IT General

Using Ethernet for every device that allows it is the smart thing to do. You're prioritizing stability over convenience, and if that's fine by you, then you're unlikely to regret it.

Every so often, there comes along a discount that may make you stop and think, 'Is this too good to be true?' Well, when we tell you that, right now, you can pick up the Microsoft Office 2024 Professional Plus software package for as low as $40, we're here to tell you that this is indeed an honest price. Here's the catch: you'll have to use our exclusive code to get the complete discount—but this deal is only valid until Oct. 9.

ChatGPT has been my everyday AI companion since it became popular in late 2022. Even though there are strong alternatives like Claude and Gemini in the market, perhaps because of my early-adopter bias and familiarity with ChatGPT, I still stick with it for most of my everyday tasks. But I've often found ChatGPT's advice is full of fluff and too generic, using buzzwords like "stay consistent" and "prioritize tasks"—the kind of one-size-fits-all advice that doesn't suit my taste. Also, it's annoying to repeatedly include the persona and output format every time you prompt.

My Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 had started running out of battery way earlier than I expected, and I couldn’t figure out why. I hadn’t suddenly started using it more. I was still doing my usual stuff: replying to WhatsApp messages, checking Instagram, looking up recipes, and opening Google Maps when I was heading somewhere.

Windows is hands down the most popular desktop operating system in the world, and while Linux is far from Windows' mainstream appeal, most of the world's servers run on Linux. Both systems have a rich history, and they both draw a lot of inspiration from operating systems of yore, which laid some of the most important cornerstones both Windows and Linux are standing on.

Do you want to start replacing subscriptions with your own self-hosted services? The Raspberry Pi might be a good place to start, especially since you can pick one up for just $35. Here are six subscriptions a Raspberry Pi 3 B can replace, and how much you'll save per year if you do it.

Amazon has been in the middle of a price-slashing spree as the mega retailer gets ready for one of its largest shopping events of the year: Prime Big Deal Days. This means that you get to reap all the savings now and score excellent deals before the frenzy begins. Surprisingly, its markdown on its Fire TV Stick 4K Max is still available, given that it has been at this price for quite a few days, but that means today is better than ever to score yours, as this price will likely change come Oct. 6 when its massive sale goes live (or even before then).

You're driving through the countryside, or you're in an office surrounded by concrete, and for some reason your Google Pixel seems hotter than usual. Not only that — your battery has drained! What gives? Take a look at the signal bars in the top-right corner of your screen. If your phone is struggling to hold on to one bar, that may just be your culprit.

It's easy to fall into the trap of thinking of hardware temperature as one-dimensional: one GPU temperature, one RAM temperature, and one CPU temperature. However, almost every one of those components can actually have several temperature readings spread across its tiny surface area, with the CPU often having the most complex temperature readings.

It's easy to assume an old Chromecast has reached the end of its useful life once you've upgraded your TV or moved on to a newer streaming device. After all, if you no longer need it to stream movies and shows, what else could a tiny HDMI dongle possibly do? For many people, the answer is simply to toss it into a drawer and forget about it, or throw it away when they finally get around to cleaning out their old electronics.

SAVE OVER $150: As of Oct. 3, the Anker SOLIX C1000 is down to $449.98 on Amazon. That's $150.01 off its regular retail price of $599.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker SOLIX C1000 $449.98 at Amazon
$599.99 Save $150.01   Get Deal

Savvy Big Deal Days shoppers know to look beyond the glitzy, glamorous big-ticket items to find the practical or essential items that rarely go on sale. Among the best of these in the early deals we've browsed through is the Anker SOLIX C1000, a powerful portable power station with a built-in car charging cable and a maximum output of 2400W. 

As of Oct. 3, this potentially life-saving gadget is heavily discounted by 25%, bringing its regular retail price of $599.99 down $150 to $449.98. If you travel often, live remotely, or just want the peace of mind that comes from having power on demand, this is the best time to grab one.

SEE ALSO: 35+ early October Prime Day deals: We found live deals on Echo Dot, Bose, Lego, and Fire TV

With a massive maximum power output of 2400W, the SOLIX C1000 can run 99% of household appliances, so you can, for example, keep your refrigerator and freezer running through an extended power outage, or you can take advantage of the 11 ports to enjoy your smartphone, tablet, and computer when all your neighbors are suffering through a blackout. 

But it's campers and outdoor enthusiasts who would most benefit from this power station. The Solix C1000 comes with a solar generator capable of up to 600W of solar recharging, taking the device from empty to full power in just under two hours, so you can enjoy your gadgets or electric cooking appliances in the great outdoors, far from power outlets.

Finally, in the ultimate testament to its quality, the SOLIX C1000 features a LiFePO4 Battery rated to over 3,000 cycles over a ten-year span, offering you peace of mind for an entire decade. 

This is a time-limited deal, so grab your SOLIX C1000 before it expires.

The best deals this week, hand-picked by our shopping experts

• Apple iPhone 18 Pro — free at T-Mobile 

• Paramount+ — $0.99 for 2 months with code p2mcs26prem

• Apple iPad Pro — $1,899 $2,099 (save $200)

• TCL 85-Inch Class QM8L Series TV — $2,797.99 $3,999.99 (save $1,202)

If there's one Google app that has fundamentally transformed the way we deal with life and experiences, it has to be Google Maps. Since its launch in early 2005, the app has evolved, taking different shapes and features, which has made it one of the indispensable tools in my day-to-day life. The app has been constantly evolving, from offering improved Street View features to adding a generative AI layer—and so has my usage.

A federal judge has sided with growing public sentiment that Flock cameras pose an unconstitutional surveillance risk, as the nation continues its campaign to get the tech out of its cities.

In a decision issued Oct. 1, federal judge Sara E. Hill ruled that a Tulsa County Deputy Sheriff violated constitutional protections by using a cross-state network of Flock cameras to track a vehicle heading toward the California border.

SEE ALSO: Bernie Sanders proposes The Ban Flock Act

The case involved a woman named Melisa Kyle, who was arrested by Oklahoma officials for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. Kyle was apprehended by the Deputy, who worked for the Drug Enforcement Administration, while driving through Tulsa. The officer originally stated she was pulled over for suspicious driving, initiating a search that uncovered illegal substances, the Washington Post reported.

It was later revealed that the officer had run her license plate number through the county's Flock database and used that information as sufficient cause to stop and detain Kyle. Flock provided the officer with Kyle's recent location data, which showed she had made a recent short trip across the state and back, raising the officer's suspicion of drug activity.

Hill, former attorney general for the Cherokee Nation, concluded that the officer accessed Flock data without probable cause, amounting to an "unconstitutional warrantless search." It's one of the first rulings to allude to Flock as a sophisticated tracking system, with Hill using the phrase "indiscriminate mass surveillance" to describe police activity.

"Freedom from persistent, dragnet-style surveillance while in public is not a foreign concept in our society, and it is a reasonable expectation that society already accepts," wrote Hill.

Law enforcement's use of Flock cameras and its trove of location data has been under scrutiny for years. Officers in departments across the country have been found guilty of using the system to stalk and harass women and surveil private citizens. Others have used Flock's network to monitor activists, religious groups, and police critics.

Despite these alleged institutional abuses, previous rulings maintained that automatic license plate readers (ALPRs) did not violate the Fourth Amendment. A Flock spokesperson told the press that the company expected the ruling to be "appealed and ultimately overturned," citing existing precedent.

On Oct.2, Senators Bernie Sanders, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Jeff Merkley introduced the Ban Flock Act, which includes sweeping restrictions on the use of ALPRs by federal agencies. In a press statement accompanying the news, Sanders argued the company was "eviscerating the very notion of privacy."

Hajar Hammado, senior policy advisor for civil society group Demand Progress, called the bill a "gold standard" for legislation fighting back against AI-enabled surveillance. "Flock and other ALPR companies have wormed their way into communities across the nation, and drastic, all-encompassing action is needed to root them out."

Google Maps has a long list of useful features for everyone, from drivers and cyclists to walkers and public transit users. The navigation app also has some underrated features that often fly under the radar, especially if you don't know what to look for.

SAVE OVER $150: As of Oct. 3, the Ninja Luxe Café Pro is down to $599.95 on Amazon, $150.04 off its regular retail price of $749.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja Luxe Café Pro $599.95 at Amazon
$749.99 Save $150.04   Get Deal

Sometimes the best early deals aren't just on flashy, big-ticket items like TVs and smartphones but on the kinds of things you use every single day of your life. If you're like the millions of coffee-addicted Americans who start their day with a latte, cappuccino, or espresso, you will love the Ninja Luxe Café Pro.

As of Oct. 3, this ultra-popular all-in-one coffee machine is steeply discounted, down to $599.95 from its usual price of $749.99, so if you're looking to quit your expensive Starbucks habit, now is the time to act.

SEE ALSO: 35+ early October Prime Day deals: We found live deals on Echo Dot, Bose, Lego, and Fire TV

There's no shortage of ways to get your caffeine fix in at home, but too many coffee machines either skimp on quality or else ask you to do a ton of heavy lifting, taking a lot of the convenience out of making coffee at home. 

The Ninja Luxe Café Pro offers homemade coffee without the hassle, thanks to its built-in grinder and hands-free milk frother, which uses a magnetic spinning whisk and an automatic steamer to deliver the perfect microfoam every single time. 

And because Ninja knows that no two coffee drinkers are alike in their preferences, this machine also allows a high degree of customization. The grinder has 25 different settings, for example, so you can dial in your perfect grind for the type of coffee you're making, while the milk frother is equally adjustable, delivering either steamed milk, thin froth, thick froth, extra thick froth, or straight cold foam, depending on your tastes. 

This offer on the Ninja Luxe Café Pro is severely time-limited, ending in the next 12 hours, so act fast to make the upgrade without paying full price.

The best deals this week, hand-picked by our shopping experts

• Apple iPhone 18 Pro — free at T-Mobile 

• Paramount+ — $0.99 for 2 months with code p2mcs26prem

• Apple iPad Pro — $1,899 $2,099 (save $200)

• TCL 85-Inch Class QM8L Series TV — $2,797.99 $3,999.99 (save $1,202)

The start of the month on Netflix means the streaming service has unveiled its list of news movies and shows. Ben Affleck's Animals and Chris Evans' Sacrifice are two of the new movies to watch this month. For TV, Florence Pugh headlines a famous literary adaptation, which is now streaming on Netflix. Plus, Josh Hartnett battles a mysterious underwater monster.

If you've heard people talking about Linux, they've probably said that it's complicated. The thing is, the right distribution changes that. After five years of actually using Linux in my rotation of operating systems, I keep recommending the same three options to friends and family who barely know what an OS is. Here is why they work.

3D printing is easier to access than ever, and part of that is because great printers are cheaper than ever. The best part of 3D printing is that it can actually enhance other hobbies in ways you might never expect, so here are three hobbies that 3D printing can make nearly free once you buy the printer itself.

SAVE $30: As of Oct. 3, the DJI Neo is down to $169 on Amazon. That's $30 off its full price of $199.

Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Neo $169 at Amazon
$199 Save $30   Get Deal

Just because it's called Prime Big Deal Days doesn't mean you have to purchase big items. The compact DJI Neo belongs among the select early deals you should have on your radar, not only because the drone itself is excellent, but also because at 15% off and just $169, it's entering steal territory. 

Whether you're a hobbyist looking to upgrade your kit or just dipping your toes into the drone world for the first time, the Neo offers a feature-rich, affordable option that delivers value without sacrificing the most important qualities of a compact drone.

SEE ALSO: 35+ early October Prime Day deals: We found live deals on Echo Dot, Bose, Lego, and Fire TV

Weighing just 135 grams and small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, the DJI Neo is a compact, flying 4K camera that can dramatically upgrade your vlogs or capture high-quality images and videos for your next outdoor outing. 

Its RockSteady image stabilization software does a fantastic job eliminating motion blur from action shots, so you can get clearer images of your next running, biking, or kayaking adventure, while the automatic subject tracking ensures you're always in frame without having to manually pilot the drone. 

By far our favorite feature, though, is the built-in propeller guards, which do a fantastic job protecting the delicate propellers from accidental contact with branches and other obstacles, so you can fearlessly take this drone places larger, less durable drones would be better off avoiding. 

This offer on the DJI Neo won't last forever, especially with supplies limited, so be quick to save at Amazon.

The best deals this week, hand-picked by our shopping experts

• Apple iPhone 18 Pro — free at T-Mobile 

• Paramount+ — $0.99 for 2 months with code p2mcs26prem

• Apple iPad Pro — $1,899 $2,099 (save $200)

• TCL 85-Inch Class QM8L Series TV — $2,797.99 $3,999.99 (save $1,202)

Hundreds of thousands of autonomous vehicle rides are completed every week across the U.S. Most of them go off without a hitch. But all it takes is one wayward car to ruin someone's day — and potentially threaten lives.

A new California bill, signed into law by California Governor Gavin Newsom last week, will ensure those blips hit car makers harder. Under SB 1246, AV operators such as Waymo and Tesla will face hefty fines if their vehicles block first responders for more than 30 minutes.

The bill also sets statewide standards for AV operators and emergency response departments, including new requirements for two-way communication, company-hired "local incident technicians" that can respond to stalled or unresponsive vehicles, and updated fleet protocols.

"California has embraced autonomous vehicles, but we cannot embrace innovation at the expense of public safety," wrote bill author and California Senator Dave Cortese in a press release.

SEE ALSO: Apple will replace iPhone 18 Pro Max devices with AT&T connection issues

Autonomous ride share operations are booming across the nation. More than 500,000 Waymo rides are completed every week, the company recently reported. Its fleet comprises more than 4,000 cars operating in 15 cities, with the vast majority in California.

Tesla recently launched and then scaled its Cybercab operation in Texas, an addition to its existing fleet of Model Y vehicles and "Robovans" deployed in seven metro areas. The company hasn't disclosed recent numbers on the operation's total size.

But with growth comes growing pains.

Self-driving taxis have been at the center of several viral snafus, including passengers abandoned mid-ride, city-wide traffic jams, and even a dangerously live firework show.

They've also had to weather scrutiny from federal regulators. In July, California representative Kevin Mullin introduced the House AV Emergency Response Coordination Act, which would establish national safety standards for autonomous vehicles and emergency response coordination. Mullin's announcement cited incidents of robotaxis allegedly obstructing emergency vehicles, breaching crime scenes, and failing to recognize emergency conditions in Austin, Phoenix, Las Vegas, Dallas, and San Francisco.

The bill followed a TechCrunch investigation that found emergency responders were regularly asked to operate Waymo vehicles during their day-to-day operations and amid crisis scenarios, including removing obstructing vehicles from escape paths during a wildfire. A few months later, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued a plea to vehicle makers to address a dangerous "pattern" of driverless cars interfering with first responders.