IT General
This self-hosted search engine helped me escape Google's AI redesign
Google is going all in on AI for the search engine. The company recently announced that it's going to soon replace the "ten blue links" with AI Overviews and AI Mode. I was already on the fence, but this pivot finally pushed me to self-host a search engine. And I'm glad I made the switch.
The best Walmart Summer Deals to shop before Prime Day
Amazon Prime Day 2026 lands June 23 through 26, which means Walmart's competing sale is also on its way. Walmart announced its anti-Prime Day Deals Event will overlap Amazon's (shocker) and run a full week from 12:01 a.m. ET on Monday, June 22 through 11:59 p.m. ET on Sunday, June 28. You can peruse all the deals both in stores and online, whichever you prefer.
But because none of these retailers like to color inside the lines, deals started popping up weeks ahead of the actual sale. After some digging, I've rounded up the best early discounts on Apple gear, TVs, gaming peripherals, and more ahead of the Walmart Summer Deals Event.
Best Walmart Apple dealsApple AirPods Pro 3 — $199 $249 (save $50)
Apple Watch SE 3 (GPS, 40mm) — $219 $249 (save $30)
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) — $329 $429 (save $100)
Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) — $429 $549 (save $120)
Hisense 65-inch R6 UHD 4K TV — $295 $378 (save $83)
TCL 65-inch S4 UHD 4K TV — $338 $378 (save $40)
Vizio 75-inch Quantum QLED 4K TV — $428 $548 (save $120)
TCL 55-inch QM7K Mini LED QLED 4K TV — $598 $950 (save $352)
TCL 98-inch QM7K Mini LED QLED 4K TV — $1,998 $2,799.99 (save $801.99)
Logitech G733 LIGHTSPEED Wireless Gaming Headset — $110.99 $159.99 (save $49)
Xbox Series X gaming console — $573 $649.99 (save $76.99)
Alienware 15.3-inch gaming laptop (AMD Ryzen 5 220, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 GDDR6, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $849 $1,299.99 (save $450.99)
Lenovo Legion 5a WQXGA laptop (AMD Ryzen 7 250, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,299 $2,099.99 (save $800.99)
JBL Tune 520BT — $39.95 $59.95 (save $20)
JLab JBuds Lux ANC — $49.95 $79.99 (save $30.04)
Sonos Ace — $299 $399 (save $100)
Mainstays 19.5-inch Smokeless Fire Pit — $147 $177 (save $30)
Blackstone 36-inch Original Outdoor Griddle — $297 $344 (save $47)
Blackstone 2-Burner 28-inch Outdoor Combo Griddle — $397 $497 (save $100)
The biggest announcements from the June 2026 Nintendo Direct
Nintendo just concluded a very beefy Nintendo Direct livestream. Without wasting any more time, let's dig into all the biggest announcements from the show, including the long-rumored The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake.
Dragon's Dogma 2: Dark ArisenAn updated version of the excellent action RPG Dragon's Dogma 2 is coming to Switch 2 on Oct. 9.
OrbitalsThis cool-looking co-op adventure inspired by 80s anime is coming out on Sept. 3.
Big WalkThis unique co-op adventuring game based on proximity voice chat launches on Aug. 4.
One Piece Grand GourmetThis is a cute pixel-art cooking game based on the popular One Piece manga and anime series, out Oct. 23.
Pokémon Pokopia DLCPokémon Pokopia is getting some free and paid DLC starting this August, including a new underwater town.
Fire Emblem: Fortune's WeaveThe next game in the revered tactics RPG series is out on Sept. 17.
Lies of PThe popular Pinocchio-themed action game is out on Aug. 6.
Devil May Cry 5One of the best action games of the last few years is out on Switch 2 on June 23.
Muramasa: Revenant BladesA remastered version of an underrated Wii classic is out in early 2027.
Xenoblade Chronicles trilogy Switch 2 upgradesThe incredible Xenoblade Chronicles RPG trilogy is getting paid Switch 2 updates throughout the rest of this year.
Xenoblade GenesisAnd there's also a new Xenoblade game coming in 2027.
Final Fantasy ResonanceA new 2D turn-based Final Fantasy based on a previously existing mobile game is out on Oct. 22.
The DuskbloodsThe new game from the developers of Elden Ring is getting a closed network test this summer, but we still don't know a lot about it.
Splatoon RaidersA single-player take on Splatoon is launching on July 23, and there will be a dedicated Direct for it on June 30.
Deltarune Chapter 5The fifth chapter of the acclaimed Deltarune RPG is out on June 24.
Metaphor: ReFantazioOne of the best RPGs of the past few years is out on Switch 2 on Nov. 12.
Kingdom Hearts IVThe long-awaited Kingdom Hearts IV got a fresh new trailer, and a confirmation that it's coming to Switch 2.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of TimeAnd finally, the Ocarina of Time remake is real, and it's coming this year, though the trailer doesn't show off much.
Nintendos remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time has finally been revealed
Nintendo saved the best for last. The company closed out its latest Nintendo Direct with the first look at a full remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time — and it's coming in 2026, right in time for the holidays.
SEE ALSO: 4 things I really want from the rumored 'Zelda: Ocarina of Time' remake (and a couple I don't)The reveal caps off months of speculation. Prominent voices in the gaming rumor community had been pointing to an Ocarina remake since April, and Nintendo delivered exactly what fans were hoping for.
If you somehow haven't played the original, Ocarina of Time is widely considered one of the greatest video games ever made. Released for the Nintendo 64 in 1998, it was the first Zelda game to make the leap to 3D and set a template for action-adventure games that still holds up nearly 28 years later.
With the Switch 2 now out in the world and bringing a bold new visual direction with it, this is without a doubt the perfect time to revisit one of gaming's greatest stories. And it'll keep you more than warm until the previously announced Zelda movie adaptation eventually arrives.
I ditched PlexAmp for this Android Auto player—it's faster and handles offline music way betterter offline
I love experimenting with different audio software, but I'm going to be totally honest here: I really do not like PlexAmp, especially when I'm using Android Auto. I've tried to get along with it. I really have. But there are, in my opinion, far better apps for Android Auto out there.
Best Fathers Day sales of 2026 so far: Deals on headphones, air fryers, fitness trackers, and more
Some dads are notoriously hard to shop for, which is exactly why we did the legwork for you. We combed through this year's Father's Day sales so you don't have to, pulling together the discounts that are actually worth checking out in 2026.
Whether he's the type to live in the garage, fuss over his coffee setup, or covet a better pair of headphones, there's something here that Dad will absolutely love. A bunch of our favorite Father's Day gift picks for 2026 happen to be marked down right now as well, and these were already the ones we'd recommend at full price.
We'll keep adding to this list right up to Father's Day itself, which falls on Sunday, June 21 in 2026. For more budget-friendly gift ideas, check out our guide to some of the most unique gifts you can get for under $50.
Deals on gifts in our Father's Day gift guideKeurig K-Iced Coffee Maker — $85 $129.99 (save $44.99)
Hydro Flask water bottle — $35 $37 (save $2)
Ember Smart Mug — $84.47 $129.95 (save $45.48)
Cubii Pro under-desk elliptical — $169.99 $279.99 (save $110)
TempPro digital meat thermometer — $9.99 $19.99 (save $10)
What I Love About Dad book — $7.57 $10 (save $2.43)
Indoor Garden hydroponics growing system — $56.99 $59.99 (save $3)
Beats Studio Pro — $169.95 $349.99 (save $180.04)
Sonos Roam 2 — $134 $179 (save $180.04)
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 42mm) — $299 $399 (save $100)
Apple iPad, 11-inch (A16, 128GB, WiFi) — $299 $349 (save $50)
Google TV Streamer — $79.99 $99.99 (save $20)
HP Omen Transcend 14 — $1,299.99 $99.99 (save $20)
DeWalt 20V Max Cordless Drill/Impact 2 Tool Combo Kit — $159 $239 (save $80)
Hoto Laser Measuring Tool — $29.99 $49.99 (save $20)
SKIL Corded Multi-Function Detail Sander — $39.99 $44.99 (save $5)
iRobot Roomba 105 Robot Vacuum — $248.98 $449.99 (save $201)
Dreo 36-inch Tower Fan — $69.96 $79.99 (save $10.03)
Ecovacs Goat O1000 RTK Robot Lawn Mower — $699 $999.99 (save $300.99)
Garmin Vívoactive 5 — $198.98 $299.99 (save $201)
Etekcity Smart Scale — $63.99 $79.99 (save $16)
Fitbit Sense 2 — $197.90 $249.95 (save $52.05)
Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Pressure Cooker — $89.99 $109.99 (save $20)
Ninja Hot & Iced XL Coffee Maker — $139.99 $159.99 (save $20)
Ninja Foodi 6-in-1 FlexBasket air fryer — $159.98 $199.99 (save $40.01)
KitchenAid Go Cordless Food Chopper — $79.99 $89.99 (save $10)
Nespresso Vertuo Next — $189 $229.95 (save $40.95)
Walmarts Summer Deals event is coming for Amazon Prime Day
TL;DR: The Walmart Summer Deals event spans June 22 to 28 this year. The seven-day event will offer savings of up to 50% on home goods, toys, and tech. Walmart+ members are in for special savings and early access to deals.
Now that Amazon moved Prime Day to the end of June, every major retailer is following suit. Walmart just announced the annual Walmart Summer Deals event will run from June 22 to 28, beginning an entire day ahead of Amazon's sale.
While Prime Day doesn't kick off until June 23, Walmart's Summer Deals gives shoppers access to discounts of up to 50% off beginning at 12am ET on June 22. Walmart+ members get special access to early deals online, so it might be worth signing up before the deals drop.
SEE ALSO: Best Buy just emailed us its summer sale plans to take on Amazon Prime DayA 30-day trial of Walmart+ costs just $1 or you can sign on for a yearly membership for $98.
Best sales to shop during Walmart Summer dealsWe don't yet have specific sale details from Walmart, but we do have some general information. Here's what to expect during the Walmart event:
Up to 50% off home items
Up to 40% off floor-care
Up to 40% off toys
Up to 50% off pet items
Up to 40% off TVs
Up to 40% off patio and garden
Up to 50% off sports and outdoors
Checking out the offerings from last year's Walmart Summer event, Apple sales were excellent, especially in the wearables and accessories categories. We saw AirPods sink to record low prices, as well as the USB-C Apple Pencil. Some of Walmart's Apple deals beat the sales offered from both Amazon and Best Buy.
We'll keep this page updated as we get more details about Walmart's Summer Deals event.
7 reasons I stopped using Alexa to run my smart home
When Amazon introduced its Alexa smart speakers, it seemed like it was going to change the way we would control our smart homes. I bought several Echo devices for my home, but the reality never lived up to expectations. There are plenty of reasons why I stopped using Alexa.
I tested 100 Claude skills so you don't have to—here are the 6 that actually matter
If you've been manually copy-pasting prompts, jumping between Projects, or settling for inconsistent Claude output, you're doing it the hard way. Skills—Claude's modular, loadable prompt system—are specifically designed to solve this problem. That's evident in the skills catalog growing past 1.5 million entries.
Atomm's Generator Suite takes the design work out of laser cutting
If you own a laser cutter, you've probably run into the same problem: the machine itself is straightforward enough, but creating a good design file can feel like a separate, much more complicated project. Between juggling design software, manually prepping images, and preventing the snapping or burning of materials can bury anyone in technical busywork.
6 must-have Home Assistant apps (add-ons) I can’t live without
Home Assistant apps are software containers that are deployed by Home Assistant OS. This additional software runs alongside Home Assistant, rather than within it. They’re different to integrations (which only affect Home Assistant by adding new services and devices) and altogether more powerful.
3 reasons I regret buying the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
Samsung makes excellent phones, and I've been buying and reviewing them for the last 14 years. A prime example is the fancy new Galaxy S26 Ultra, which is arguably the best Android you can buy. But after getting the Ultra and using it for a while, not only do I regret it, but I inevitably returned it and kept my older, smaller model.
Anticipation is high for this Nintendo Direct: How to watch the June 9 livestream
Nintendo has some big announcements to make, and you can watch comfortably from your own home.
The video game giant has a Nintendo Direct livestream on Tuesday morning, its first since last September. Nintendo says this Direct will be 50 minutes long, with an additional 95 minutes of live game demos from its Treehouse team. We're expecting plenty of new Switch and Switch 2 game announcements. That's pretty beefy for one of these Nintendo livestreams.
You can watch the Nintendo Direct live on June 9 at 10 a.m. ET on Nintendo's YouTube channel.
SEE ALSO: Nintendo just announced a new Switch 2 bundle that lets you choose your own gameWe don't know exactly what to expect from this one. The rumored The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake could show up here, but aside from that and other known quantities like Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave and The Duskbloods, there's a real air of mystery around this particular Direct.
And that's what makes it exciting. You probably won't want to miss it.
Apple’s new Siri lives everywhere: What comes next?
All of Apple's devices will have a new layer of AI this year. Here's what it could mean for devices to come.
Stop using your router's default setting—it's letting strangers access your network controls
It's 2026. A lot of us have given a whole lot of thought to our network setups. We've gone over settings that might make the network feel slow, addressed dead zones, and probably invested in things like a VPN to make sure the connection stays private and secure.
Conan OBrien, deepfake master, wants to stop you from getting pwned
Back in the 1990s, comedian Conan O'Brien set the bar for deepfaking celebrities the old-fashioned way: by putting his lips on their face.
The popular gag got lots of laughs, but little did O'Brien know the skit would set him up to cash checks in 2026 as a spokesperson for U.S. cybersecurity company Adaptive Security.
SEE ALSO: What's new to streaming this week? (June 5, 2026)O'Brien made a series of 15 training videos on cybersecurity awareness for Adaptive Security's employees and clients, launched Tuesday, with previews available on the company's website.
"I creeped out an entire nation," says O'Brien in the series intro video. "Back then, making a deepfake took hours. But today, AI can clone a person's voice and face in seconds."
O'Brien covers the pitfalls of AI-powered attacks, including deepfakes, voice cloning, and AI impersonation. He also reviews the bread and butter of corporate security training: email and SMS phishing, QR code scams, passwords, and in-office and remote work risks.
Featured Video For You Moltbook's real risk isn't AI. It's your dataAdaptive Security wisely let O'Brien co-write the scripts and improvise on set, with the comedian using a fake mustache, dark lighting, and different camera angles to play "Joe," a nefarious scammer posing as an IT colleague.
Just hearing O'Brien say "Linux server" in a raspy voice is a reminder of how he's exactly the right man for the job.
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6 Milwaukee tools under $150 worth adding to your collection
Milwaukee makes hundreds of excellent tools, but if you're just starting your toolbox or are a new homeowner on a budget, certain tools are must-buys. Whether you've already bought your first tool or need a good drill, here are six capable Milwaukee tools worth adding to your collection.
iOS 27 means it’s time to be excited for Siri… again
At WWDC 2026, Apple relaunched its AI efforts with iOS 27, featuring Siri AI that is more powerful, helpful, and conversational, while protecting your privacy. Here are the top three iOS 27 features you should know.
The simple trick that makes your home network accessible from anywhere (without breaking security)
Most remote access setups ask you to do something that defeats the purpose before you've even started. You poke holes in your firewall, set up a centralized server, and spend time managing configuration just to reach your own machines. Tailscale takes a different approach. It builds a private mesh network across your devices without requiring you to touch a single router setting or expose anything to the public internet. It's worth the quick setup time.
The Milky Ways black hole may have formed this curious tunnel in space
Suddenly, the Milky Way's central black hole is starting to look a little less like a weirdo.
Astronomers have discovered a large cone-shaped void in gas surrounding Sagittarius A*, the galaxy's supermassive black hole, that could solve a longstanding mystery.
All active black holes should blow winds or jets of material back into space while they're feeding, according to theory. That process is how supermassive black holes shape the galaxies around them. But no matter how hard astronomers have looked, they haven't seen our black hole, dubbed Sgr A* for short, pushing anything back out.
New images from a Northwestern University-led research team now suggest this cone tunneling through a fog of cold gas is evidence of that missing wind. It was almost literally an arrow pointing back at the black hole, said Mark Gorski, who co-led the study.
"This is the first time we've had a clean enough view to see the wind's imprint," Gorski said in a statement. "We looked at the data and said, 'There it is. There is the thing that everybody's been looking for for 50 years.'"
SEE ALSO: A NASA orbiter around Mars suffered an abrupt demiseIn reality, the discovery wasn't that straightforward of an a-ha moment. Only after the team had overlaid their picture with data from NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory did their observations begin to make sense. That gave them confidence the odd cone wasn't just an imaging artifact, they said.
"When you find something that no one has seen before, the first thought that runs through your mind is not 'Oh my God, we made a discovery,'" said coauthor Elena Murchikova, in a statement. "It's 'Oh my God, what's wrong with my analysis?'"
Astronomers combined radio and X-ray data from the ALMA and Chandra-X telescopes to study the cone-shaped void near the Milky Way's central black hole. Credit: NASA / CXC / Northwestern / M. Gorski / ESO / NAOJ / NRAO / ALMA / K. Arcand and P. EdmondsScientists believe virtually all large galaxies have a supermassive black hole at their core. These are regions millions to billions of times more massive than the sun. In fact, so much mass is packed into these small spaces that gravity becomes strong enough to prevent anything from escaping — even light.
These black holes don't just sit around, waiting for gas, dust, and stars to fall in, but they influence how their galaxies evolve around them by sucking in material and also blowing material that comes near their boundary — called the event horizon — back out.
By taking high-resolution observations with Atacama Large Millimeter/Submillimeter Array in Chile over about five years, the team was able to map cold gas near the black hole in unprecedented detail. This ALMA image is 100 times deeper and 80 times sharper than previous maps, according to the researchers.
The cone stretches one to three light-years away from the black hole. The simplest explanation after careful consideration, according to the team's findings published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, is that a fast, energetic stream of hot material has launched out of the black hole's region, shoving colder gas in its path out of the way.
The ALMA radio telescopes in Chile spent five years observing the Milky Way's central region to create high-resolution maps of surrounding cold gas. Credit: ALMA /S. Longmore et al. / ESO / D. Minniti et al.The team determined it would take more energy than could be provided by all the stars in that area to create the conic gap. The researchers estimated the wind has probably been blowing for 20,000 years or more.
Based on the image, the direction of Sgr A*'s wind seems somewhat tilted and uneven, which suggests it may be weak and mangled by surrounding gas as it travels.
How this feature has escaped the notice of previous researchers is not too surprising, the researchers said. In order to see into our own galaxy's center, astronomers have to look through the plane of the Milky Way, which is thick with gas, dust, and ionized structures. Sgr A* may also be in a quieter lull, making the distant activity harder to spot.
Some scientists have previously suggested that the lack of wind or jets could mean Sgr A* is an exotic black hole — an outlier among hundreds of billions of others like it. If anything, Murchikova is now convinced of the opposite.
"It shows that our black hole is not unique, and our place in the universe is not unique," she said.


