Safety Concerns Regarding Keeping Your Xbox Series X in Sleep Mode

Xbox Series X, a robust device that can match the demands of even the most challenging video games. If you haven’t acquired one yet, you shouldn’t delay your purchase in case the cost continues to rise. When your gaming session ends for the night, do you turn off the console or allow it to remain in sleep mode? You might be asking if the latter is advisable for lengthy durations. It is indeed a feature on the console, so it must serve a purpose.

Sleep mode comes in handy when you take a quick pause to refill snacks, attend a work call, or settle the kids before continuing your gaming. However, it could also be used throughout the night. Many prefer this mode due to the quicker startup times when you’re ready to play again. It’s similar to how you likely close your laptop’s lid instead of shutting it down completely at the end of each workday.

Microsoft’s official support page does not indicate that sleep mode on the Xbox Series X should only be used for short intervals. This implies that while there are some drawbacks, particularly the unnecessary energy consumption, it is perfectly safe to utilize.

Reasons to keep your Xbox Series X in sleep mode

By leaving your Xbox Series X in sleep mode, you can jump back into gaming more quickly and explore features you may not have realized the console offers. If you were to turn off your laptop at the end of each workday, you would need to power it back on, await all applications to load, and potentially reopen documents. Similarly, keeping the Xbox Series X in sleep mode rather than completely shutting it down ensures a fast startup when you’re ready to play again. Both my 14-year-old son and my partner engage in gaming most nights, and they often leave the Xbox in sleep mode to quickly resume their sessions. They have encountered no problems.

Five Other Ways to Utilize Your Camera’s USB Port Apart from Charging

camera enthusiasts who prioritize enjoyment are often more engaged in the photography experience than the camera’s technical aspects. However, viewing a camera’s USB port solely as a means for charging overlooks a wealth of possibilities, most of which just require a USB cable and some knowledge.

Users of smartphone cameras likely recognize their phone’s USB-C port along with its diverse functionalities. Most contemporary digital cameras also feature a USB-C port, enabling data transfer alongside charging capabilities. The USB port allows for connection between the camera and a computer, as well as various other devices. For photographers and videographers eager to venture into new creative territories or simply maximize the potential of their photography equipment, a camera’s USB port can be invaluable.

Direct media transfer

Three Configurations to Speed Up Your Lagging iPad

restart your iPad. This often resolves most temporary glitches and lags by clearing temporary files. However, if the slowdown results from a more severe software issue, upgrading your iPad to the latest iOS version is advisable, as newer versions are designed to fix performance problems and bugs.

If neither of these quick solutions helps, there are some settings you can adjust on your iPad instead. We’ll guide you through the three primary ones that should yield immediate results.

Activate Offload Unused Apps

One of the reasons your iPad may be slowing down is due to full storage. Apple advises maintaining at least 1GB of free space for optimal device performance. If your storage is completely filled, don’t be alarmed — there are simple tricks to clear up space on your iPad. One of the most effective ways to achieve this is by enabling Offload Unused Apps.

Offloading apps implies removing apps you rarely use when storage is low. It acts like a light uninstall; instead of permanently deleting everything, the data and files remain stored locally, allowing you to restore them later if needed. To activate this iPad setting, follow these steps:

  1. Open the Settings app.
  2. Choose Apps at the bottom of the screen.
  3. Access the App Store.
  4. Scroll down to Offload Unused Apps.
  5. Enable it.

At this point, Offload Unused Apps will function automatically in the background as soon as your available space becomes critically low. If you prefer not to wait until that moment,

13 Electric Vehicles Exceed Promised Range in Consumer Reports Evaluations

the finest luxury electric sedans currently offer more than 400 miles of range on a single charge, and you’ll also discover noteworthy range metrics on several SUV models. In the United States, range evaluations from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) serve as the benchmark for assessing how far a specific EV can drive on a full battery.

However, these statistics don’t always reflect the true range you experience after purchasing an electric vehicle. Some EVs fall short of their promoted EPA-estimated range, while others can exceed the estimates. Yet, as a purchaser, you can’t discern that merely by examining range figures on a manufacturer’s site. Fortunately, Consumer Reports (CR), an unbiased non-profit entity, has conducted all the thorough investigation by testing 26 current EVs for their actual range to determine if they align with their proclaimed EPA-estimated figures.

In total, 13 EV models surpassed their proclaimed range. This includes the 2025 Audi A6 Sportback e-tron, 2024 Tesla Cybertruck, 2026 Tesla Model Y, 2023 BMW i4, 2024 Cadillac Lyriq, 2025 Volvo EX90, 2023 BMW i5, 2024 Kia EV9, 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV, 2025 Volkswagen ID.Buzz, 2025 Mini Countryman SE ALL4, 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5N, and 2024 Fiat 500e.

Why EV range isn’t always what’s published

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$32 Earbuds Outperform Apple AirPods 4 in Battery Duration

Upon our examination of the Apple AirPods 4 in September 2024, we valued their affordable price and impressive sound quality. The battery life for these earbuds is 4 hours with active noise cancellation (ANC) and 5 hours without it. Nevertheless, we came across a pair of headphones that not only cost less but also provide extended playtime compared to the AirPods 4.

The JLab JBuds Mini Bluetooth earbuds, offered on Amazon, deliver an additional 30 minutes of playtime over Apple’s earbuds. They are made for convenience, boasting a compact design and a charging case. The JBuds are also resistant to sweat and dust, equipped with a noise-canceling microphone, and include features for hearing surrounding sounds.

Even though Apple’s earbuds are well-liked, they possess a notable drawback, making it beneficial to seek alternative options online. Priced at $32, the JBuds are an appealing selection for those who desire longer-lasting earbuds.

The JLab JBuds Mini, boasting a 4.2-star rating from nearly 7,000 reviews on Amazon, are currently available at a 20% discount, reduced from their regular $39.99 price to $31.99. Offered in various colors, these earbuds come with a JLab app for personalizing touch controls and sound settings. They provide 5.5 hours of playtime per earbud and claim to be the smallest earbuds and case from any leading brand. With Bluetooth 5.3, they are capable of connecting to two devices at once.

The charging case prolongs total listening duration to 20 hours via USB-C charging. The package contains three sets of silicone gel tips and includes a two-year warranty. Buyers appreciate their sound quality and value, although some have noted connectivity issues with specific devices. For users with smaller ears, other earbuds might be a better fit.

Top 5 Essential Google Chrome Extensions for 2026

concentrate on the crucial extensions; there are some hidden treasures you may not have uncovered aside from the usual note-taking applications, password managers, ad blockers, screen capture tools, and web clippers.

Chrome offers more than 100,000 extensions, which can make it somewhat challenging to keep pace when you’re inclined to explore. With a bit of assistance, you might find something you never realized you required. There are extensions that implement dark mode across all websites, aid in inserting frequently used text snippets, block distracting websites, safeguard your online privacy, navigate around geo-restrictions, and even oversee all the extensions you’ve previously added.

Although they aren’t revolutionary tools, they effectively address a variety of issues that affect contemporary workflows and browsing experiences. You shouldn’t overlook the opportunity to install them. Being Chrome extensions, they are compatible with other Chromium-based browsers, such as Microsoft Edge, Opera, and Brave.

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