Author: Richard

“Overlooked Legal Thriller Featuring Chris Evans: An 8-Episode Series Available on Apple TV”

the finest series to dedicate your time to are found on Apple TV. A significantly underrated addition to the watchlist features Chris Evans in the limited series, “Defending Jacob.” Amid the plethora of engaging crime dramas accessible on Netflix and Amazon Prime, “Defending Jacob” showcases Chris Evans as Assistant District Attorney Andy Barber, whose standing and family are irrevocably altered when his son becomes the main suspect in a recent homicide. Released in 2020 — a year after Evans had relinquished the star-spangled shield as Captain America — “Defending Jacob” marked one of his initial ventures into redefining his image beyond that of a superhero.

Joining him was “Downton Abbey” star Michelle Dockery as his wife on screen, alongside former “IT” star Jaeden Martell portraying the titular son at risk of incarceration. Based on William Landay’s 2012 novel sharing the same title, “Defending Jacob” navigates a space between “Abandoned” and “Gone Girl,” as the series persistently questions the innocence of Barber’s son, who may or may not be guilty of the accusations against him. Yet, perhaps the true highlight of the series was the unexpected appearance of an Oscar-winning actor bringing an even colder twist to this riveting family saga.

J.K. Simmons dominates Defending Jacob

Affordable Gadget to Safeguard Your Computer from Power Surges

upgrading your Steam Deck or fixing parts in other devices typically requires that you ground yourself, as experts suggest. This is due to the potential buildup of static electricity between you and your environment, resulting from an imbalance of positive and negative charges in a material — specifically, your skin or garments. Normally, this static electricity may only result in a minor shock, like when touching a doorknob. However, if you happen to touch the metal or components within a computer or electronic device while harboring a static charge, it can discharge and create an electrostatic discharge (ESD) that risks damaging the part or device you are in contact with. Nevertheless, this can often be averted by using an anti-static wristband.

An anti-static wrist strap, like this $5 Arctic Eagle gadget available on Amazon, is specifically designed to ground you as advised by professionals. The interior of the strap contains a conductive yarn material that minimizes the risk of static discharge buildup or ESD. Initially, you attach a small alligator clip to an unpainted, grounded metal surface, such as the metal chassis of a desktop tower. Following this, any static electricity is dissipated through a line wire — the conductive element — and a built-in resistor with a resistance of 1 MΩ (megaohms) to 1000 MΩ. This configuration, which includes the resistor and the clip, grounds you while allowing any static charge to flow through you, the bracelet, and into the ground — via the clip. Upon reaching the grounded or “earthed” surface, it gets absorbed.

You can achieve grounding without a band, but it ensures steady protection

Selecting Between HDMI and Optical for Your Audio Setup

the introduction of HDMI ARC on smart TVs, soundbars, and AV receivers has established HDMI as a comprehensive solution for transmitting and receiving audio data between a host device and AV components. However, this does not imply that optical is outdated: For those with older home theater systems, it might even be the sole connection available.

Nonetheless, digital optical supports a maximum of 5.1 for surround sound processing. Thus, even if you aspire to connect a pre-HDMI ARC era TV with a modern Atmos-enabled soundbar, you’ll encounter a steep limitation quickly.

Why HDMI surpasses optical

Optical simply lacks the bandwidth required to transmit object-based audio. If you desire those overhead channels, immersive effects, and the entire Atmos experience, HDMI is the only pathway to achieve that. Additionally, object-based surround formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X are not the sole benefits of connecting your sound system through HDMI. HDMI eARC has also played a role in standardizing lip-sync correction and HDMI CEC. This results in a more seamless home theater experience that allows you to use your TV remote to control the volume of your soundbar or speaker system.

In fact, if you intend to set up a fully uncompressed 7.1 audio system or higher — and budget is not a concern — you should ensure that all your home theater equipment is utilizing HDMI eARC. While HDMI ARC can manage stereo and 5.1 surround formats like Dolby Digital and Dolby Atmos, it does so with compression. The only way to experience formats like Dolby Atmos and Dolby TrueHD in their authentic, lossless versions is through HDMI eARC with an Ultra High Speed HDMI cable.

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Ethan Hawke Set for His Initial Oscar Victory with Overlooked 2025 Movie

When the year’s top performance premiered in theaters in October 2025, many were completely oblivious. Featuring a filmmaker who defines a generation, a transformative portrayal, and a star-studded supporting ensemble, the legacy of Richard Linklater’s “Blue Moon” is bound to significantly outlast its brief run at the box office, as both critics and audiences commend Ethan Hawke’s depiction of the troubled songwriter Lorenz Hart as the pinnacle of one of Hollywood’s most enchanting actors.

A heartrending character exploration of a man whose world, artistry, and relationships slip away from him, “Blue Moon” observes as Hart’s mask of witty remarks and self-importance crumbles under an onslaught of sorrow and envy when his long-time collaborator Richard Rodgers, portrayed by Andrew Scott, embarks on the most triumphant stretch in musical theater history with the debut of the legendary “Oklahoma!”. Predominantly occurring over a single night at the iconic New York venue Sardi’s, the film confines one of America’s profound artistic tragedies to a series of urgent dialogues between Hart and his fellow patrons, including a suave bartender (Bobby Cannavale), writers Oscar Hammerstein (Simon Delaney) and E.B. White (Patrick Kennedy), and protégé-turned-possible love interest Elizabeth Weiland (Margaret Qualley).

Hawke’s portrayal is a blend of humor and pathos, as the alcoholic Hart struggles to conceal his feelings of despair and jealousy with a barrage of crude humor, spirited soliloquies, heartfelt confessions, and half-formed writing proposals. Hawke’s performance stands out as one of the finest in his esteemed career. Complete with a combover and an seemingly impossible 12-inch height reduction, his metamorphosis into the elusive songwriter known for classics like “My Funny Valentine,” “Isn’t It Romantic?,” “My Heart Stood Still,” “Bewitched,” and the titular “Blue Moon” is one of the most captivating feats of cinematic artistry in 2025 and truly deserving of the award-season acclaim it seeks.

The imp inside Ethan Hawke

Premiering at the Berlin film festival to thunderous applause, “Blue Moon” showcases an exceptional performance a decade in the making, as the duo have been toying with fellow Richard Linklater collaborator Robert Kaplow’s script for around 12 years. The issue? Ethan Hawke was too much of a heartthrob to portray the small-statured, balding Hart. While audiences may lovingly roll their eyes at the heartthrob’s sarcastic musings about career opportunities lost to his graceful aging, the extended time spent immersing in Hart’s character is evident. By incorporating all the odd mannerisms and personality traits of the quirky writer, Hawke transports Hart straight from the pages of Broadway history, bringing the famously larger-than-life character vividly to life in a mesmerizing interplay of comedic timing and existential dread. What makes this transformation even more intriguing is the stark contrast between Hart and Hawke’s public persona. As Hawke himself articulates in an interview with co-star Andrew Scott on Sony Pictures Classics’ YouTube channel, every actor possesses an “imp” or “a profoundly different character that resides within us, and this one is mine.”

Observing Hawke in “Blue Moon” evokes the sensation of holding an amber-encased fossil to candlelight; audiences revel in the glow of encountering a relic from the past wholly encapsulated within its small, Bourbon-hued prism. As Hart oscillates between incisive theater critiques to earnest pleas for love, friendship, and just one more drink, the façade shatters under the pressure of a world he barely recognizes. However, rather than an instance of existential disintegration, the film balances cynicism with a hefty dose of sharp dialogue and philosophical musings, turning what might feel like a slow-motion disaster into an emotional monster truck rally with your favorite foul-mouthed uncle.

Is it time?

“Blue Moon” arrives at a compelling juncture for both its lead and director. Ethan Hawke, whose career is brimming with captivating roles, is experiencing a mini-renaissance with entries in his “Black Phone” horror series and the television thriller “The Lowdown.” For Richard Linklater, this is his second 2025 film exploring an eccentric artist at a career crossroads, with his first, Netflix’s “Nouvelle Vague,” highlighting director Jean-Luc Godard’s seminal 1960 French New Wave classic, “Breathless.” In both instances, Linklater captures a momentous snapshot in art history, one portraying a legendary artist on the verge of greatness, and the other having plummeted from the heights.

Yet, the duo are far from the film’s only highlights. Andrew Scott as Hart’s reserved and thoughtful former collaborator, Richard Rodgers,

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Indie App Highlight: ‘Vector’ – An Intelligent and Resourceful Spotlight Substitute for Mac

### Indie App Spotlight: Vector – A Robust Alternative to Spotlight

Welcome to the Indie App Spotlight, a weekly series where we showcase the newest innovations in the indie app scene. This week, our attention is on **Vector**, a powerful application crafted to improve your Mac experience by offering a fast and effective substitute for Spotlight.

#### Key Features of Vector

Vector emphasizes speed, privacy, and smooth integration, allowing users to swiftly locate what they are searching for. In contrast to Spotlight, which frequently encounters accuracy issues, Vector assures that when you input an app name and press enter, you will get the precise result you desire.

Here are some of the prominent features that render Vector a compelling option:

– **Semantic Search for Messages and Files**: Utilizing an on-device model tailored for Apple Silicon, Vector harnesses the Neural Engine to provide precise search outcomes for messages and files. You can search using keywords or broad phrases, simplifying the process of finding pertinent texts and documents.

– **Clipboard Manager**: Effortlessly keep track of your copied items.

– **Emoji Picker**: Quickly access and embed emojis into your messages and documents.

– **Weather and Calendar Widgets**: Stay updated on approaching meetings and weather conditions at a glance.

– **Wikipedia Search**: Conveniently access information from Wikipedia without leaving the app.

– **Maps Integration**: Retrieve directions and location data directly from your search outcomes.

Additionally, Vector incorporates a calculator and currency conversion feature, all reachable from a handy search bar positioned in the bottom right corner of your Mac, which can be adjusted as necessary.

#### Getting Vector

Vector is available for all Apple Silicon Macs operating on macOS Tahoe. You can acquire it on

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The Significance of Selecting the Appropriate USB Port on Your Computer

When you prepare to connect an external hard drive or USB flash drive to your preferred device, a decision awaits you. This is because most computers feature several USB ports, and even though they adhere to the same standards, they aren’t all identical. You can attach a USB-A device to any Type-A port, but whether the outcomes differ is another matter. Is it important which USB port you choose? Technically, no. However, in some cases, yes.

The most frequently used USB ports nowadays comprise USB Type-A, typically found on computers and laptops, along with USB Type-C, which appears on smartphones and portable devices. Other types like USB-B, USB Mini, and USB Micro are less commonly encountered in consumer-grade computers. This discussion will emphasize USB Type-A ports.

Contemporary computers generally provide various USB-A ports of different specifications. Depending on their manufacturing date, they may range from older versions like USB 2.0 to more recent ones like USB 3.1. They offer universal compatibility, yet connecting a modern device to an older port might significantly influence your experience. For instance, file transfers are considerably slower over a USB 2.0 connection, especially if the connected device is engineered for the quicker, modern USB speeds. Therefore, while the specific port may not be crucial for performing the task, since every USB Type-A port will operate adequately with USB Type-A connectors, utilizing an outdated port could impede communication and prolong file transfers significantly.

The significant distinction between USB Type-A ports on your device

Four Techniques to Avoid OLED Screen Burn-In

OLED displays operate differently than conventional LCD or LED screens: Each pixel on an OLED display generates its own light, removing the requirement for a separate backlight. This enhances contrast and results in deeper blacks. Since individual pixels can be controlled autonomously, they can be completely turned off to produce true blacks, a characteristic many consumers cite as the primary motivation for switching to OLED.

However, this technology has a significant downside. These screens utilize carbon-based materials that deteriorate over time. When a cluster of pixels ages faster than others, it can result in a faint, ghostly image overlaying what should be visible on the display. Progress is being made to eradicate OLED burn-in, but for now, you can make modifications to possibly slow the decline.

Modify your TV configurations

Five Notable US Space Missions Carried Out Beyond NASA

government-supported NASA space explorations to the moon and further likely spring to mind. However, underneath those well-known images exists a different narrative, where U.S. space initiatives operate completely independently of NASA. We refer to covert military experiments such as the X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle, the commercial arrays of Earth-observing CubeSats, suborbital adventure experiences, and even demonstrations of asteroid mining technology. These daring endeavors are reaching orbit and beyond under their own flags.

These missions do not depend on NASA’s support. They are autonomous initiatives that utilize innovative technologies, cater to emerging markets, and redefine what “traveling to space” entails. As the expanse of space extends beyond government dominance, it’s essential to highlight some remarkable U.S. missions. These groundbreaking missions successfully navigated around the renowned space agency altogether. By doing this, they foreshadowed the forthcoming era of space: managed by private firms, military advancements, and infrastructure systems, rather than the traditional astronaut-agency framework.

X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle – U.S. Space Force (2010 – present)

The X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle of the U.S. Space Force stands as one of the most sophisticated space planes ever launched by the U.S. This test unit and its missions operate completely outside NASA’s jurisdiction. Crafted by Boeing, the X-37B took its inaugural flight in 2010 as a reusable spaceplane with no crew onboard. The vehicle represents a hybrid between a satellite and a spacecraft. It can remain in Earth’s orbit for extended periods before needing to return. The missions assigned to the X-37B are generally classified, so detailed information about its operations remains limited. Nonetheless, each mission marks progress toward realizing reusable space technology.

The most recent mission, designated

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How to Duplicate Your Smartphone Display to Your Roku Television

standalone streaming devices, enabling you to duplicate your smartphone display onto your home’s largest screen.

Mirroring your mobile device to your television can be useful in many scenarios. Instead of gathering around your phone’s small display, you and your companions can easily view your vacation pictures together. Gaming also becomes significantly enhanced with a bigger and clearer display. If you have apps exclusive to your phone, mirroring allows you to see them on a screen that is not your phone.

But how do you actually project your smartphone screen to your Roku TV? It’s surprisingly straightforward, and it’s one of the top Roku TV tips you should be aware of to optimize your entertainment experience. Here’s how to accomplish it.

How to mirror your Android device to your Roku TV

Roku TVs let you share your Android phone screen with the TV in two methods: mirroring or casting. Mirroring shows your entire screen, while casting displays only the content you choose to share. Neither method requires specific Roku TV applications. Follow these steps to project your Android onto your Roku TV:

  1. Ensure both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network:
    1. To check this on Roku, access Settings, choose Network, and navigate to About.
    2. On Android, swipe down to bring up Quick Settings. The Wi-Fi symbol typically indicates the network you are connected to.
  2. To share your complete Android phone screen:
      <

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The Operation and Features of Wireless EV Charging

Wireless charging for devices has been available in the commercial market since around 2009, with smartphones being one of the most widely embraced categories for this technology, along with smartwatches and wireless earbuds. For example, the iPhone 17 utilizes Air Fast Charging to wirelessly receive power rather than requiring a wired connection. The rise of this technology has stimulated a growing market for wireless charging solutions, such as Satechi’s wireless charging pads and Mophie’s wireless charging stands. Although wireless charging has not replaced conventional charging techniques, it is an intriguing concept that might one day simplify power maintenance significantly. A significant advancement toward that potential future: If a device larger than a phone, like an electric vehicle (EV), could be charged wirelessly.

Following in the footsteps of smartphones, EVs have started to adopt wireless charging, with the 2026 Porsche Cayenne Electric serving as a notable example. Similar to how a smartphone recharges on a compact pad, this new EV recharges its battery when parked over a relatively small mat on the ground. Charging a vehicle presents a different challenge compared to charging a phone, but the inductive charging technology is largely the same and, based on initial evaluations, appears to function effectively.

Inductive charging transmits energy via a magnetic field.

The wireless charging system in the 2026 Porsche Cayenne Electric employs the inductive charging methodology, akin to that utilized by smaller rechargeable gadgets like smartphones or electric toothbrushes. To clarify, two main types of wireless charging exist: inductive charging and magnetic resonance charging. Both methods operate similarly, albeit with some key variations.

Both types of wireless charging initiate by drawing power from an outlet and converting it to magnetic waves. These waves create a small magnetic field within a wire coil on the charging pad. When a device equipped with the necessary receiving coils enters this magnetic field, a current is generated, converting the magnetic waves back into electricity and transferring it to the device’s battery.

The distinction between the two wireless charging methods is that inductive charging requires the transmitting and receiving coils in the charging pad and device to be aligned to transfer energy, meaning the device must be positioned directly on top. Magnetic resonance charging, on the other hand, produces a sufficiently large field that any receiver coil within its range can absorb energy from it, allowing multiple devices to charge simultaneously.

An inductive charging pad can achieve speeds comparable to a traditional EV charger.

While the 2026 Porsche Cayenne Electric utilizes the same charging technology as a wirelessly-charging smartphone, the key question is its practical efficacy. After all, the last thing anyone would want is a sophisticated charging system that is unreliable when needed. Based on initial tests conducted by Car and Driver’s Austin Irwin, the charging mechanism used by the Cayenne Electric appears to be quite dependable.

The wireless charger employed by the Cayenne Electric consists of a specially crafted base plate. This plate is positioned on the ground, beneath which the vehicle drives and parks. Inside the vehicle is a DC charging unit that connects directly to the car’s battery and liquid-cooling system. This unit acts as the receiver coil within the setup, drawing 11 kilowatts of power from the magnetic field created by the base plate — approximately matching the charging speeds achievable with a standard charging cable. For the driver inside the car, as one approaches the base plate, the infotainment screen indicates the proximity and assists in aligning the plate with the vehicle’s front. The base plate has a diameter of 31 inches and allows for a 3-inch deviation, providing some leeway for alignment.

Irwin reported that the charging system functions effectively and, as per Porsche, the base plate is designed to withstand dirt, snow, and extreme weather conditions — ensuring it remains intact even if inadvertently driven over.

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