This $399 Wind Turbine Fits in Your Backpack
The Shine 2.0 is a compact, three-pound wind turbine designed for camping and off-grid power. It houses a 50W, 12,000mAh battery and can charge a smartphone in as little as 17 minutes, depending on wind.
Category: Technology
WSU’s Inflatable Apple-Picking Robot Is Slow, Cheap, and Kinda Brilliant
Researchers at Washington State University have developed a novel robotic apple-picker made of soft, inflatable fabric. The arm takes about 25 seconds to pick one apple, a far cry from a human’s three-second pace, but its low cost and safety are key advantages. The team is now working to improve its
Google’s Free Fitbit Redesign Is Coming, But There’s a Catch
Google is preparing to roll out its redesigned Fitbit app experience to users who don’t pay for Premium. The catch? The headline AI-powered “Ask Coach” feature will probably remain exclusive to paying subscribers.
Hackers Claim They Knocked Brightspeed Users Offline
A group called Crimson Collective is claiming responsibility for a major breach at US internet provider Brightspeed. They allege they’ve stolen data on over one million customers and even disrupted their internet connectivity.
CES 2026’s Best Tech: Laptops Get Lighter, Chips Get Smarter
The XDA team’s best of CES 2026 is here, spotlighting major laptop redesigns and a strategic shift for Windows on Arm. The show sets the tone for a year where portability and AI efficiency take center stage.
Linux Kernel Boot Logo Just Got Way Easier to Change
The process for customizing the classic Tux penguin logo during Linux boot is getting a major simplification. New kernel patches ditch a complex graphics framework for a much simpler method, making it far more accessible for hobbyists and distro makers.
Qualcomm Talking to Samsung for 2nm Chip Production
Qualcomm is in discussions with Samsung Electronics to manufacture its next-generation chips using a 2-nanometer process. This deal could be a huge boost for Samsung’s contract chipmaking division as it battles industry leader TSMC.
Barclays Makes Its First Stablecoin Bet, Buys Stake in Ubyx
Barclays has taken its first direct stake in a stablecoin-related company, investing in U.S. settlement platform Ubyx. The move is part of a broader push by major banks to explore “tokenised money” within regulations.
Power Banks Are Getting Ridiculous. Here’s What You Actually Need.
According to The Verge, power bank feature creep is out of control, with brands like EcoFlow and Anker adding superfluous large displays, proprietary connectors, and even Wi-Fi to justify high prices. The $270 EcoFlow Rapid Pro X Power Bank 27k is cited as a particularly bad offender, being too expe
CES 2026: Nvidia’s Robots Steal the Show, Intel Gets a Government Boost
The first day of CES 2026 was dominated by Nvidia’s vision for AI-powered robots and chips. Meanwhile, Intel secured a major government investment, and Uber previewed its luxury autonomous taxi.