We may earn a commission from links on this page.If you're looking for a flexible option for streaming your favorite content, you'll want to consider a portable streaming device, like a streaming stick or a streaming box, over a smart TV. Narrowing it down from there depends on a few different factors, so I've broken it down into six different categories to help you choose what makes the most sense.Device typeMost streaming devices fall into one of two categories: streaming sticks (like the Fire TV Stick 4K and the Roku Express 4K+) and set-top boxes, such as the Apple TV 4K and the Fire TV Cube. Streaming sticks are a little larger than a USB drive and plug directly into your TV's HDMI port, while streaming boxes are a few inches square and connect via an HDMI cable. Sticks are more compact and portable, while boxes typically have additional ports, such as an Ethernet jack for wiring into your modem or router and a USB port for sharing and playing media. Both come with remotes. Google, Roku, and Amazon have both streaming device types in their lineup, while the Apple TV 4K is a box. (Nvidia's Shield TV and Shield TV Pro are also boxes.) Operating systemPicking a streaming OS can help narrow your device selection considerably. There are four major OS options to choose from, each with their own benefits. Roku's interface is the easiest to navigate, while Google TV offers more personalized content recommendations. If you are already in either the Amazon or Apple ecosystem, you'll feel comfortable with Amazon Fire TV or Apple TV, respectively. Compatibility with your other devicesAnother layer of OS comparison should include compatibility with your smart home ecosystem and the apps and services you use most. Fire TV will integrate seamlessly with an Alexa-powered system, as will Google TV with Google Assistant and other tech in the Google lineup. Apple TV allows you to use your iPhone as a remote and plays nice with other Apple devices. You don't have to stay in the same ecosystem, but doing so is likely to eliminate some friction and reduce the learning curve. Most popular streaming services (Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, etc.) are available across all streaming devices, so there's not much to differentiate here. However, there are some appsiTunes and Google Play, for examplewhose content is restricted to specific platforms. Streaming qualityYou probably want top-notch picture and sound quality for your streaming content, so check each device's specs for which video and audio formats are supported. Most new streaming sticks and streaming boxes support 4K and HDR (including HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision) content, so you get more detailed textures, more accurate colors, and smoother, sharper visuals. Some devices also support Dolby Atmos (for surround sound) and higher frame rates (for gaming and high-speed action). Of course, your TV will also need to 4K-compatible to take full advantage of a 4K streaming deviceotherwise, your picture will be downscaled to your TV's resolution. Connection speedAll streaming devices have built-in wifi and some will also come with an Ethernet port for a wired connection. If your stick or box supports Wi-Fi 6 (along your wireless router), you'll get faster speeds. As Consumer Reports notes, you'll need speeds of at least 15 to 25 Mbps to take advantage of 4Kfaster if you're using your connection for anything else at the same time. PriceA final consideration if you're still not set: price. Streaming sticks like the Roku and Fire TV stick are great budget-friendly devices that you can probably get for $20 to $40, while an Apple TV 4K will set you back around $130 if purchased new.

Acer laptops are getting a price hike in the US come March. In an interview with The Telegraph, Acer's chief executive and chairman Jason Chen announced a 10 percent increased cost for all products due to President Trump's tariffs on China.His straightforward statement is one of the first clear cause and effects of Trump's import taxes. "We will have to adjust the end user price to reflect the tariff," Chen stated. "We think 10 percent probably will be the default price increase because of the import tax. Its very straightforward." Acer's most expensive laptop, the 17-inch Acer Predator Triton gaming laptop, could go up to $4,178 from $3,799.Trump introduced a ten percent tariff to China this month, the country responsible for about 80 percent of laptop imports to the US. While he had claimed tariffs wouldn't impact consumer prices, he changed his tune last week, admitting that, surprise, surprise, they could.Time will tell if all items increase in price next month or only recently imported devices. Chen also shared that the company is considering moving some of its manufacturing to other countries, including the US.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/laptops/acer-to-raise-prices-by-10-percent-following-president-trumps-tariffs-165351758.html?src=rss

The Nokia Lumia 1020 is back, well, sort of. An enterprising tech enthusiast (and Redditor) has stuffed the innards of an Apple iPhone SE 3 into a Lumia 1020 case to create something called the NokiApple LumiPhone 1020 SE." This is a fully-functioning smartphone that, more importantly, looks really awesome.It's more than just an iPhone SE wrapped in a Lumia case. Redditor OceanDepth95028 kicked the project up a few notches by ensuring that the iPhone internals work with a fingerprint reader on the back of the device. They also added a custom SIM card slot and made the Lightning port look like a micro-USB port, as originally reported by 9to5Mac.Modder fits a 2022 iPhone into a 2013 Lumia 1020 body. Everything inside the device is from the 2022 iPhone SE 3, the last iPhone with rounded edges and a physical home button. "The only aspect from the 1020 is the outer shell and display glass." https://t.co/jdMcf7LjCK pic.twitter.com/9FfPixbmsz Antonio Vieira Santos (@AkwyZ) February 17, 2025 Not only does this phone function, it even supports 5G. It also receives OTA updates, which makes sense considering that its, essentially, a working iPhone SE 3. The maker had to move some buttons around to get everything to fit and they took liberties with the camera button, which can now act as a volume key switch or a shutter button.The iPhone SE 3 uses the A15 Bionic chip, so this frankenphone is capable of running modern apps. The gadgets designer says, despite being a one-off project, this device could be used as an everyday smartphone. The only caveats? The Redditor couldnt get Apple Pay or wireless charging to work. But still, look at this thing! Its very pretty, thanks to the design of the original Lumia 1020.after all these years, the nokia lumia 1020 remains one of the most beautifully designed phones ever pic.twitter.com/mez6eXFDbM keshav (@keshavchan) January 27, 2025 For the uninitiated, the Nokia Lumia 1020 came out in the latter half of 2013. It was one of the more popular phones that ran the now-defunct Windows Phone OS, thanks to its signature look and the fantastic camera system. The iPhone SE is Apples budget smartphone and, lo and behold, a new entry is reportedly headed our way in the near future.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/someone-squeezed-an-iphone-se-3-into-a-nokia-lumia-1020-and-it-looks-amazing-162705983.html?src=rss

Both OpenSSH bugs have been addressed, and users are advised to patch ASAP.

ExpressVPN's VPN router now promises to be faster, more private, and more secure. Here's all you need to know about the AircoveOS v5 update.

The legislation would amend Delaware General Corporation Law and could pave the way for the reinstatement of Musk's 2018 CEO pay package at Tesla.

When a hurricane or tornado starts to form, your local weather forecasters can quickly pull up maps tracking its movement and showing where its headed. But have you ever wondered where they get all that information?The forecasts can seem effortless, but behind the scenes, a vast network of satellites, airplanes, radar, computer models and weather analysts are providing access to the latest dataand warnings when necessary. This data comes from analysts at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, known as NOAA, and its National Weather Service.Atmospheric scientists Christine Wiedinmyer and Kari Bowen, who is a former National Weather Service forecaster, explained NOAAs central role in most U.S. weather forecasts.When people see a weather report on TV, what went on at NOAA to make that forecast possible?A lot of the weather information Americans rely on starts with real-time data collected by NOAA satellites, airplanes, weather balloons, radar, and maritime buoys, as well as weather stations around the world.All of that information goes into the agencys computers, which process the data to begin defining whats going on in different parts of the atmosphere.NOAA forecasters use computer models that simulate physics and the behavior of the atmosphere, along with their own experience and local knowledge, to start to paint a picture of the weatherwhats coming in a few minutes or hours or days. They also use that data to project seasonal conditions out over weeks or months.NOAAs data comes from many sources to provide a more complete picture of developing climate and weather conditions. Communities and economies rely on that constantly updated information. [Chart: NOAA]When severe weather is on the way, the agency issues the official alerts youll see in the news and on your phone.All of this analysis happens before the information reaches private weather apps and TV stations.No matter who you are, you can freely access that data and the analyses. In fact, a large number of private companies use NOAA data to create fancy maps and other weather products that they sell.It would be extremely difficult to do all of that without NOAA.The agency operates a fleet of 18 satellites that are packed with instruments dedicated to observing weather phenomena essential to predicting the weather, from how hot the land surface is to the water content of the atmosphere. Some are geostationary satellites which sit high above different parts of the U.S. measuring weather conditions 24/7. Others orbit the planet. Many of these are operated as part of partnerships with NASA or the Air Force.Some private companies are starting to invest in satellites, but it would take an enormous amount of money to replicate the range of instrumentation and coverage that NOAA has in place. Satellites only last so long and take time to build, so NOAA is continually planning for the future, and using its technical expertise to develop new instruments and computer algorithms to interpret the data.NOAAs low earth orbiting satellites circle the planet from pole to pole and across the equator 14 times a day to provide a full picture of the year twice a day. The agency also has geostationary satellites that provide continuous coverage over the U.S. [Chart: NOAA]Maritime buoys are another measuring system that would be difficult to replicate. Over 1,300 buoys across oceans around the world measure water temperature, wind, and wave heightall of which are essential for coastal warnings, as well as long-term forecasts.Weather observation has been around a long time. President Ulysses S. Grant created the first national weather service in the War Department in 1870. It became a civilian service in 1880 under the Department of Agriculture and is now in the Commerce Department. The information its scientists and technologists produce is essential for safety and also benefits people and industries in a lot of ways.Could a private company create forecasts on its own without NOAA data?It would be difficult for one company to provide comprehensive weather data in a reliable way that is also accessible to the entire public.Some companies might be able to launch their own satellite, but one satellite only gives you part of the picture. NOAAs weather observation network has been around for a long time and collects data from points all over the U.S. and the oceans. Without that robust data, computer models and the broad network of forecasters and developers, forecasting also becomes less reliable.Analyzing that data is also complex. Youre not going to be able to take satellite data, run a model on a standard laptop and suddenly have a forecast.And theres a question of whether a private company would want to take on the legal risk of being responsible for the nations forecasts and severe weather warnings. NOAA is taxpayer-funded, so it is a public goodits services provide safety and security for everyone, not just those who can pay for it.If weather data was only available at a price, one town might be able to afford the weather information necessary to protect its residents, while a smaller town or a rural area across the state might not. If youre in a tornado-prone area or coastal zone, that information can be the difference between life or death.Is climate data and research into the changing climate important for forecasts?The Earths systemsits land, water, and the atmosphereare changing, and we have to be able to assess how those changes will impact weather tomorrow, in two weeks and far into the future.Rising global temperatures affect weather patterns. Dryness can fuel wildfires. Forecasts have to take the changing climate into account to be accurate, no matter who is creating the forecast.Drought is an example. The dryness of the Earth controls how much water gets exchanged with the atmosphere to form clouds and rainfall. To have an accurate weather prediction, we need to know how dry things are at the surface and how that has changed over time. That requires long-term climate information.NOAA doesnt do all of this by itselfwho else is involved?NOAA partners with private sector, academia, nonprofits, and many others around the world to ensure that everyone has the best information to produce the most robust weather forecasts. Private weather companies and media also play important roles in getting those forecasts and alerts out more widely to the public.A lot of businesses rely on accuracy from NOAAs weather data and forecasts: aviation, energy companies, insurance, even modern tractors precision farming equipment. The agencys long-range forecasts are essential for managing state reservoirs to ensure enough water is saved and to avoid flooding.The government agency can be held accountable in a way private businesses are not because it answers to Congress. So, the data is trustworthy, accessible and developed with the goal to protect public safety and property for everyone. Could the same be said if only for-profit companies were producing that data?Christine Wiedinmyer is an associate director for science at CIRES at the University of Colorado Boulder.Kari Bowen is an atmospheric scientist and program manager at CIRES at the University of Colorado Boulder.This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

Want more housing market stories from Lance LambertsResiClubin your inbox?Subscribeto theResiClubnewsletter.Pandemic era adoption of work-from-home and hybrid work models has left many office spaces unused, triggering a surge in expired leases and vacant office buildings. Simultaneously, the residential housing market remains resilient, with the number of active homes for sale in January 2025 sitting 25% below the levels recorded in January 2019.Itd only make sense that many of these offices over time get converted into condos and apartments, right?To gain a comprehensive understanding of the current office-to-apartment conversions landscape, ResiClub turned to RentCafe, an arm of property management software giant Yardi Systems.Entering 2021, there were 12,100 office-to-apartment units in the U.S. conversion pipeline. Fast-forward to 2025, and that figure is now 70,700an increase of 484% in just four years.This significant increase highlights the evolving nature of Americas cities that are driven by shifts in living preferences and changes in work habits, wrote RentCafe in its latest report. As office spaces are reimagined to meet the demand for housing, its clear that adaptive reuse is playing a key role in reshaping urban landscapes.According to RentCafe, the office-to-apartment unit pipeline (70,700) makes up 42% of the 169,000 units currently being converted from commercial properties into apartment units. Its followed by hotel-to-apartment (22%), factory-to-apartment (11%), and warehouse-to-apartment (6%).The biggest chunk of this 70,700 office-to-apartment unit pipeline can be found in New York (8,310 units).Not too far behind is Washington, D.C. (6,533 units), Los Angeles (4,388 units), Chicago (3,606 units), and Dallas (2,752 units).From a big-picture perspective, the 70,700 office-to-residential conversion pipeline might not be as significant as it appears at first glance.Look no further than the project at 219 E. 42nd Street in Midtown Manhattan, near Grand Central Terminal. The former Pfizer headquarters will be transformed from a 10-story office building into a 29-story luxury multifamily development, bringing 1,600 housing units to market in 2027.This single conversion will be the biggest in New York Citys history and makes up 19% of New York Citys conversion pipeline and 2.3% of the U.S. conversion pipeline.The 291,000-square-foot office building will be about 540,000 square feet after the additional 19 stories are added to the structure. For perspective, there are about 95 million square feet of office real estate available for lease in New York City alone.Of the 55,339 office-to-apartments in some phase of development in January 2024, only 3,709 were completed by December, leaving 51,630 units that carried over into 2025, according to RentCafes report.Why arent there more office-to-apartment conversions right now?Commercial buildings may not be designed or constructed with residential living in mind. Converting office spaces into comfortable and functional apartments may require significant structural changes, such as adding windows or ventilation, or modifying floor plans. While office-to-apartment conversions can often be done faster, they often cost more than just building a new building.Big Picture: While the conversion of office spaces into residential units is gaining momentum, it still remains a small segment of the residential housing market.

When Brompton wanted to develop an onboard toolkit for their folding bicycles, they turned to British industrial design firm Goodwin Hartshorn. "We took advantage of the bike's foldability to create a toolkit which fits inside the frame," the firm writes. "This protects it from theft and from the elements." "The kit includes all the tools necessary for most roadside repairs in a compact, lightweight unit. Perhaps the most innovative features of the kit are the space-saving double-ended driver bits and the unique tyre levers. These not only make removing tyres substantially easier, but also incorporate 10 and 12mm spanners. "Brompton retails these for $100.

This Tool Swing was invented by Rich Meyer, a Nebraska-based fabricator. It's a way to store fixed tools like vises, bench grinders, chop saws, planers, tubing notchers and benders beneath your worksurface; when you need to access the tool you simply swing it out and up.Turning these two handles locks it into place.There's no word on cost, because there are no units in production; Meyer is looking to license his invention.