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HBO Max Offers Essential Viewing: Ben Affleck’s Crime Thriller

streaming on HBO Max. Two years prior to his third directorial outing, “Argo,” clinching Best Picture at the Oscars, Affleck presented a quintessential Boston thriller brimming with grit, explosive violence, and a deep-seated admiration for the locale that shaped him.

At its essence, 2010’s “The Town” is a classic heist film layered with neo-noir elements that tracks a small, close-knit band of criminals who sustain themselves by executing bank robberies. They operate with a level of efficiency and precision that implies an upbringing steeped in crime — a way of life where savvy and illicit expertise are passed down through the ages. The group’s leader is Doug MacRay (Affleck), a genuine Bostonian yearning to escape the life of crime. He genuinely wishes to turn his back on this existence, but there always seems to be another “final job” where things take a turn for the worse.

In this instance, it’s yet another heist during which they take a hostage while attempting to escape, blindfold her, and subsequently release her. To ensure she remains silent about the incident, Doug opts to monitor her — a decision that his hot-tempered best friend Jem (Jeremy Renner) contests, advocating for simply eliminating the girl — and before long, he finds himself falling for her. Naturally, complications ensue, the crew’s subsequent heist goes awry, and an FBI pursuit to apprehend the team unfolds in rapid succession.

The Town follows in the footsteps of Heat

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Crucial Strategies and Techniques for Enhancing Dual Monitor Usage

A digital designer utilizing dual monitors.

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Setting up dual monitors is an excellent method to enhance your efficiency and command over your computer configuration at home or in the office. An additional display is useful for avoiding the hassle of switching between windows or relying on a split screen, particularly if you require a full screen for gaming or specific applications. However, prior to fully embracing a dual-monitor configuration, it’s beneficial to know several useful tips and strategies, including selecting the appropriate stand, adjusting settings correctly, and utilizing software tools.

A well-configured dual-monitor environment promotes ease, accessibility, and productivity, whereas a poorly arranged one can lead to more issues than it solves. Generally speaking, creating that ideal configuration is straightforward, as it typically involves a few accessories, some modifications to your computer’s settings, and optionally, enhanced control through third-party software.

Utilize a dual stand for ideal placement and comfort

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Starbucks Introduces Budget-Friendly Vintage Camera You’ll Desire to Have

Starbucks is renowned for its holiday cup selections, with a previous release even sparking political debates. The year 2025 is no exception, as the brand unveils a variety of themed cups, tumblers, mugs, and more for patrons to grab before the festivities begin. The standout item this season is undoubtedly the viral Starbucks Bearista Cold Cup, a glass vessel sculpted like a teddy bear adorned with a green beanie. This playful cup was in such high demand that law enforcement had to intervene due to altercations arising over it.

Yet, as impressive as the Bearista cup is, it pales in comparison to what Starbucks China is offering for the holiday period. Priced at 198 yuan ($28), the company has introduced the Starbucks Retro Digital Camera. It appears that Starbucks enthusiasts are quickly snatching up these affordable cameras, as evidenced by the soaring resale prices. Current eBay listings for this delightful little camera indicate price points around $130.

This camera is exclusively available in China. Information about the device itself is scarce, but given its low price, one shouldn’t anticipate exceptionally high-quality photos. Nevertheless, that doesn’t detract from the coolness factor of the Starbucks Retro Digital Camera, which can still capture some amusing moments during the holidays. This budget-friendly gadget boasts two sensors, with one cleverly positioned where the viewfinder is, acting as a built-in selfie camera for capturing memories with friends and family.

While it doesn’t rival the iPhone 17’s upgraded selfie capabilities, that’s not the main focus. This is meant for enjoying yourself without breaking the bank. Starbucks’ retro camera includes a rear LCD screen and comes with nine overlays to lend your photos that quintessential 2000s vibe. It also evokes a cozy Christmas ambiance, available in red or green, featuring a body that resembles metal and leather. Once you’re finished using it, we have some creative ideas for repurposing your old camera.

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Distinguishing Between Premium and Economical HDMI Cables

 top HDMI cables with high-speed or superior capability. Ultimately, enhanced video and audio fidelity translates to a larger data flow, and if your HDMI cable cannot accommodate that flow, you won’t be able to see or hear any of it.

High-speed HDMI cables are capable of transmitting more data quickly

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How to Stop Ad Tracking on Roku Devices

We assessed every Roku streaming device from least to most favorable, but regardless of how much you invest in one of these streaming devices — or Roku-integrated smart TVs — advertisements will be an inescapable element of your experience. Roku is also able to track your search activities and share this information with third parties.

Thankfully, Roku users maintain some power over the variety of ads they encounter. They can also influence who gets access to their personal details. To manage this, navigate to Settings > Privacy > Privacy Choices, and activate the option that says, “Do not share/sell my information.” You may additionally want to enable the option for “Limit use of sensitive information.” To prevent seeing specific types of ad content (e.g., alcohol, politics, violence), go to Settings > Privacy > Advertising > Sensitive ad content, then select the categories you wish to exclude. Once you click OK, these choices will be recorded and applied across all devices associated with your Roku account.

Roku restrictions you should be aware of

Roku also permits you to dismiss specific ads you might encounter, substituting it with a different promotion. To accomplish this, simply highlight the advertisement and press the Star button on your Roku remote. Choose Hide this ad and confirm by clicking OK. However, you can only perform this action a limited number of times within a day, after which you will not be able to hide ads until your 24-hour period is renewed. Additionally, keep in mind: Ad preferences are presently restricted to those that are visible. Video ads, ads in partner applications, and certain apps shown universally, like themed backgrounds, cannot be modified at this moment.

Exercising control over the Roku advertising you encounter and how the company handles your personal data is crucial — particularly if you fall into the category of streamer who

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4 Overlooked Android Apps That Merit Greater Recognition

Google Play Store logo on a phone screen with a red background

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After eliminating about half of all applications from its platform, the Google Play Store now boasts nearly 2 million apps for download. Sifting through millions of applications to find the top ones is impractical, but there are several apps that you should consider using more frequently.

For instance, Blackmagic Camera, which is available for free, improves the filming experience by introducing features like Open Gate recording. While the app may appear intimidating due to its numerous settings and customization options, it’s worth exploring. Another notable mention is Apple TV. Despite being developed by a rival and recently launched on Android, Apple TV is viewed as a spiritual successor to HBO, featuring exceptional series such as Foundation and Slow Horses.

In compiling this list, we drew upon our experiences as Android users to highlight four apps that we feel embody the essence of this headline. These apps may be somewhat underrated or overlooked, yet they provide significant value. To view the complete list, continue reading below. 

Nintendo Music

A desktop PC screenshot of the Nintendo Music app

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User-Suggested Budget-Friendly TVs Offered Solely at Best Buy

Insignia 55-inch QF Series 4K QLED, as well as the TCL 55-inch F35 Series 4K LED.

Both models frequently drop significantly below their already competitive retail prices, particularly during seasonal deals, flash promotions, or My Best Buy Plus/Total member events. While designed for consumers seeking a reliable display without extras, each offers considerably more value than what you might anticipate. Here’s all you need to know regarding these budget-conscious televisions.

Insignia 55-inch QF Series 4K QLED

Insignia is, in fact, a private label of Best Buy, but you can also find many Insignia televisions on Amazon, along with some of the<a href="https://www.bgr.com/1984577/best-cheap-smart-tv-am

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Wireless Gadget Converts Smartphone into Microscope

exciting new iPhone devices or Android phone accessories, there seems to be no shortage of gadgets available for smartphones. Nonetheless, not every phone accessory is created equal, and some might simply end up being a poor investment. Luckily, this neat little item on Amazon checks all the boxes for being practical, fascinating, and possibly best of all, affordable. If you want to gain a closer look at the minute aspects of the world, the SkyBasic Wireless Digital Microscope could be perfect for you. 

Presently priced at $28.48, this microscope features a few qualities that render it remarkably versatile, including magnification of up to 1000x. While we can’t guarantee that this device will assist you in discovering microscopic robots invading your body, this wireless gadget would be ideal for anyone with inquisitive children at home, or for those simply seeking a clearer view of the intricate details of common objects. 

Enlarge your surroundings effortlessly

Regardless of how sharp someone’s eyesight might be, zooming in on the tiny details of specific objects can still prove difficult. While we anticipate scientists to develop robotic eyes with superior vision for humans, a reliable microscope that connects to your smartphone can be quite handy. SkyBasic’s wireless microscope is compatible with Android 6.0 or later and iPhones running iOS 9.0 or newer, allowing smartphones to connect via Wi-Fi. 

The microscope also can be linked using an included USB cable. Providing 50x to 1000x magnification, eight built-in LED lights enhance clarity. The microscope delivers images with a resolution of up to 1920×1080 with just a button press, thanks to a 2MP HD CMOS sensor. Over 2,000 of these SkyBasic microscopes have been sold in the last month, earning a 4.2-star rating from more than 9,200 reviews. 

Customers praise it for its user-friendliness, robust magnification, and the capability to capture clear images. However, some users voice concern that its magnification isn’t as strong as claimed, while others are displeased that the necessary app requires full photo access on their devices. Regardless, this wireless gadget can provide a fun experience for young ones, or it can be useful for getting a closer inspection of various objects.

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5 Not-So-Famous Characteristics of Your Amazon Fire TV Stick

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The Biggest Nuclear Power Station in the United States

The United States possesses the most extensive fleet of nuclear reactors globally. With 94 reactors distributed among 54 power plants, the U.S. produces approximately 97 gigawatts (GW) of nuclear energy, far exceeding France, China, and Russia, despite only incorporating three reactors since 1996. The most significant of these facilities is Plant Vogtle in Waynesboro, Georgia, generating around 4.8 GW of electricity. In May 2025, the Trump administration unveiled new programs to initiate a “nuclear renaissance,” intending to elevate total capacity to 300 GW by 2050.

The strategy focuses on advancing America’s next-generation nuclear reactor technology by constructing ten AP1000 reactors over the next five years, primarily via an $80 billion collaboration with Canadian nuclear company Westinghouse Electric. Vogtle integrated two Westinghouse AP1000s in 2023 and 2024, respectively. Although this made the Waynesboro plant the largest in the nation, the expansion project extended seven years and overshot initial estimates by $21 billion. To stimulate progress, the Trump administration directed the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to lessen oversight, reduce personnel, and expedite permit approvals.

By aiming to reduce bureaucratic obstacles, the decision has raised safety and regulatory independence concerns among some experts. Despite these issues, U.S. officials are convinced that enhancing nuclear energy infrastructure is crucial to satisfy its surging energy demands, which reached all-time highs in 2024. In the future, nuclear energy may help bridge the gap between American consumption and capacity as these pressures persist.

Establishing the Vogtle nuclear power plant

When the expansion of the Vogtle nuclear power plant was sanctioned in 2009, it marked the first project of its type in nearly three decades. Prior to this, a lack of political determination, largely due to infamous accidents like Three Mile Island and soaring construction expenses, left U.S. nuclear capacity stalled. At that time, the addition to the Alvin W. Vogtle Electric Generating Plant was viewed as a potential turning point. By adding 2.5 GW of capacity, sufficient to elevate nuclear to 19% of the overall generation grid, the two new reactors would position the facility above Arizona’s Palo Verde plant as the largest in the nation.

Regrettably, the project would become more of a cautionary example than a strong endorsement. Financial concerns have haunted the power plant since its inception in 1970. It took almost 20 years for the first two reactors to become operational, with construction costs ballooning from an estimated $660 million to an astonishing $8.9 billion by the time Vogtle’s second reactor began operation in 1989. Seventeen years later, Southern Co., the parent organization of Vogtle’s operator Georgia Power, declared intentions to incorporate two Westinghouse AP1000 reactors at the site.

However, when the first of these reactors commenced service in 2023, a series of delays due to technical problems, funding issues, and legal disputes had more than doubled the cost estimates to $30 billion. A simultaneous project at the V.C. Summer plant in South Carolina was halted before completion, amplifying concerns regarding U.S. nuclear expansion. Nonetheless, the generating capacity of the Vogtle plant highlights the significant potential of the American nuclear industry if it can overcome such financial hurdles.

Prospects for nuclear power in the U.S.

Despite challenges affecting construction, investment in Westinghouse Electric indicates that regulators view the Vogtle nuclear facility as a potential template for nuclear growth in the U.S. While nuclear energy may not be entirely clean, the plant is credited with preventing 10 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually. Currently, the 94 nuclear reactors in the U.S. account for more than half of the nation’s carbon-free electricity generation and approximately 18% of its total electricity supply.

This generation occurs despite the decommissioning of 12 reactors since 2013, as improved efficiency raised nuclear capacity rates to a record 94% in 2019. As a comparison, the average capacity for U.S. reactors in 1991 was merely 70%. Developing more efficient, high-capacity nuclear reactors may be vital for an energy sector addressing growing electricity demands. In particular, the rapid growth of the AI industry and its subsequent demand for data centers has led major tech companies to fully embrace nuclear technology, with Google, Microsoft, and other tech giants entering agreements to revive former nuclear plants.

Both the Biden and Trump administrations have backed this shift towards nuclear power, culminating in the previously mentioned $80 billion investment initiative. However, America’s nuclear revolution is expected to unfold gradually, with experts forecasting a mere 27% increase in capacity by 2060. Although many believe that smaller, more easily deployed nuclear reactors could offer a cost-effective solution to the challenges experienced at the Vogtle plant, the U.S. government intends to incorporate 10 additional AP1000 reactors into the American infrastructure.

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