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X) that a restricted quantity of controllers have mistakenly been sent out without batteries since December. If you experienced this shipping problem, you can go to Xbox’s specific support webpage to request a complimentary Xbox Rechargeable Battery and USB-C Cable as a gesture of goodwill. All you require is your controller’s serial number; the support webpage contains guidelines on how to locate this number.

Official Xbox Wireless Controllers are meant to be delivered with a pair of AA batteries so you can begin playing immediately without any extra expense. While it is indeed possible to simply purchase your own batteries if your controller was not supplied with any, you should certainly make the most of Microsoft’s compensation offer if you qualify. The Xbox Rechargeable Battery represents a great improvement that you can utilize with one of the most impressive Xbox accessories: a controller charging station that will enhance your experience as a gamer.

It’s uncommon for a large corporation to act appropriately, making it quite refreshing when it does … even if such positive actions are a result of legal rulings. In this instance, the resolution comes from prebuilt PC manufacturer NZXT, which has consented to settle a class action lawsuit and forgive debt for certain customers in their rental program, up to $5,000.

The primary concern revolves around the company’s actions regarding its PC rental program, labeled “Flex.” Flex permits users to lease gaming-spec desktop PCs across three tiers for a monthly charge, currently varying from $79/month for the entry-level machine, to $279/month for the premium option. At the higher end, these machines compete with some of the finest prebuilt desktops on the market, while even the lowest tier outshines many of the less appealing prebuilt alternatives.

Nevertheless, the lawsuit alleges that NZXT and its partner Fragile (which oversees payment processing and debt collection for the initiative) misled consumers about what they would receive with Flex, and whether they could keep the PCs. There were also worries regarding NZXT’s sale of customer data, a claim the company firmly denies.

Flex was inaccurately advertised as ‘pay to own.’

Lodged in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, the class action lawsuit asserts that NZXT engaged in a bait-and-switch tactic through Flex. Specific components and performance metrics for the PCs were promoted, yet the company provided subpar parts or machines that failed to meet the advertised standards.

The lawsuit further contends that customers were misled into thinking that Flex was a pay-to-own scheme, in which they would fully possess the rental hardware after a designated period. The suit claims this was not true, and that NZXT was trying to offload “aging and stagnant inventory at an unlawful premium.”

The primary medium for this misleading advertising, as per the lawsuit, was influencers contracted by NZXT to endorse the rental program. The plaintiffs alleged that some influencers represented Flex as a pay-to-own deal, additionally stating that one of them had been assured by a Fragile representative that a PC would be available for purchase after renting. NZXT and Fragile opted to evade a trial and settled instead (with a final settlement class encompassing 19,322 consumers). The settlement awaits judicial approval at the time of this writing.

Claimants could obtain up to $5,000 in debt relief

According to the terms of the settlement, some customers who meet specific criteria will have the opportunity to keep their rental PCs. This applies to individuals who enrolled in Flex on or before 2024 and never received an upgraded PC; or those whose accounts are over 90 days overdue as of March 30, 2026, and who also signed up for the NZXT Flex Program between October 29, 2024, and June 1, 2025.

To retain their PCs, claimants must confirm they encountered advertising crucial to their purchasing decision that stated Flex was a rent-to-own program. Moreover, the Net Settlement Cash Fund contains a pool of money designated for debt relief. Any claimants who are over 90 days delinquent as of March 30, 2026, regarding their NZXT Flex subscription payments to Fragile are eligible for up to $5,000 in debt forgiveness. For those claimants who qualify for less than $500 in debt relief, the fund will disburse cash payments. These cash payments are expected to fall between $450 and $500, depending on the total number of former subscribers who file claims.

NZXT has also committed to altering its marketing practices for Flex. The company has pledged to accurately present specs for the PCs it rents and to refrain from using influencer marketing that suggests Flex PCs are rent-to-own. Additionally, it has agreed to differentiate brand names for PCs that are rental-only versus those that can be owned.

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smart locks can quickly transform into a hassle when they malfunction: geofencing.

Geofencing is a tracking function that utilizes GPS signals to identify the location of a device equipped with geofencing capabilities. The companion app for your smart lock, which you’ve installed on your mobile device, is the program that monitors your device’s location. When you leave the designated area, geofencing should automatically secure your lock’s deadbolt if it hasn’t been engaged. This feature also functions in reverse, which is particularly handy when arriving home with several grocery bags; as you come “into range” of your smart lock, it should unlock the door for you.

In theory and practice, geofencing is designed to be advantageous. However, GPS technology is not infallible, and minimal signal disruption can hinder the feature’s operation. This may result in unexpected locking and unlocking when you are least prepared, which is why it’s crucial to have several smart lock backup options you can depend on.

“For All Mankind” has been referred to as a contemporary sci-fi masterpiece by enthusiasts of the acclaimed Apple TV series, currently in its fifth season. It presents an alternate reality where the USSR landed a cosmonaut on the moon prior to NASA, leading to a prolonged Space Race that carries into the 21st century. The series poses intriguing inquiries about humanity and illustrates how a single event can alter the course of history.

As a series influenced by true events and scientific principles, “For All Mankind” strives for accuracy and factual representation. However, this doesn’t imply that it refrains from making alterations. Certain elements are deliberately distorted to meet audience expectations and align with the show’s creative vision, while others, such as utilizing a modified NASA logo, are made out of respect. Consequently, although the show features historical figures like Neil Armstrong and Sally Ride, they have assumed supporting roles or appeared briefly rather than taking center stage.

Incorporating some recognizable names and others associated with space exploration serves to anchor the narrative in reality, despite the story straying further from actual history. Nevertheless, by concentrating on fictional characters, “For All Mankind” can narrate the tales it intends to share without completely reinventing the lives of real individuals, many of whom have passed away. As co-creator Ronald D. Moore mentioned in a conversation with the “Liftoff” podcast, “if you’re doing wild and radical things with characters or making them alcoholics or whatever for story purposes, you don’t really want to do that to someone who’s real.”

For All Mankind emphasizes fictional characters out of esteem for real individuals.

Moore also conveyed a wish to portray historical figures in a manner that “honors them and who they were.” That being said, the series is open to straying for the narrative’s sake. As the storyline diverges further from reality, it embraces more creative liberties. For instance, in the world of “For All Mankind,” the ongoing Space Race accelerated civil rights advancements, resulting in female astronauts appearing much earlier than in 1983.

Nonetheless, Sally Ride appears frequently in Season 2 and, without revealing specifics, has a significant moment in the finale that underscores her importance even apart from her primary achievement. This is also likely a reference to the real Ride’s role as a whistleblower in the Challenger disaster investigation, recognizing that she was more than simply the first American woman in space.

As an alternate history series that portrays real individuals through actor depictions and archival footage, “For All Mankind” must find a balance between storytelling and honoring those whose narratives are being reinterpreted. By its very nature, the show must implement certain adjustments if it intends to feature historical figures at all. Therefore, it is logical to center the plot and drama on original characters as much as possible.

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**What’s The Difference Between IPS And VA Monitors?**

When searching for a new display, you will come across different types, each with distinct features. While OLED screens are rising in popularity, LCD monitors utilizing VA (Vertical Alignment) or IPS (In-Plane Switching) technology still provide notable benefits based on your requirements.

**VA Monitors:**
VA panels are recognized for their excellent contrast levels and rich blacks, making them perfect for enjoying movies, shows, and games where visual intricacy is important. Nevertheless, they require a central viewing position to ensure sharpness and true-to-life colors.

**IPS Monitors:**
IPS screens deliver exceptional color precision, making them ideal for photography and video production. They maintain consistent picture quality from wide angles and manage fast-moving images more effectively, which is advantageous for competitive gaming.

**Considerations:**
The choice between VA and IPS relies on individual tastes and particular use cases. VA monitors shine in delivering a cinema-like experience with improved contrast, while IPS monitors present smoother visuals and color fidelity, particularly for artistic endeavors.

**Price and Availability:**
Cost is another aspect to take into account. VA technology is more commonly utilized, resulting in a wider selection of budget-friendly options, especially for larger displays. IPS monitors, traditionally linked to high-end quality, are now more readily available but generally remain pricier due to their superior color representation.

In the end, the decision between VA and IPS monitors is influenced by your user profile and specific requirements, whether you favor contrast and immersive experiences or color accuracy and wider viewing angles.

While NASA’s main emphasis has been on the unique Artemis II mission, it has been evaluating a novel wing technology that could save airlines a significant amount of money by cutting fuel consumption by up to 10%. This operates by preserving smooth airflow, referred to as laminar flow. Testing commenced on the ground and has now taken to the skies – but not on a commercial plane. The NASA team attached a three-foot scale model of a tailored wing beneath an F-15B to assess their Crossflow Attenuated Natural Laminar Flow (CATNLF) design.

In early January 2026, the test jet maneuvered around Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, reaching speeds of 144 mph. Due to the vertical mounting of the test wing, there was no need to construct an expensive custom aircraft. By late January 2026, the jet ascended for a 75-minute flight that attained an altitude of 34,000 feet.

The objective is to sustain laminar airflow and minimize drag on commercial flights. Drag increases when airflow abruptly shifts, leading to friction that consumes fuel. Most commercial airplanes have large, swept wings that disrupt laminar flow. NASA states that researchers have been striving for decades to enhance airflow on swept wings, which is part of the agency’s initiatives to boost the performance of aircraft wings.

How this NASA initiative could save airlines millions

Fuel constitutes the airline industry’s largest operational expense, and NASA asserts that a 10% reduction in fuel consumption achieved with the CATNLF wing design would yield millions in savings for airlines. A typical Boeing 777 flight transporting 365 passengers from New York to London consumes 14,500 gallons of fuel, thus the design would conserve approximately 1,450 gallons per flight. Based on the summer 2025 price of $2.25 per gallon for jet fuel, that translates to roughly $3,200 in savings. Considering current rates, which exceeded $5.50 a gallon in Europe in April 2026, the savings would be significantly higher.

Over the span of an average year, an aircraft making daily flights from New York to London could save $1.2 million or up to $2.6 million at the current higher fuel prices. With more than 1,300 Boeing 777s in operation worldwide, potential savings could amount to hundreds of millions of dollars. Airlines could either pass these savings on to customers or reinvest in their fleets, as air travel demand may double over the next 25 years.

The design remains in its preliminary phases, so it won’t be featured on any airline flights immediately. NASA anticipates up to 15 test flights to determine how the CATNLF design performs under various speeds, altitudes, and conditions. NASA is hopeful that, if successful, the design could eventually be incorporated into the next generation of commercial aircraft or even supersonic planes, which are making a comeback in commercial aviation in 2026.

newer 3D printers tend to be more dependable, featuring enhanced thermal management, automatic shut-off capabilities, and a physical casing to avert accidents; however, this does not render them entirely risk-free.

Numerous users operate them overnight, even for prolonged periods. Should the temperature sensors malfunction and the filament continues to heat, it may cause damage to printer components. Even more concerning, there is a potential fire hazard. It’s important to note that an inadequately maintained 3D printer can also affect print quality, often leading to a complete disaster. While these challenges can typically be addressed when someone is present, the risks escalate during unattended, overnight operations. 3D printers are ultimately machines with numerous moving parts, and some of these components reach high temperatures. It is advisable to remain nearby while a 3D printer is functioning.

If overnight printing is unavoidable, there are smarter alternatives and safety precautions to help protect against hazards. Keep in mind that these measures won’t completely eradicate the risks but can greatly reduce them.