the best monitors, and this is particularly true for Mac users. The 27-inch screen boasts a 5K resolution with a max refresh rate of 60Hz. It has several useful connection options, including a trio of USB-C ports. The monitor also includes built-in speakers and a 12-megapixel camera that keeps the subject constantly in frame, thanks to Apples Center Stage software. We called out the displays excellent build quality in our official review. We also appreciated the bright screen, up to 600 nits, and the accurate color reproduction. The speakers are excellent, as is the three-mic array that accompanies the webcam. The webcam itself, however, is a bit on the dull side. So whats the downside? At the end of the day, this is just another IPS LED display with a relatively low refresh rate and single-zone backlighting. Todays discount makes Apples extreme pricing on this unit a bit more palatable, but $1,300 (at minimum) is still a pretty big investment for a monitor. The add-ons are also extremely pricey. It costs a whopping $400 to add a height-adjustable stand and $300 for that nano-texture glass coating. Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter and subscribe to the Engadget Deals newsletter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/apples-studio-display-is-300-off-right-now-195210809.html?src=rss

Amazon is holding an event on February 26 at 10AM ET. While we dont exactly know what the company plans on showing off, we certainly have some educated guesses. Lets get into it.First of all, the company's hardware chief, Panos Panay, and his devices and services team will be on hand. This indicates the presence of new gadgets at the event. However, the main focus will likely be more information on the long-promised next-gen Alexa.Invites are out! Seems like the smarter and 'remarkable' version of Amazons Alexa is finally launching on Feb 26th. Can't wait to try it out. @alexadevs @AlexaGames @alexa99https://t.co/oQhwGjtySx#AmazingAlexa #RemarkableAlexa #SmarterAlexa #NewAlexa #AlexaLaunchFeb26th pic.twitter.com/eQWv3rE8MY Voice Games (@voicegames) February 6, 2025 How do we know this? Amazon sent out five versions of a bare-bones invite to the event. Internet sleuths pieced the images together and, lo and behold, the background spells out the word Alexa.The AI-infused refresh has faced several delays since first being announced back in 2023. We reported that the team was having trouble getting the updated chatbot to do basic things, like creating a timer and turning on smart lights. These kinds of tasks have been the bread and butter of the current Alexa chatbot for years. The development team has also reportedly had issues with hallucinations.The company claims the new LLM-powered Alexa will be able to process nuance and ambiguitymuch like a person wouldand intelligently take action." Amazon says that itll be able to complete complex requests, like Alexa, every weeknight at 9PM, make an announcement that its bedtime for the kids, dim the lights upstairs, turn on the porch light and switch on the fan in the bedroom. That sounds useful, if it works.That brand-new Alexa would likely benefit from some dedicated hardware, thus the inclusion of Panay and his team. Its been a while since weve gotten updates to the Echo line of smart speakers, so a refresh of some kind is more than likely. Its also possible the budget-friendly and useful Echo Buds earbuds will get an upgrade.What shouldnt we expect? Well, Amazon just introduced some new Kindles at the tail-end of last year. Itd be weird to see an e-reader at this event. Also, while its possible the company could introduce new Fire tablets and the like, that doesnt really gel with the whole Alexa theme.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/smart-home/what-to-expect-at-amazons-devices-event-on-february-26-193513602.html?src=rss

Take your pick from 42 different options, with optional sweetened foam.

ShiftCams Planck SSD delivers lightning-fast storage, perfect for creators capturing 4K ProRes video on their iPhones.

Shares of Fidelity National Information Services had their worst day on the market since 2023 after the company's disappointing guidance.

A viral TikTok video showing an empty book signing for an elderly author tugged at millions of heartsuntil it was exposed as a marketing stunt.The book in question, Just Cuz, was reportedly written by Barbara Miller as a tribute to her late husband, Marv. She wrote it as a way to deal with her grief, the videos voiceover explained. Posted last month, the video shows an empty bookstore with Aunt Barb setting up her books on a table to sign for customers who were nowhere in sight, followed by a dejected but hopeful Aunt Barband it quickly racked up more than 33 million views, sparking an outpouring of support. Hundreds of commenters pledged to buy the book and attend her next signing. @justcuzthebook Nobody came to my aunts book signing, but she still had a smile JUST CUZ #justcuz #books #childrensbooks #fyp #justcuzthebook #kids original sound Just Cuz But TikTok creator Sam Cahn was the first to burst Aunt Barbs bubble. The bad news is that this was fake, he said in his own video. The good news is the book is selling. @samcahntent aunt barbs just cuz book signing was a marketing move (it worked) #auntbarb #justcuz original sound IG/YT: samcahntent Cahn became suspicious when he noticed how new Millers social media presence was and that there was no announcement of a book signing across any of her pages. After calling the bookstore, he found out that someone had paid $150 to rent the space on a Monday, when the store was closed, and staged the entire scene. This isnt an attack on Barb, he clarified. I think shes sweet. I love the success.He did, however, think it was worth calling out the 100% staged video from justcuzthebook. I just want you to know that this didnt happen: Nobody didnt show up to a book signing. The emotional manipulation tactic is, unfortunately, tried and true. My parent did this thing but nobody came to see is always a marketing gimmick . . . but it gets me every time, one user commented underneath Cahns video. Omg I cried my eyes out on the original post, another wrote.On social media, the sob story has become a go-to strategy for struggling artists chasing virality. Pity appears to be a powerful currency, one that can turn engagement into attention and attention into sales. Its now not uncommon to see people sharing stories of professional failure (like Aunt Barb), seemingly in the hopes of gaining support, promotion, and even purchases from total strangers online. And often, it works.This kind of emotional marketing taps into our most basic instincts: If we feel bad enough for someone, were more likely to hit buy (regardless of whether the work in question is even good). Its a crass but effective tool, one that plays on our emotions for clicks. That turn into bucks.So, okay, maybe sometimes it pays to engage in a bit of emotional manipulation . . . just cuz. But lets keep it to a minimum and maybe not use it with matters of great consequence, k?

In an ad that aired in select markets during Sundays Super Bowl, Ye, the artist formerly known as Kanye West, encouraged viewers to visit his website, Yeezy.com. The site originally listed a variety of merchandise, but quickly limited the selection to a single $20 white t-shirt with a large black swastika emblazoned in the center after the ad aired. The site listed the product under the name HH-01, which, according to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), is code for Heil Hitler. Yes site hosted the shirt, but it was sold through the ecommerce platform Shopify. The shirt remained live until Shopify removed the listing this morning, and searching Yeezy.com now leads to an error page. While the t-shirt is no longer available through Shopify, Fast Company found that one reseller had already listed the shirt for sale on Ebay as of this morning, at a huge markup of more than $600. This suggests there is a secondary market for the shirts following a day of sales on the original site.[Screenshot: Ebay]Following an inquiry from Fast Company, Ebay removed the listing. And this afternoon, another reseller posted a listing for the shirt that blurred out the swastika symbol, possibly as a workaround to eBays offensive items policy. Ebay has since taken down this posting, as well.The far-right has used similar codes and hate symbols during President Trumps first term, and that practice is on the rise again. The dog whistles in conservative politics have become bullhorns in the Trump era, Robert Rowland, professor of communications at the University of Kansas, who studies Trumps rhetoric, told Fast Company in 2021.The incident calls into question how retailers should walk the line between upholding free speech and standing against hateful rhetoricespecially in an era when many major brands are walking back their commitments to DEI.Shopify and eBay respond to Yes swastika shirtIn a statement to Fast Company on the takedown of the t-shirt listing, an eBay spokesperson said, eBay has zero-tolerance for items that promote anti-Semitism or hate of any kind. eBays Offensive Items policy prohibits the listing of anti-Semitic items, including any items from after 1933 that include a swastika. The shirts in question are covered by this policy and eBay is actively blocking or removing any listings for them. Sellers who violate eBay policies may face sanctions up to, and including, a permanent suspension.In reference to the removal of the Yeezy website, a Shopify spokesperson stated, All merchants are responsible for following the rules of our platform. This merchant did not engage in authentic commerce practices and violated our terms so we removed them from Shopify.Shopify was aware of the listing by Monday afternoon at the latest, but discouraged its support staff from commenting if any merchant clients reached out about Yes t-shirt, according to a report from The Logic. This isnt the first time that Shopify has faced criticism for accommodating items that could constitute hate speech. Back in June 2024, Shopify appeared to have updated its Acceptable Use Policy to remove a previous ban of hateful content, replacing it with a condition that sellers cannot call for, or threaten, violence against specific people or groups. Then, in November, Shopify drew backlash for hosting a store that posted merch denying the Holocaust and parodying the likeness of Anne Frank.Shopify did not respond to Fast Companys request for clarification on the distinction between Yes swastika t-shirt and the aforementioned listings, which appear to still be live at the time of this writing.What this means for brands going forwardThe HH-01 t-shirt came after Ye published a series of antisemitic tweets to his personal X account, including one claiming, Im going to normalize talking about Hitler, which ultimately led to the shutdown of the account.Ye has a storied history of falling out with business partners due to instances of hate speech. Back in 2022, longtime collaborator Adidas cut ties with the artist after he published a series of anti-Semitic comments. Other brands, including the talent agency CAA and the tech company Kano, also ended their partnerships with Ye at the time.Its possible that Ye expected his Shopify site to go down, and even with the shutdown of the Yeezy domain, he got what he wanted: an attention-grabbing stunt, and shirts featuring hate symbols on secondary markets, indicating either way that the political climate is creating apermissionstructure for hate groups to wear what was formerly dog whistles on the sleeve.While Yes clash with Shopify is nothing new, it demonstrates a need for increased vigilance from companies like Shopify and eBay to screen their listings and act quickly to remove hateful products. Amidst a rising crackdown on DEI policies from the federal level, the onus lies on brands to take responsibility for harmful imagery.

Apples latest Beats earbuds take a major leap forward in both design and technology, catering directly to active users. This article explores five breakthroughs that set the new Powerbeats Pro 2 apart from its predecessors and the competition. The refined design enhances comfort and usability, the reimagined charging case improves portability, the built-in heart rate monitoring system tracks real-time fitness data, the Apple H2 chip powers advanced audio technology, and updated usability features create a seamless workout experience.Designer: AppleA Slimmer, More Ergonomic DesignThe Powerbeats Pro 2 features a sleeker, more vertical design built for movement. Engineers reduced the ear hooks by 50 percent while reinforcing them with a nickel-titanium alloy. This combination delivers flexibility and durability, ensuring a secure fit even during the most intense workouts. The streamlined profile eliminates bulk while maintaining the snug, locked-in feel athletes rely on.The redesign extends to the charging case, which shrank by 33 percent for better portability. It fits easily into a pocket or gym bag without sacrificing function. The case now supports Qi wireless charging and USB-C, cutting cable clutter and adapting to modern charging standards. Every element of the new design focuses on maximizing convenience while delivering a premium look and feel.The earbuds contours blend aesthetics with function, ensuring they sit flush against the ear without disrupting sound quality. This precise fit is crucial for accurate biometric readings while maintaining all-day comfort.Built-in Heart Rate Monitoring for Real-Time TrackingFor the first time in an Apple or Beats product, Powerbeats Pro 2 includes integrated heart rate monitoring. This core feature gives athletes real-time insights into their performance without requiring additional devices. Precision-crafted optical sensors pulse a green LED over 100 times per second, measuring blood flow with pinpoint accuracy.Research identified the ear as an optimal location for these sensors. The placement ensures steady readings without disrupting comfort. Engineers designed the sensors to sit flush against the earbuds surface, making them virtually unnoticeable during use. Whether running, lifting, or training, users can track their heart rate without distractions, optimizing their workouts with real-time data.The Apple H2 Chip Powers Advanced Audio and PerformanceApples H2 chip transforms the Powerbeats Pro 2 into a powerhouse of audio and efficiency. It fine-tunes the sound profile, delivering richer, more dynamic playback. Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) blocks out distractions, allowing users to stay focused in any environment. Transparency Mode lets in ambient sound for awareness during outdoor runs or gym sessions.Beyond audio, the H2 chip boosts battery efficiency. The charging case provides up to 45 hours of total playback, with each earbud delivering up to 10 hours per charge. Users can train longer without worrying about battery life. This powerful chip balances high-performance sound with extended endurance, ensuring the earbuds keep up with even the longest sessions.Smarter Connectivity and Intuitive ControlsPowerbeats Pro 2 streamlines connectivity with Bluetooth 5.3, ensuring fast, reliable pairing across both iOS and Android devices. While Apple users benefit from Personalized Spatial Audio, Android users can access key features via the Beats app. Regardless of the platform, the earbuds maintain a consistent experience.On-device controls make managing music and calls effortless. Users can control playback with tactile buttons or voice commands, eliminating the need to reach for their phone. The built-in volume rocker offers instant adjustments, keeping the focus on the workout. Every interaction feels natural, designed for athletes who need quick, responsive control.Call quality receives a major upgrade with three advanced microphones and a voice accelerometer in each earbud. This setup enhances voice targeting while suppressing background noise, ensuring clear calls even in noisy environments. Whether answering a call mid-run or using voice commands in the gym, the updated microphone system delivers superior clarity.Built for Performance in Any ConditionWith an IPX4 rating, Powerbeats Pro 2 resists sweat and water, making them reliable in any training condition. Rain, heat, and intense workouts wont slow them down. Designed to perform in all environments, they withstand everything from high-intensity sessions to outdoor endurance runs.Every design and technology breakthrough makes Powerbeats Pro 2 the ultimate training companion. The ergonomic redesign improves fit and comfort, and the compact case enhances portability; heart rate monitoring provides real-time fitness tracking, the H2 chip powers immersive audio and long battery life, and smart connectivity ensures seamless control. Apple built these earbuds to meet the needs of serious athletes, combining high-performance features with thoughtful design.The post Five Breakthroughs in Design and Technology That Make Powerbeats Pro 2 the Ultimate Training Companion first appeared on Yanko Design.

Devs Yuya Tokuda and Ryozo Tsujimoto reveal how its new tech impacts world design.