IT General

The pace of technological development is frightening, with AI tools doing things we would have barely believed just a few years ago. That doesn't mean newer is always better; I still use several gadgets daily that are 10 years old or more.

You're lucky to get a handful of ports on a new laptop, so it's worth investing in a docking station, like this one from Acer, to connect multiple monitors or other devices. It has a slimline design that fits most laptop bags, and you'll never have to stress about your limited port selection again.

Android tracker tags have improved significantly over the past couple of years, but there are still a few areas where AirTag still reigns supreme. The focus is often put on software features, like notifying you when an item is left behind, but I think the real downside is something nobody talks about: their actual physical design.

The Pixel Watch 3 was only released two years ago, but it's already shedding a potentially vital feature. Google has warned that LTE models of the Pixel Watch 2 and 3 are losing free cellular access to Safety Signal on December 12.

The mechanical keyboard hobby has evolved significantly over the past few years. What was once a fairly niche hobby for gamers and typists has become much more mainstream.

The top story in Hollywood is easily the official merger of Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery to form Skydance. How it will affect the entire streaming landscape has yet to be seen. For now, turn your attention toward things you can actually control, like picking out shows to watch this week.

When I read on NPR this week that people are turning to ChatGPT to tell them how to vote, I shook my head. Here we go again, I thought: another search for the easy way out. Voting is too serious of a right to turn over the thought process to AI.

Then I ran the experiment myself, and while I still stand by my old-world views of doing the homework yourself, I must admit that, barring just voting blindly, AI might be better than doing nothing at all.

Politics has been my obsession for as long as I can remember. In college, one of my top goals was to become a press secretary on Capitol Hill. I got there at 23, the youngest press secretary on the Hill at the time, and spent seven years there before moving into a career in public relations.

Now, in a bit of a full-circle moment, I'm an opinion columnist writing about politics for several sites. That’s why I have always taken the right to vote very seriously, and for most of my life, I prided myself on voting for the best person, not the party.

That self-imposed rule came undone in recent years. I won't pretend otherwise.

But my politics are beside the point here. Because of who I am, and my encyclopedic knowledge of politics, my friends, neighbors and family from all over the country reach out to ask who they should vote for in their districts and states.

SEE ALSO: Who are we expecting to save us from AI?

Until a few years ago, I never would have offered a name or a party. I'd tell them to pick the issues they care about most, go to each candidate's website, see where they stand, and decide who has the best point of view or gets the most done. I tried to be impartial.

So, to see if they, too, could be impartial, I asked ChatGPT and Claude, "Who should I vote for?"

Both gave me essentially the answer I give my friends. Neither gave recommendations. Both pointed me toward finding my ballot, choosing my issues and checking the candidates' records. When I listed the issues, both laid out a side-by-side comparison of where the candidates stand.

That is a shortcut, but it's a shortcut to the research, not around it. So, before I proceed, I won’t be using AI to help me cast my ballot, but if all else fails for you, then maybe it’s not such a bad idea.

I say this with a hint of reservation, and with consideration for how most voters get their information, and that’s through the impartiality of political ads. They begin running ad nauseam the Tuesday after Labor Day and repeat over and over and over again until Election Day.

When you mouth the words coming out of the candidate’s mouth as their ad runs, you know you’ve seen it one too many times.

That’s intentional. Drumming messaging into the heads of voters is a time-honored tradition. And those ads have an implicit call to action. They are built to make you angry or to make you cheer, to vow to vote with or against someone. They can also be misleading and downright mean-spirited.

For many Americans juggling jobs, kids, extracurriculars and managing budgets, those 30-second spots are the only contact they might have with the people asking for their vote. Relying on those ads is not the best way to determine who to vote for, but sometimes it’s the only option available.

Compared with that, an AI assistant that helps you map out a strategy and gives you a quick, organized take on where candidates stand looks like a step up.

I'm not suggesting this replaces the real work. It's still best to read the candidates' own platforms, do your own research and dig into the records. And sure, reach out to friends or acquaintances who might know a little more than you. 

I may be old-fashioned, but I still believe in carefully weighing every candidate. However, for those short on time, getting a little help from an AI tool is far better than being swayed by attack ads, guessing blindly, or closing your eyes and picking a name at random.

There is one condition, and it matters more than anything else. If you take the time to ask the question and figure out where the candidates stand, you must take the time to act on it. Vote. Whether you drop your ballot in the mail or step into a booth, nothing beats the pride of knowing you did your civic duty, and that you took the time to prepare and do it right.

Someday, as AI spreads into every corner of our lives, you may be able to tell an assistant who you want to vote for and it will handle the rest. Don’t laugh, because snail-mail ballots might be the last vestige of doing things the old-fashioned way.

Stranger things have happened. But if it ever comes to that, I'll do it the tried and true way, just as I prefer to research my candidates on my own.

This article represents the opinions of its writer.

John Casey is a columnist at Raw Story, the Advocate, Daily Beast, and Outsports. He's also the author of Love: The Heroic Stories of Marriage Equality.

The application of AI in the productivity space, especially note-taking, has been growing rapidly. We've seen newer tools like Granola and Fathom gain popularity, while established platforms like Notion have also integrated AI, helping users generate transcripts and notes from hours-long meetings. It looks like Google is also experimenting in the space but with a twist—a tool called Google AI Edge Foresight that runs locally on your Mac leveraging Apple Silicon. The company is experimenting with Foresight through Google AI Edge wing, a collection of technologies and tools designed to run AI models locally on devices.

Excel is one of those tools I can reach for whenever I need to organize something, which is exactly why I ended up using it as a task manager. But there's a point where a growing list of things to do stops being a spreadsheet problem and starts being a workload problem. So I turned to Super Productivity, and it has become my go-to when I need to get a handle on everything I have to do.

If you haven't been able to get your hands on Nintendo's special-edition Legend of Zelda Switch 2 console yet, plan on camping out at your local Best Buy next month.

In a press release Thursday, the electronics chain confirmed that some of its stores will have the Zelda 40th Anniversary Switch 2 available in limited quantities on Nov. 5, at its late-night launch events for The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. The system's matching Pro Controller will also be up for grabs while supplies last.

These launch events will kick off at 12 a.m. ET on Nov. 5 or the local equivalent. Best Buy stores in the Central Time Zone will open at 11 p.m., West Coast stores will open at 9 p.m., and so on. You can find participating stores near you using Best Buy's store locator tool.

Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo Nintendo Switch 2 "The Legend of Zelda" 40th Anniversary Edition $519.99 at Best Buy
  Learn More Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller "The Legend of Zelda" 40th Anniversary Edition $99.99 at Best Buy
  Learn More

Gamers who preorder a physical copy of Ocarina of Time from Best Buy will be able to pick it up in person during the festivities. If you already opted to have a preorder delivered, you can change it to store pickup on the Purchase History page of your My Best Buy account.

Featuring gold Triforce accents and green Joy-Con 2 controllers, the Zelda Switch 2 system has been extremely difficult to buy since it first went up for preorder on Sept. 8. (It's set for release on Oct. 29.) GameSpot reported that it sold out "immediately" and spotted reseller listings on eBay with 50% markups. Nintendo has randomly dropped restocks over the past few weeks, but they go fast. At the time of writing, it was out of stock everywhere.

The Zelda Switch 2 costs $519.99, or $30 more than the standard version of the console (which got a $50 price hike this fall amid "RAMageddon"). Of note, it does not include a copy of Nintendo's Ocarina of Time remake — you have to buy the game separately. The Zelda 40th Anniversary Pro Controller costs $99.99, and it's also sold out everywhere.

A physical copy of Ocarina of Time will set you back $69.99, though preorders have been discounted for the last few weeks at Amazon and Walmart (which both promise free release-day delivery). The digital version of the game costs $59.99 and can be pre-loaded on your Switch 2 console so you can play it as soon as it's out.

"The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time" (Nintendo Switch 2) $59.88 at Walmart
  Pre-order Here at Walmart Pre-order Here at Amazon Pre-order Here at Best Buy "The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time" (Nintendo Switch 2 digital code) $59.99 at Amazon
  Pre-order Here at Amazon Pre-order Here at Best Buy Pre-order Here at Nintendo

Every year, Google announces a new Pixel phone with a handful of new features. Some of these goodies never make their way to old models as recent as the Pixel 8. You have options when it comes to bringing your Pixel up to date with the latest and greatest.

Google recently launched Googlebook, its new Android-based laptop platform, and even though the machines are available for purchase at retail stores, some users still can’t get their hands on them. Many users don’t want to spend serious money just to feel the new Googlebook Operating System.

Every so often, after huge savings events, like following Prime Big Deal Days, Amazon keeps sale prices around on certain products (or just forgets to mark them back to the normal price). These golden opportunities are a perfect way to steal a deal that you may have missed during the savings extravaganza, and none may be a better score right now than the AirPods Pro 3s—which are still nearly 30% off.

Save 53%: As of Oct. 8, the Bose QuietComfort headphones are still down at their record-low Prime Big Deal Days price of $169 at Amazon. At full price, these headphones cost $359, saving you $190.

Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose QuietComfort headphones (1st gen) $169 at Amazon
$359 Save $190   Get Deal

Prime Big Deal Days may be over, but one of the best deals of the sale is very much still live.

The first-generation Bose QuietComfort headphones may not be the latest from the brand, but they dropped to an impressive record low of of $169 during the sale, slashing 53% off their $359 list price. As of Oct. 8, the deal is still available in six different colorways. In addition to Amazon, you can also find it live at Bose's website and Best Buy.

My colleague and fellow audio tester, Samantha Mangino, wrote earlier this year about how these headphones are her go-tos: they're comfortable enough to easily wear all day (with earrings and glasses on), sound great, offer excellent active noise cancellation, and have intuitive tactile controls on the ear cups. The battery life is OK at 24 hours, and the multipoint pairing can be less than consistent at times (a common problem with Bose), but for the most part, these headphones punch far above what I'd expect from a $170 price point.

SEE ALSO: We tested every pair of Bose headphones and earbuds. We found 5 we love, and 1 to buy on sale.

Though I'm a big fan of the recently released second-generation QuietComfort headphones, which come with a slightly different design and immersive audio, on sale those headphones are still $319. For getting the most bang for your buck, the original QuietComforts are still the way to go. And they have removable ear cushions, which helps for future-proofing. All in all, at this price point, these headphones offer an excellent value.

It doesn't always feel like Microsoft and Apple are heated rivals in the laptop space these days, but now and then, we get a glimpse of what used to be.

In this case, Microsoft just debuted its own take on Apple's MagSafe mechanism for charging laptops. It's a magnetic USB-C port on the newly announced Microsoft Surface Laptop Ultra, and it works exactly as it sounds: once you get the connector close enough, it snaps right on with the power of magnets.

SEE ALSO: Microsoft's Surface Laptop Ultra is an AI supercomputer dressed as a laptop This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Microsoft is calling it "Magnetic Connect" and is touting it as the first built-in magnetic USB-C port on a laptop. There are similar options from third-party vendors, but they aren't built in. Meanwhile, Apple's MagSafe mechanism uses magnets, but it's not USB-C, so it seems like Microsoft's claim holds some water here.

Probably the most important detail here is that you can still plug any old USB-C connector into the port, which gives it a leg up over MagSafe. Apple's version of this uses a proprietary connector that isn't really useful for anything other than its intended use.

The biggest problem is that the Surface Laptop Ultra starts at a staggering $2,599. Maybe you can live without a magnetic USB-C connector, in that case.

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Microsoft describes Windows 11 26H2 as a predictable, low-disruption update. It's an enablement package that mainly activates features you already have on your PC if you installed the monthly updates. Looks like not much will happen if you decide to go ahead with it.

SAVE $1,302: The 100-inch Hisense E7 Cinema Series QLED TV is on sale for $1,697.99, down from the normal price of $2,999.99. That's a 43% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Hisense 100-inch Hisense E7 Cinema Series QLED TV $1,697.99
$2,999.99 Save $1,302.00   Get Deal

October Prime Day is over according to the official dates, but that doesn't mean the deals are dry. If you forgot about the sale or got stuck in a purchase indecision loop, no sweat, because there's a TV deal in store at Amazon that is well worth some attention.

As of Oct. 8, the 100-inch Hisense E7 Cinema Series QLED TV is on sale for $1,697.99, down from the normal price of $2,999.99. That's a 43% discount that shaves a major $1,302 off the price and marks the best price we've ever spotted at Amazon.

A 100-inch TV is a real treat. Unless you want an art TV, going with a giant model is a great way to turn streaming sessions into an optimal experience. The 100-inch Hisense will be awesome for watching fall's best sporting events and streaming shows.

SEE ALSO: The 15+ best Prime Day tech deals still live: Last chance deals on MacBooks, TVs, headphones, and more

In addition to the QLED display, the TV hits a native refresh rate of 144Hz, which means you'll be able to game all winter on this model. Hisense also used AI Smooth Motion with this model, so your action movies will look better than ever.

Before this lingering Prime Day deal expires, snag the 100-inch Hisense E7 Cinema Series QLED TV while saving over $1,300.

Preorder the new Amazon Alexa Tablets Preorder now Amazon Alexa Tablet 12 Pro $499.99 Pre-Order Here Preorder now Amazon Alexa Tablet 11 $329.99 Pre-Order Here Preorder now Amazon Alexa Tablet 8 $229.99 Pre-Order Here Preorder now Amazon Alexa Tablet Pro Pen $89.99 Pre-Order Here Preorder now Amazon Alexa Tablet Pro Keyboard $149.99 Pre-Order Here

In the aftermath of Prime Big Deal Days, Amazon quietly dropped a new line of tablets now powered by Android with access to the Google Play Store. The lineup includes three new tablets, all with an aluminum unibody construction, similar to the design of the new Kindles.

As you might guess from the name, Alexa Tablets are built to run on Alexa+, Amazon's most advanced voice assistant. This also marks the retailer's transition away from Fire Tablets, likely to be phased out in favor of the new Alexa Tablets.

Here's what we know about the new Amazon Alexa tablets.

Meet the new Amazon Alexa Tablets

The new Amazon Alexa tablets are available in three sizes: 12 inches, 11 inches, and 8.7 inches. The 12-inch unit, the Amazon Alexa Tablet 12 Pro, is Amazon's most advanced tablet yet while the 11 and 8, offer mid- and budget-range options.

All of the new tablets run on Android, an upgrade from the Fire Tablets, which ran on Amazon's native system. This means that the tablets finally have the Google Play Store, making millions of apps now available on Amazon's tablets.

Plus, Amazon has made the Alexa Tablets more functional for the tasks you do the most. Now, they have a built-in Kindle sanctuary on the devices. When you open the Kindle app, the tablet goes distraction-free by silencing notifications, reducing blue light, and stretching battery life.

Here's a breakdown of the tablet models and prices:

• Amazon Alexa Tablet 12 Pro (available in standard or Nanomatte) — $499.99 to $679.99

• Amazon Alexa Tablet 11 (64GB or 128GB) — $329.99 to $379.99

• Amazon Alexa Tablet 8 (64GB or 128GB) — $229.99 to $279.99

The Amazon Alexa Tablet 12 Pro: Amazon's most advanced tablet The Amazon Alexa Tablet 12 Pro is built to rival the iPad Pro. Credit: Amazon

As Apple's iPad Pro features two different screen types, Amazon did something similar with the design of the Amazon Alexa Tablet 12 Pro. The new premium tablet comes in a standard display or Nanomatte, a new precision-etched anti-glare technology. Amazon partnered with Corning to craft the process that makes the nearly undetectable textured glass. It allows you to read in any angle or light without glare.

Designed for the Alexa Tablet 12 Pro are two new accessories, the Alexa Tablet Pro Pen and Alexa Tablet Pro Keyboard. Both turn the tablet into a full work setup for a laptop-like experience.

It starts at $499.99 and is available for preorder now, shipping as soon as Oct. 14.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Alexa Tablet 12 Pro $499.99 at Amazon
  Pre-order Here Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Alexa Tablet Pro Pen $89.99 at Amazon
  Pre-order Here Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Alexa Tablet Pro Keyboard $149.99 at Amazon
  Pre-order Here Meet the Alexa Tablet 11 and 8 Amazon is offering two Alexa Tablets at more affordable price points, the Alexa Tablet 11 and 8. Credit: Amazon / Mashable Photo Composite

In addition to the 12 Pro, Amazon has released the Alexa Tablet 11 and 8.

The Amazon Alexa Tablet 11 is an 11-inch tablet with a 16:10 aspect ratio. It comes with 8GB of RAM and dual Dolby Atmos speakers. Its new aluminum casing comes in matcha, amethyst, and graphite. It starts at $329.99.

For a more budget-friendly option, there's the Amazon Alexa Tablet 8. It's the best size for readers who want to log hours on the Kindle app. It weighs just 329g and is 7.95mm thin. It has 4GB of RAM and an 8-core processor. It comes in graphite, rosette, and teal. It starts at $229.99.

Both tablets are available for preorder now, to be released Oct. 14.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Alexa Tablet 11 $329.99 at Amazon
  Pre-order Here Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Alexa Tablet 8 $229.99 at Amazon
  Pre-order Here

Halloween is almost upon us again, and for those of us blessed with one (or more) 3D printers, it's the perfect time to get into the real spirit of Halloween and decorate your home with things you can't just buy off store shelves.

You can't scroll through TikTok without seeing someone using a pocket mic in their videos. These little gadgets have become a staple for content creators, and the UGC mic market continues to expand.

Our favorite brands are DJI and Rode, but a hot new bombshell has entered the scene. On Oct. 8, Sony introduced the ECM-AX10 spatial audio microphone.

Sony ECM-AX10 price and specs

Sony's new spatial audio microphone retails for $249.99 and is available for preorder now.

The ECM-AX10 comes with a wind screen to cut down outdoor noises. Credit: Sony

This is the first Eclipsa Audio-certified microphone for smartphones, and it features the following:

• Four omnidirectional microphone capsules

• USB-C connection

• Three recording modes: Ambisonics, binaural, stereo

• Weight: 24 grams

• Selfie mode for front and rear alignment

• 3.5mm headphone output

• Noise cut filter

• Included accessories: Wind screen, extension USB-C cable, cold-shoe microphone holder

Sony ECM-AX10 Spatial Audio Microphone $249.99 at Amazon
  Pre-order Here at Amazon Pre-order Here at Sony Pre-order Here at B&H Photo Video What makes the Sony ECM-AX10 different

Unlike most pocket mics, the Sony ECM-AX10 attaches directly to your phone — there aren't separate receivers or microphones. So, you don't have to hold anything or clip anything to your clothes.

It's designed to capture spatial audio, not just voice pickup. It's ideal for recording live concerts and shows, sporting events, travel, and city walks — any type of content where the background noise is part of the ambiance.

Capture the full sonic scene of a live music session with the ECM-AX10 mic. Credit: Sony

The ECM-AX10 houses four omnidirectional microphone capsules and has three recording formats. Ambisonics recording uses four mic capsules to capture spatial audio for immersive and Eclipsa Audio production, binaural recording captures audio best for two-channel headphone listening, and stereo recording is your standard two-channel audio for broad speaker compatibility. Sony has a dedicated Spatial Audio Video Tool app where you can edit the footage and sound that you capture.

The microphone has a built-in accelerometer that automatically detects the mic's tilt angle, so your audio is aligned with your video, no matter your phone's orientation. On the mic itself, you'll find a peak-level meter, a spatial/stereo mode switch, an ATT switch (loud-sound protection), a Noise Cut filter, a selfie mode switch, and a 3.5-millimeter headphone jack.

If you mostly make talking head content in your home, you're probably better off with a cheaper DJI Mic Mini or Rode Micro. But the Sony ECM-AX10 would be an awesome investment for creators whose content focuses on immersive, atmospheric, or spatial experiences, or those who just want rich, full sound in their videos.