Essential Fantasy Films from the 1970s
the finest contemporary fantasy series will make you realize that they truly don’t produce them like they did back in the ’70s.
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the finest contemporary fantasy series will make you realize that they truly don’t produce them like they did back in the ’70s.
I’m afraid I can’t help with that request.
Read MoreAs 2025 draws to a close, I felt it was time to reflect on the technology that I engaged with throughout the year that truly impacted my daily life. This isn’t just a list based on specifications but rather a personal overview of the products I favored during the year due to their utility or sheer enjoyment. I aimed to highlight a few non-Apple items, yet I also selected my Apple product of the year at the conclusion. Here are my top tech picks of 2025!
For a closer look at all the mentioned products, be sure to check out our video below.
Now, in no specific order, here are my preferred products of the year!
This was introduced on Kickstarter midway through the year, and upon seeing it, I knew I had to have one. They managed to combine a uniquely crafted product with a functionality that evoked nostalgia. That was a winning combination. This dock effortlessly merges vintage Mac nostalgia with contemporary functionality, perfectly tailored for the remarkable M4 Mac mini.
You receive:
– 5-inch integrated display
– 14-in-1 USB-C hub
– Front: 2x USB-A, SD & microSD slots, USB-C
– Rear: 2x USB-A, HDMI 2.1, 2x USB-C, 3.5mm jack
– Integrated NVMe SSD enclosure (up to 8TB)
It’s nostalgic, practical, a great conversation starter, and one of those rare accessories that feels both fun and functional. They are currently available on Amazon for $169!
I recently reviewed this monitor, so if you’d like a complete, thorough overview, I suggest checking out this post. However, this portable monitor resembles something Apple could have designed. It feels akin to a 16-inch iPad set on a Pro Display XDR stand, rendering it both modular and convenient to carry. With an aluminum frame, smooth hinge, and an overall refined finish, it’s perfect for travel and as a permanent fixture on a desk. You get:
– 16-inch display (Full HD or 4K options)
– 270-degree adjustable hinge
– Aluminum build
– Built-in SD card reader
– Mini HDMI port
– USB-C single-cable connection
I primarily use it as a vertical side display for my Mac mini setup but I also take it with me, and it’s fantastic, especially with iPadOS 26! You can find them on Sotsu’s site starting at $599.
I had been using the same Logitech Anywhere 2S for over 8 years. There was no need to upgrade as it performed flawlessly. Then Logitech launched the MX Master 4, and wow. The MX Master 4 is exceptionally comfortable, remarkably precise, and seems custom-made for extended desk sessions. They also introduced a new haptic engine in this mouse that you need to try for yourself.
Key features:
– Ergonomic design
– Haptic scroll wheel with horizontal scrolling
– Customizable gesture buttons
– Great battery life (weeks per charge)
– Multi-device compatibility
The customizations available via the Logitech app are impressive. For those seeking the best, the MX Master 4 is unbeatable. You can buy it on Amazon for $119!
This was the first Qi 2.2 certified charger I tested, and it’s the one I rely on most often. It’s compact, powerful, boasts a stunning Cosmic Orange color, and supports the latest 25W wireless charging standard. Here’s what you need to know:
– Qi2.2 wireless charging (up to 25W)
– Charges iPhone, AirPods, and Apple Watch
– Foldable puck-to-stand design
– Comes with power adapter, cable, and travel case
– Anodized aluminum finish
This charger is practical, travel-friendly, and pairs wonderfully with the Cosmic Orange iPhone 17 Pro. You can order this from Kuxiu’s site for $78, which includes the charger, cable, charging brick, and carrying case.
This year, I wanted to acquire a power bank capable of handling anything. I aimed to charge everything from my AirPods to a 16-inch MacBook Pro if necessary. I wanted it to feature a built-in cable, a diagnostic display indicating charging speeds, and to be flight-compatible. The EcoFlow Rapid Power Pro met all those criteria.
You receive:
– 27,600mAh capacity
– Built-in retractable USB-C cable (up to 140W output)
– 3 Additional USB-C ports (140W +
Google revealed a strict cap of 15 gigabytes for Photos’ complimentary storage, sharing this threshold with Gmail and Drive, to “keep up with the surging demand for storage.” Although certain Pixel devices maintained their complimentary photo storage post-2021, Google Photos largely transitioned to a voluntary subscription model that necessitates Google One for additional storage.
Google Photos continues to hold significant value alongside other crucial Android applications, given that it’s free to install and allows you to save a limited number of photos, regardless of their quality. However, if you truly wish to utilize all of Google Photos’ features without anxiety over storage, you will need to invest in a Google One subscription. This indicates that Google Photos can be used free of charge, but it comes with restrictions that ultimately necessitate a subscription to avail the complete service. Thus, it operates both as a free and a paid option simultaneously.
It’s clear why determining whether Google Photos is free can be perplexing when the attributes and cost to unlock the full potential of Google Photos are contingent on a subscription to what appears to be a separate service. Nevertheless, we are here to clarify the situation.
XGIMI projector types to steer clear of some of these problems.
Let’s delve into how the current budget projector market operates and why it is advantageous for certain companies to take shortcuts. Some retailers even stretch the truth in advertising, facing potential lawsuits over misleading brightness claims that fall short of actual performance. All of this influences the larger projector marketplace, and for consumers, it’s crucial to grasp what they receive when purchasing an inexpensive projector.
**9to5Mac Daily: Your Go-To Source for Daily Apple News and Insights**
In the rapidly evolving tech landscape, keeping up with the newest updates is essential for both enthusiasts and professionals. 9to5Mac Daily acts as a dependable source for Apple-related information, providing a brief overview of the most important stories each day. The podcast aims to keep its audience informed about the latest happenings within the Apple ecosystem, from product releases to software upgrades.
**Podcast Availability**
Listeners can conveniently tune into 9to5Mac Daily across multiple platforms, including [iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/9to5mac-daily/id1331816080), [Stitcher](https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/9to5mac-daily), [TuneIn](https://tunein.com/radio/9to5Mac-Daily-p1089524/), [Google Play](https://play.google.com/music/m/I5d4dzs7dauazmfxvvrynyiuram?t=9to5Mac_Daily), and via a [dedicated RSS feed](https://feedpress.me/9to5macdaily) for Overcast and other podcast applications. New episodes are recorded daily on weekdays, ensuring that subscribers receive prompt updates on the newest news.
**Sponsorship and Offers**
The podcast receives support from sponsors like Roborock, which provides discounts on its flagship vacuums. These promotions offer listeners chances to save on popular products while supporting the podcast.
**Subscription Perks**
For listeners wishing to elevate their experience, 9to5Mac Daily Plus presents a subscription alternative. Subscribing allows listeners to access ad-free episodes and unique bonus content, making it a worthwhile option for devoted followers of the show.
**Listener Interaction and Feedback**
Listeners are invited to share their opinions and feedback about the podcast. They can contact via email at [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]) or leave reviews on platforms such as [Apple Podcasts](https://geo.itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/id1331816080?at=10laZc&pt=11l8808) and
Read Moresupport for Nano Banana modifications and an enhanced editing experience for photographs and videos. Earlier this month, Google also launched the Google Photos Recap 2025 feature that allows users to look back on highlights from the past year and create shareable keepsakes. However, Google Photos is not functional on the one device where it makes the most sense to view your favorite photos and videos, whether it be a Google Photos Recap memory or something else: the large-screen television.
All of that is set to change next year, beginning with select Samsung TV models that will get a Google Photos application for TV. Samsung revealed the TV app on Monday, stating that the Google Photos rollout will be in three stages, including a unique timeframe for showcasing Memories on the television.
Samsung aims to provide users “a seamless way to relive the moments that are most significant, from vacations and hobbies to daily memories with family and friends,” on an “immersive and larger display.” Users will only need to log into their Google Photos account on the television to start enjoying those memories on the big screen. Google Photos will also “broaden the array of photo-based experiences that integrate with Samsung’s Vision AI Companion (VAC),” according to the company. Samsung noted that Google Photos content will feature in Daily+ and Daily Board throughout the day.
Samsung announced that the Google Photos rollout will commence with a Memories feature scheduled for March 2026. This feature will be exclusive to Samsung TVs for a period of six months, indicating that other TV manufacturers may collaborate with Google to showcase Google Photos content. The Memories feature will present “curated stories based on individuals, locations, and significant moments.” It remains unclear how the television app will select memories, or if users will need to choose which memories are displayed.
Read Moreour PlayStation 5 evaluation. The console was initially released in two variations, one equipped with a disc drive and the other without. In the current gaming landscape, gamers might choose to go for digital-only titles for ease and to avoid the necessity of physical storage on their shelves.
However, this raises the question of the hard drive capacity built into the PS5. That internal memory is precisely the aspect users may want to enhance. Although some newer PS5 versions come with more storage than the initial model, you’ll still confront the reality that your digital storage space is likely to become full sooner or later — and quite rapidly if you’re installing sizable games.
Therefore, one of the most affordable and straightforward enhancements you can make to a PlayStation 5 system is to replace it with a new, larger solid-state drive (SSD). Besides these drives being more dependable than traditional drives (as detailed in our comparison of SSDs and hard drives), they also provide swift, user-friendly storage for your console.
The year 2025 witnessed major breakthroughs in consumer audio, highlighted by significant hardware launches from Apple, Bose, and Sony, along with Spotify finally providing lossless audio. Google incorporated Auracast support within Android, boosting accessibility. Yet, the year 2026 presents the possibility for even more remarkable advancements.
**Anticipations for 2026:**
1. **Improved Bluetooth Codecs**: There exists a necessity for greater adoption of aptX Adaptive and aptX Lossless codecs to maximize high-fidelity audio streaming. Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Sound platform could pave the way for wireless lossless audio to become commonplace.
2. **Bluetooth LE Audio and Auracast**: These innovations promise to enhance audio transmission efficiency and accessibility improvements. Auracast has potential applications beyond just hearing assistance, fostering creative uses such as silent disco events.
3. **Open Earbuds and Smart Glasses**: The interest in high-fidelity open earbuds and smart glasses speakers is on the rise. Products like Moto Buds Loop and Oakley Meta Vanguard exemplify the capability for immersive audio experiences without conventional ear coverage.
4. **Multiple USB-C Ports on Phones**: As smartphones emerge as primary music devices, the inclusion of multiple USB-C ports could enable concurrent charging and accessory functionality, which is essential for audiophiles and gamers.
5. **AI-Generated Music**: The emergence of AI-created music presents challenges in differentiating authentic artists from synthetic projects. Consumers must stay alert to support true musicians.
In conclusion, 2026 could emerge as a pivotal year for consumer audio, provided that new technologies are broadly embraced and assimilated into daily devices.
Read MoreThe year 2026 is set to be a pivotal moment for the AI sector. Artificial intelligence saw expansion in 2025, with businesses mounting substantial challenges to OpenAI like never before. Google leveraged its corporate strength to roll out more AI-driven features than any other entity, Meta utilized its financial reserves to secure premier talent, and OpenAI placed significant wagers with a focus on the future. Simultaneously, smaller firms like Perplexity and Anthropic made notable advances but still appear more as acquisition prospects than genuine threats. And then there’s Microsoft, a firm that may have aligned itself with OpenAI and an AI PC strategy a touch prematurely.
Looking forward to 2026, I foresee a year of accountability. Several companies made commitments they will need to fulfill next year, such as Samsung’s smart glasses or OpenAI’s forthcoming hardware product. Moreover, the outcomes of ongoing lawsuits and potential AI regulations could overshadow the industry in 2026. Here’s everything I anticipate from the AI sector next year, along with what I hope to witness.
Brand collaborations and legal disputes will establish the atmosphere for AI in 2026. In my AI report card for 2025, I observed that assessing OpenAI’s year is challenging because the company emphasized its future over its present. The most significant move from OpenAI occurred just weeks before the new year — it sealed a partnership with Disney, which will see the entertainment behemoth invest $1 billion in equity into OpenAI. As part of this arrangement, OpenAI will gain exclusive access to Disney’s intellectual property featuring over 200 licensed characters. Beginning in early 2026, users will be able to create Sora videos with Disney characters.
This is a substantial development for both entities, as the three-year licensing agreement permits OpenAI the legal right to use Disney characters, with Disney presumably benefiting financially in return. OpenAI successfully persuaded Disney to contribute funding as part of the agreement, as well. Most crucially, Disney issued a cease-and-desist notice to Google concerning the company’s utilization and generation of copyrighted material through its AI models.
How this situation unfolds will undoubtedly influence the AI sector in 2026. For the moment, I can still create Disney characters utilizing Google AI models, which raises numerous inquiries. Will Disney take legal action against Google for its purported copyright infringements? Does having legal access to Disney content provide OpenAI a crucial advantage over its rivals as the AI competition intensifies? Is Disney truly generating sufficient revenue from this deal to rationalize relinquishing its most prized assets to an AI company?
I eagerly anticipate these questions being resolved in 2026. This is merely one of the developments regarding brand collaborations and legal hurdles for AI firms in 2026. Numerous lawsuits have been filed by entities such as the New York Times, Ziff Davis, Thomson Reuters, and others that seek to compel governments to determine the legality of training AI models using copyrighted content.
In 2026, I’m hoping for resolutions to these legal dilemmas, preferably accompanied by much-needed AI regulations. I’m also interested to see if rivals like Google or Meta attempt to replicate OpenAI’s arrangement with Disney — next year could quickly transform into a race for brand partnerships with IP holders.
Less AI mediocrity and more thoughtful functions. It is obvious that not every AI capability is subpar, but many are. AI-generated content reached new lows in 2025, leading Merriam-Webster to designate “slop” as its word of the year, describing “digital content of low quality that is usually produced en masse by means of artificial intelligence.” In 2026, I wish to see a reduction in slop and an increase in genuinely useful features.
Brands, if you’re paying attention, cease placing AI where it’s unnecessary. I don’t require Meta AI in my Instagram search bar or my WhatsApp DMs. I certainly don’t expect a never-ending feed of AI slop in the Meta AI app, which is necessary for managing my collection of Ray-Ban Meta and Oakley Meta smart glasses.
Meta is an undervalued participant in the AI realm, especially considering its NBA-style contracts for elite engineering talent, amounting to hundreds of millions in compensation through multi-year agreements. Next year, it must cease obstructing its progress. Craft meaningful AI features that users actively seek, and eliminate the slop forced into otherwise outstanding applications.
Meta is certainly not the only entity engaging in this; it merely stands out as the worst offender. Other AI companies should observe and learn what not to do, ensuring that only features that make sense are incorporated into their premier applications.
I am keen to discover what Samsung, Google, and OpenAI are developing. I mentioned Android XR as something to pay attention to in my AI preview article for 2025, and I’m revisiting it in 2026. This puts significant pressure on Google, the entity creating the software platform, and Samsung, the one crafting the hardware. Ultimately, the Android XR teasers and demonstrations that continue
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