Assessing the Worth of Apple AirPods Pro 2 in 2026

Although I upgraded to the AirPods Pro 3 (which is a requirement of my profession as a technology journalist), I still enthusiastically endorse the AirPods Pro 2. This is not only because they are generally available at a significantly lower price than the latest version, but also due to the fact that the disparities between the two models are minimal. The primary benefit of the new model is the heart rate sensor, which I find quite impressive for running and exercise in general, even while using the Apple Watch. Nevertheless, there are numerous factors that make Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 a great choice in 2026, and likely for many years beyond. Here’s what you need to understand about these earbuds.

The AirPods Pro 2 remain a good investment in 2026 thanks to Apple’s H2 chip

Four Top-Rated Costco Devices Priced Below $200

There are numerous reasons to purchase your electronics from Costco. Although this warehouse chain may not boast the same extensive selection as Amazon or Best Buy, it compensates with discounts, extended warranties, longer return windows, and various membership advantages. Costco is also recognized for its affordable TVs, many of which are typically exclusive to them, and amid the surge in computer component costs, its pre-built PCs outperform do-it-yourself pricing.

More significantly, it’s an ideal spot to discover technology across all price ranges, and we have previously highlighted some of Costco’s top gadgets priced under $100. Today, we are concentrating on some of the most valuable gadgets available for under $200. We selected these gadgets after thoroughly browsing the warehouse club’s electronics catalog for the highest-rated gadgets within the $100 to $200 price range. Our suggestions are tailored to a diverse array of consumers and can be beneficial for nearly every type of user.

SanDisk Extreme Go Portable SSD 1TB

The SanDisk Extreme Go Portable SSD represents an outstanding storage option to acquire from Costco, as it is not only highly regarded by the warehouse’s customers but also by professionals. It boasts a solid average rating of 4.5 on Costco, which is offering its 1TB variant at $150. While this price is considerably elevated due to the soaring SSD costs, Costco continues to sell it

Why Opting for a Budget Office Chair Instead of a Gaming Chair is a Wise Financial Choice

**Gaming Chairs vs. Office Chairs: Making the Intelligent Decision**

In the world of seating options for extended desk work or gaming marathons, the discourse between gaming chairs and office chairs is quite common. Although both fulfill the primary function of providing a comfortable seat, they vary considerably in design, features, and intended applications.

**Design and Appearance**

Gaming chairs are frequently distinguished by their vibrant, race-inspired aesthetics, featuring multi-colored patterns and bucket-style seats. These chairs might offer functions such as reclining features and retractable footrests, appealing to gamers who value visual style and additional options. Conversely, office chairs usually present a more understated and businesslike look, emphasizing practicality and ergonomic design.

**Ergonomics and Comfort**

Regarding ergonomics, both chair varieties provide distinct advantages. Gaming chairs frequently include modular accessories like neck and lumbar cushions, offering customizable support. However, office chairs are typically designed with inherent ergonomic elements, such as contoured shapes and adjustable lumbar systems, delivering enhanced spinal support without relying on extra accessories.

**Functionality and Features**

Office chairs are crafted with a focus on productivity, often incorporating thoughtful adjustments and materials such as PVC, mesh, or advanced textiles. They usually avoid superfluous additions like RGB lighting or integrated speakers, which are prevalent in gaming chairs. This emphasis on essential characteristics helps maintain reasonable pricing for office chairs, making them accessible to a diverse range of budgets.

**When to Select a Gaming Chair**

If you spend considerable time gaming or streaming, a gaming chair could be the ideal option. The visual allure and technology-oriented features, such as RGB lighting and sporty aesthetics, may enrich the gaming experience. Nonetheless, it’s worth noting that office chairs can also showcase stylish designs, especially from premium brands like Herman Miller.

**When to Choose an Office Chair**

If your main focus is on work-related tasks, an ergonomic office chair might be the more suitable choice. These chairs are built to promote posture and spine health during extended work periods, minimizing the chances of discomfort or injury. Even with minimalist designs, office chairs can be combined with desk accessories and gadgets to further ease back pain and boost comfort.

**Conclusion**

In the end, the decision between a gaming chair and an office chair rests on personal preference and intended purpose. Both categories have their advantages and disadvantages, and the choice should be based on the specific features and support you need for your activities. Whether you value aesthetics, ergonomics, or functionality, there is a chair available to fit your requirements.

“The Flashlight of the Galaxy S26 Can Melt Plastic, Adding to the List of Devices with Comparable Features”

A viral TikTok video seems to depict the flashlight feature of the Samsung Galaxy S26 producing enough heat to burn through a black trash bag. In contrast, the clip also showcases a comparable test performed on the iPhone 17 Pro, which seemingly has no impact on the bag. It’s worth noting that the torch’s burn hole is quite small, whereas the bag appears notably thin. Nonetheless, it raises concerns that the feature generates such significant heat. For instance, what occurs if the light is positioned close to your skin? What is really happening here?

Of course, a strong light like a flashlight will emit some heat the longer it remains on. This is concerning enough that we have witnessed similar incidents with other smartphones. Users have reported that the LED flashlight on the Pixel 10 Pro might harm the phone, as they observed artifacts in photos after keeping the light on for prolonged durations. This issue is not limited to smartphone flashlights alone; conventional flashlights can also produce heat when operated for extended times.

Additional findings from Tom’s Guide indicate that it’s feasible to burn through a garbage bag with Samsung’s newest flagship device. Tests carried out by the site revealed that the flashlight of the Galaxy S26 Ultra, at full brightness, swiftly burned a black trash bag. However, both the iPhone 17 Pro Max and Google Pixel 10 Pro also melted the plastic. Thicker areas of the trash bag were not spared from the impact, but no visible melting occurred when a white trash bag was tested. This is likely due to the black color’s ability to absorb more light and heat. We attempted to replicate these findings using a Galaxy S25 Ultra and a Galaxy S26 Ultra, but observed no significant damage. It is possible that the devices might turn off the light to avoid overheating their internals, but that doesn’t completely eliminate the heating issue.

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Costco’s Battery-Operated Heated Socks Present Hazard of Second-Degree Burns

The recall page from CPSC does indicate that incidents may take place during “high-intensity” activities. Priced generally between $30 and $46, the socks are available in black, featuring the phrase “32-degrees HEAT” on the retail packaging, user manual, battery pack casing, and battery pack packaging.

Consumers are requested to return the socks either at Costco locations or online. Remember, you can always go to CPSC.gov for recall updates on various products. Additionally, there are some electronic policies at Costco that every customer should be aware of.

Reasons behind the recall of 32 Degrees Heated Socks

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has officially announced the recall of the 32 Degrees Heated Socks as of April 23, 2026. The report specifies that these socks were sold in the U.S., the UK, Iceland, and Sweden from August 2025 to March 2026. This includes any socks corresponding to item numbers 1872150, 1913659, 1913660, and 1913661. As per the CPSC report, the socks were sold in three

Starlink Satellite Internet Poised for Significant Performance Boost with Latest Update

due to a recent shift in FCC approvals, Starlink is now permitted to reduce the minimum angle to 10 degrees for satellites functioning below an altitude of 400 kilometers, and 20 degrees for those operating between 400 and 500 kilometers. For user terminals situated above 62 degrees north latitude, including areas in Canada and further north, the angle can be as low as 5 degrees.

This modification will enhance service in various ways for Starlink users. It will increase network latency and performance. Furthermore, it will enable Earth-positioned dishes to maintain connectivity for extended periods while Starlink satellites are in the vicinity. With a steeper angle, the dish disregards satellites that fall out of range, and this adjustment provides a broader field of view. This means longer connections with satellites as they traverse the sky. It also implies that Starlink satellites can cater to more user terminals simultaneously. This is encouraging news given that SpaceX has recently achieved a significant milestone by launching a total of 10,000 Starlink satellites, with additional units on the horizon. An increased number of satellites can provide more active and dependable connections for improved service and a greater number of users served.

What is prompting this change in broadcast angle at this moment?

Researchers Create Groundbreaking Non-Touch Rotating Liquid Gears

**Researchers Have Developed Innovative High-Tech ‘Fluid Gears’ Capable of Rotating Without Contact**

Numerous mechanical systems operate using gears. Even the most dependable electric vehicles rely on basic gears to convey motor torque to the wheels. Nonetheless, the persistent friction that gears encounter due to their continuous engagement leads to significant wear and tear. Scientists may have discovered a resolution to this long-standing issue through fluid dynamics.

In January 2026, investigators at New York University and NYU Shanghai announced their creation of a new kind of gear that operates completely without contact — at least among other gears. As per the research (which appeared in Physical Review Letters), this innovative design of cylindrical gear can manipulate the movement of other gears by “spinning up fluid,” specifically a “glycerol-water solution” with adjustable viscosity and density. Additionally, it includes bubbles to track the fluid’s movement. This liquid effectively acts as the gear’s teeth.

The researchers found that when one gear (cylinder) was rotated sufficiently close to a stationary one, the active gear generated a fluid flow that could “grip” the passive gear, causing it to rotate in the opposing direction. You might think that this mechanism would only function effectively at a limited distance, and you’d be partially correct; if the speed of the active gear was increased, the distant gear would begin turning in the same direction, akin to the operation of pulley systems.

**Prospective Uses Will Adapt to the Flow**

You might be curious about the benefits these new “fluid gears” provide compared to conventional gears. One researcher, Leif Ristroph (Associate Professor of Mathematics at NYU’s Courant Institute School of Mathematics, Computing, and Data Science) indicated that it relates to the restrictions of standard gears. Ristroph pointed out that conventional gears require teeth that “mesh just right,” and any imperfection or even an external particle can cause them to jam, whereas fluid gears do not face these challenges. In fact, their speeds and directions can fluctuate “in ways not achievable with mechanical gears.”

That’s certainly interesting, but what is the use of gears that never fail or jam? One possible market could be soft robotics (robots that incorporate flexible components rather than rigid ones). Envision, if you will, a future where a soft robotic system organizes your groceries, and instead of relying on a traditional gear train, the robot employs fluid gears that can modify gear ratios on the fly without the danger of jamming or harming its components.

Naturally, these gears have just been invented, and while the initial study outlines potential applications, additional time will be necessary to comprehensively understand the limitations of this emerging technology. Let’s hope these gears can lead to the development of bicycles with “chains” that never snap or come apart — assuming engineers can design a fluid container robust enough to endure the demands of cycling.

Microsoft’s Approaches to Discourage Students from Opting for the MacBook Neo

Apple’s MacBook Neo stands out as a compact, portable, and high-performance device crafted for college attendees. It represents the brand’s most economical MacBook option, featuring an even lower cost for enrolled students. To seize the attention of the student demographic, Microsoft has rolled out its own offering, tailored specifically for eligible U.S. students. The Microsoft College Offer— as the company dubs it— comes alongside the acquisition of a new PC, incorporating enhancements for study periods, exam prep, and night-time gaming. Fundamentally, this bundle aims to position a new Windows device as a serious rival to the MacBook Neo.

Following Apple’s release of the MacBook Neo priced at $599, which includes an additional $100 discount for college enrollees, Microsoft’s offer arrived as a direct response. The Neo and its discounts are accessible through Apple’s Education Savings initiative intended for those in higher education, new students, relatives, staff, faculty, and homeschool educators. With a price tag of $499 for students, the Neo emerges as an appealing entry point into the Apple ecosystem, but Microsoft’s bundled offer includes several advantages that make it worth considering as an alternative.

At its essence, Microsoft’s strategy to counteract Apple involves providing savings for students who select a specific PC for purchase. This entitles the buyer to a year of Microsoft 365 Premium, a year of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, and a customizable Xbox Wireless Controller (plus the chance to explore 4 exciting features you may not know Xbox controllers possess). These additional features would typically exceed $500 if bought individually, yet they are available at no extra cost with a PC purchased via the College Offer program.

Analyzing the contents of the Microsoft college package