2026-03-20 08:34:04
Valve has just released SteamOS 3.8.0 in preview, and it's a doozy.
Not only is it the first release to support the upcoming Steam Machine living room gaming PC, it comes with long-awaited features for Valve's handhelds and more support for other companies' handhelds than we've seen to date - including Microsoft and Asus' Xbox Ally series, the Lenovo Legion Go 2, the OneXPlayer X1, and additional support for MSI, GPD, Anbernic, OrangePi, and Zotac.
The one that excites me most: Valve is adding genuine hibernation and "memory power down" modes to the Steam Deck - though just the LCD model to start - which should help extend battery life w …
2026-03-20 08:09:38
OpenAI is working on a desktop "superapp" that merges its ChatGPT app, the Codex AI coding app, and its AI-powered Atlas browser into one app, The Wall Street Journal reports. The company is making the change as part of an effort to simplify its various product efforts, according to a memo cited by the WSJ from Fidji Simo, OpenAI's CEO of Applications. Fragmentation "has been slowing us down and making it harder to hit the quality bar we want," Simo said.
OpenAI made waves last year with splashy announcements like the Sora video app and buying Jony Ive's AI hardware company. But it has been facing increased competition from Anthropic as of …
2026-03-20 05:25:00
Sony’s WF-1000XM6 are the best noise-canceling wireless earbuds you can buy, but they’ve been hard to recommend over the last-gen model because of the price. While the older version is often on sale for $248, the update costs $329 — and has never before been marked down. That’s why this deal is worth paying attention to: right now, Sony’s WF-1000XM6 are on sale for about $298 ($31 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and directly from Sony, marking their first discount.
Sony’s WF-1000XM lineup has long been among our favorite wireless earbuds, and the latest model simply builds upon what already works so well. In his review, my colleague John Higgins noted they block out noise even more effectively, outperforming both the Bose Ultra Earbuds and AirPods Pro when it comes to tuning out nearby conversations. They also sound as impressive as ever, delivering clean, well-balanced audio with richer bass than their predecessor, along with continued support for Sony’s LDAC codec so music retains more detail. Sony has added a new listening mode designed to make audio less distracting by mimicking the effect of background music in a cafe, which is helpful if you rely on music to help you focus.
Beyond sound and noise cancellation, the buds remain well-suited for everyday use. Battery life remains top-notch, lasting up to eight hours on a single charge or up to 24 hours with the wireless charging case. For comfort, Sony continues to include swappable foam ear tips in multiple sizes, and will send silicone tips for free if the foam ones don’t work for you. That said, getting the best noise cancellation and sounds depends on achieving a secure fit with one of the included foam ear tips, which our reviewer struggled with.
2026-03-20 04:07:54
I admit, this is an innovation I did not see coming: Silicon Valley has invented the philosophical zombie from the classic thought experiment "lol how crazy would it be if there were a philosophical zombie."
Until recently, the philosophical zombie was a concept closely associated with Australian philosopher David Chalmers, who defines it as "someone or something physically identical to me (or to any other conscious being), but lacking conscious experiences altogether." Chalmers' zombie twin is identical to him functionally and psychologically - except that he feels nothing. This is different from a Hollywood zombie, which has "little capac …
2026-03-20 03:47:45
The MCON is the closest to a Swiss army knife that a controller can be. No, it doesn’t contain a can opener, but it makes up for it with a surprising array of features. Once you attach your MagSafe- or Pixelsnap-ready phone to the top plate, pressing a button along its top edge satisfyingly pops your phone up to reveal a full suite of controls, including TMR sticks made by GameSir. The MCON launched for $150, but you can get it for $99.99 through its manufacturer, OhSnap — the same amount that backers paid for the “super early bird” discount during the MCON’s 2025 Kickstarter campaign.
I only recently received an MCON controller for testing, but it didn’t take long to appreciate that its button layout is a bit more ergonomically-friendly than other phone controllers I’ve tried. I’m also a fan of the MCON’s two fold-out palm grips because they make it easier to use the shoulder buttons.
You can use the MCON with devices that don’t have magnets, too. OhSnap includes an adhesive-backed ring that you can stick to the back of any iPhone or Android phone.
2026-03-20 03:08:03
Over a decade after Apple first partnered with Hermès for a special Apple Watch collaboration, the French luxury goods maker has released a new collection of leather-wrapped charging accessories for Apple's mobile devices. The most expensive option is a multi-device wireless charger in a case made from the brand's signature gold-colored calfskin leather that will set you back $5,150. For comparison, a 14-inch MacBook Pro starts at $1,699.
At the other end of the collection's pricing spectrum - which is still far from cheap - is the $1,250 Hermès Paddock Solo charger featuring a wireless charging puck wrapped in the same calfskin leather and …
