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Rivian R2 Launch: What You Get for $57,990

Two years after revealing what its affordable next-generation EV would look like, Rivian has shared all of the pricing, colors, and performance specs for its upcoming R2 SUV. And like so many new car releases, it’s complicated. The bottom line: Rivian’s bid to sell a more affordable EV that is accessible to a broader market […]

New Android Smartphone Looks Like LG’s Unfavorable 2016 Version

At the yearly Mobile World Congress (MWC) event taking place in Barcelona, Spain, numerous firms within the mobile sector presented an array of devices and ideas. Among the key attractions were Chinese smartphones, 6G technology, and dancing robots. One fascinating gadget was a phone that may evoke a feeling of déjà vu.

Chinese smartphone manufacturer Tecno introduced more than 10 concept devices at the exhibition. Among these was the Atom, a concept phone characterized by a sleek design that distinguishes itself by providing modular components that can be added or removed according to your requirements. These components include a telephoto lens, an action camera, a stackable battery module, and a speaker for enhanced audio. The phone utilizes magnets to link the components together, a system Tecno terms Modular Magnetic Interconnection Technology.

If this concept rings a bell, you might recall the LG G5 smartphone from 2016, which included modular components that allowed for hardware customization — although not with magnets. It emerged during a period when Android was exploring its modular phase, with Google’s own Project Ara promising similar degrees of hardware personalization. While the LG G5 was among the more widely available modular phones, sold through carrier outlets and Best Buy, it ultimately proved to be a failure, as LG reverted to a more conventional design the following year.

The modular phone concept is not a recent development. LG unveiled its flagship G5 phone in April 2016, featuring a modular design that allowed users to purchase accessories and attach them for added functionality, such as a 360-degree camera and a wide-angle lens. Intended to rescue the company’s ailing mobile division at that time, the G5 ultimately appeared and disappeared without much excitement, and LG officially closed its mobile division a few years later. According to The Wall Street Journal, the brand “struggled to persuade consumers to invest in extra modules for the G5.” However, LG’s modular device was not as practical as Tecno’s Atom concept since it necessitated powering off the phone just to swap battery modules — unlike the Atom, where you simply connect the battery to the back, and you can even add more than one if desired.

Following disappointing sales results for the G5, LG eventually reduced its focus on modularity. While the Atom evokes memories of LG’s unsuccessful endeavor, it remains uncertain whether Tecno is committed to turning this concept into a tangible device available for purchase. After all, the brand is recognized for displaying various concepts at trade shows that do not always reach widespread market availability, so you might want to temper your expectations regarding a spiritual successor to the LG G5 appearing on retail shelves.

Dyson’s New Stain-Spotting AI Robovac is Now Available

Dyson’s latest autonomous robot vacuum cleaner first debuted during IFA 2025 in Berlin last September. The Spot+Scrub Ai Robot is the company’s follow-up to its 360 Vis Nav robovac launched in 2023 with upgrades that include a new self-cleaning roller mop, a multifunction dock, and lasers that can identify stains. It’s available now through Dyson’s […]

WordPress Debuts In-Browser Website Creator

WordPress.org is launching a new tool that lets you create a private website directly in your browser, according to an announcement on Wednesday. You can access the tool by heading to my.WordPress.net, which opens up a workspace where you can start building a website without signing up to WordPress, choosing a hosting plan, or selecting […]

Parallels Offers Update on MacBook Neo and Windows Virtual Machine Capability

**Parallels Desktop Compatibility with MacBook Neo: An Update**

Last week, Parallels issued a warning about the compatibility of its Parallels Desktop for Mac software with the newly launched MacBook Neo. Following the introduction of Apple’s $599 laptop, Parallels has released an update regarding the compatibility status of virtual machines.

The good news is that virtualization is supported on the MacBook Neo. Apple has enabled virtual machines on its M-series chips, but since the MacBook Neo uses an A-series chip, compatibility concerns arose. Traditionally, A-series chips have been exclusive to iPhones and some iPads.

According to the newest information from Parallels, the outlook appears positive:

> “Parallels Desktop functions on MacBook Neo in basic usability assessments. The Parallels Engineering team has finalized preliminary testing and affirmed that **Parallels Desktop installs and virtual machines operate reliably on MacBook Neo**. Comprehensive validation and performance assessments are ongoing, and further compatibility declarations will be made as needed.”

Additional insights indicate that the A18 Pro chip in the MacBook Neo provides the essential hardware virtualization support for running virtual machines through Parallels Desktop. Nonetheless, complete validation across all supported guest operating systems and diverse use scenarios is still in progress.

While initial evaluations suggest that virtualization operates seamlessly, Parallels advises users to consider more than 8GB of RAM for an improved experience. This suggestion arises from the fact that Windows requires 4GB of RAM, and the virtual machine will have to share the 8GB RAM with macOS.

Despite this, Apple has a history of selling Macs equipped with 8GB of RAM, and virtualization has proven viable for moderate tasks. For example, the M5 MacBook Air comes with 16GB of RAM and is priced starting at $1099.

Parallels mentions, “For light, occasional Windows usage, such as a legacy business application or a Windows-only tool, the MacBook Neo may deliver an adequate experience.”

The MacBook Neo is currently priced at $599. For more details, users can explore reviews and additional information online.