Frequent Errors in Employing Laptop Cooling Pads and How to Fix Them

12 frequent reasons you might be unintentionally damaging your laptop. Various types of cooling pads operate with fans, whether single or multiple, to enhance airflow and cool your laptop. There are thermoelectric coolers that utilize built-in cooling technology instead of fans. Additionally, some simply lift your laptop to improve airflow beneath it.

The choice of which to buy largely depends on your laptop’s configuration and its intended use. A laptop designated for gaming typically requires much more robust cooling than one used sparingly for work or web browsing. Avoid purchasing any cooling pad; selecting the correct one tailored to your particular requirements will significantly impact performance.

What to consider when choosing a laptop cooling pad

YouTube Premium Lite Introduces Two Significant User-Centric Enhancements

Google ultimately launched a new Premium Lite edition of its YouTube subscription in March 2025. Aimed at delivering ad-free viewing for the majority of videos, it omitted two of the core features found in Premium: background play and the option to download videos for offline viewing.

Nearly a year following the introduction of YouTube Premium Lite in the U.S., the company has at last declared that background play and offline video access would no longer be exclusive to YouTube Premium, thereby granting access to Premium Lite users. Although the rollout commenced this week, YouTube indicates it may take several weeks for all accounts to get the update.

YouTube states that the features which remain reserved for the most costly plan include the capability to view and listen to music and music videos without ads, as well as the functionalities for jumping ahead, queuing, and continuing playback. Nevertheless, YouTube just made the Premium Lite plan significantly more appealing, especially after the service took action against a loophole that permitted some users to listen to videos in the background without being a Premium subscriber.

Downloads and background play

While YouTube asserts that downloads and background play are accessible to Premium Lite users for “most videos,” they remain broadly available to all Premium subscribers. According to YouTube, the principal distinction for Premium Lite subscribers is that these benefits pertain to “most non-music content, excluding Shorts.” Furthermore, ads may still appear when searching or browsing for content, a situation that doesn’t occur on the pricier plan.

This could entice a number of free users who were previously undecided, as one of the greatest advantages of being a Premium subscriber is the capability to begin watching a video on your phone and then switch to another app without halting the playback. Additionally, it’s incredibly useful to be able to download content and view it later when you don’t have trustworthy internet access, such as on a flight or during a journey to a remote area.

Nine Features You Must Experience on the New Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra

Galaxy S25 Ultra, with enhancements like broader camera openings on several lenses and a speedier processor, represents an evolution rather than a complete redesign of its predecessor. The true advancements lie in its range of features, which encompass several innovative tools along with refinements of existing ones.

Similar to the Samsung Galaxy S25 series, artificial intelligence plays a central role in the S26 models — Samsung has even deliberately referred to its devices as “AI phones” rather than “smart phones.” Nonetheless, the latest Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra’s features extend beyond just AI implementations; they permeate every aspect of the device, spanning from its cameras to its navigation within the operating system. Admittedly, AI is significantly incorporated as well.

If you’ve had the opportunity to explore the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and wish to discover what’s new, or if you’re looking to simplify complex terminology and grasp how it differs from prior models, here are some exciting new functionalities of the handset. While most are enhancements of existing functionalities rather than completely new elements, each will serve a unique purpose for various types of users.

The screen-dimming Privacy Display

Samsung Galaxy S26 Launches Three Innovative AI Functions Boosting Gemini’s Effectiveness

Samsung introduced the new Galaxy S26 series on Wednesday, presenting three fresh Android flagship devices with enhanced AI features. These gadgets are equipped with new Galaxy AI functions and Perplexity integration. Samsung has collaborated with Google to embed new Gemini functionalities, improving the phone’s usefulness. Gemini can now manage repetitive tasks such as hailing an Uber, allowing users to concentrate on other pursuits. Furthermore, Circle to Search has seen enhancements to recognize more content displayed on the screen, and Google’s Gemini-driven Scam Detection feature is now accessible on the Galaxy S26 series.

The Gemini automation functionality is particularly notable, allowing semi-autonomous operations while users attend to other tasks. This feature is currently in beta on the Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, and Galaxy S26 devices in the U.S. and Korea. Users can engage multi-step automations by long-pressing the power button and directing Gemini to undertake tasks like booking rides or placing food orders. Users can observe and intervene in Gemini’s actions whenever they wish. Google guarantees that Gemini functions within a secure, virtual environment on the phone, ensuring the AI does not take control of the device.

Circle to Search, which was launched two years ago alongside the Galaxy S24 series, has been enhanced to identify multiple objects within images, supplying more thorough answers. For instance, users can now gather information about all items in an outfit seen on social media. The feature utilizes Gemini 3’s multi-step reasoning capabilities to pinpoint elements of interest and perform parallel searches. Circle to Search also works with Google’s Try On feature, enabling users to virtually try on clothing found online. These upgrades are available on Galaxy S26 and Pixel 10 devices.

Google has broadened its AI-enhanced security features, such as Scam Detection in phone calls and Google Messages. This functionality shields users from over 10 billion malicious calls and messages each month. Scam Detection, which is available on Pixel devices in select regions, is now making its way to the Galaxy S26 series in the U.S. It employs on-device Gemini AI to scrutinize conversations for indicators of scams, identifying subtle manipulation tactics employed by scammers. These advanced safeguards will be available on Galaxy S26 and Pixel 10 devices.

Crucial Gadgets to Link to the HDMI 2.1 Port of Your TV

launched the updated HDMI 2.2 standard; however, the existing HDMI 2.1 version remains the primary option users should seek, particularly to prevent receiving a “fake” HDMI 2.1 port. Ultimately, this standard is expected to include premium features such as 4K/120hz support, variable refresh rate, automatic low latency, and 48 Gbps of bandwidth.

Nonetheless, with the discontinuation of the 2.0 standard, the HDMI Forum provides a partial implementation of HDMI 2.1, meaning that consumers searching for an HDMI 2.1-compatible device must also ensure it includes Fixed Rate Link support, which guarantees all the advantages of the standard. Without this, users might feel as if they are merely utilizing another HDMI 2.0 port. That being said, these ports are designed for those wanting to fully utilize their peripherals, and connecting devices such as a PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, the 2022 Apple TV 4K, a 4K UHD Blu-ray player, and an AV receiver are among the top options to connect.

PlayStation 5

Tom Hardy’s Esteemed Series by Peaky Blinders Creator Anticipates Renewal for Second Season

2017’s period drama “Taboo” was genuinely a labor of love for “Mad Max: Fury Road” actor Tom Hardy. He collaborated with Steven Knight (the creator of “Peaky Blinders”) and his father, Chips Hardy, to co-create and co-write the series. Yet, despite the overall positive critiques and favorable audience reception — and the fact that it was officially picked up for a sequel by BBC One and FX immediately following its debut season — “Taboo’s” second season remains elusive even after more than nine years.

Although both Hardy and Knight have expressed in various interviews throughout the years their desire to revive the show, those comments have not materialized into action. Whether 2026 will bring the return of the brooding adventurer and businessman James Delaney is uncertain, but Knight did briefly mention the series in a recent chat with Radio Times, which may offer some optimism to fans. He remarked, “Well, Tom and I have discussed it, and I think we know how we would proceed. It’s just about finding the time. But I’d love to; I get asked about it — particularly in the States, actually — I get asked about it quite often.”

In their defense, it’s quite easy to see why “Taboo” has been put on the back burner for some time. Knight’s career skyrocketed once “Peaky Blinders” became a sensation, and he has been incredibly occupied crafting other shows like “See,” “Rogue Heroes,” and two anticipated series for 2025, Hulu’s “A Thousand Blows” and Netflix’s “House of Guinness.” Meanwhile, Hardy filmed “Dunkirk,” delved into Marvel’s “Venom” trilogy that spanned six years (which somewhat underutilized Hardy’s talent), and returned to television starring in “MobLand” on Paramount+ in 2025 (which you should consider adding to your watchlist if you enjoy gritty mob dramas). With such demanding schedules, carving out time for a relatively low-profile and underappreciated series that the two initiated nine years ago is no small feat. But as they say, hope springs eternal.

The grim, shadowy, and mysterious realm of Taboo

Debuting in early 2017 on BBC One in the U.K. (and on FX in the U.S., which boasts at least 11 outstanding shows available via Hulu), “Taboo” traced the story of James Delaney, a bitter and enigmatic businessman who returns to London after a 12-year sojourn in Africa to attend his father’s funeral and safeguard an inherited piece of land in British Columbia from Sir Stuart Strange (Jonathan Pryce), the chairman of the East India Company. The more captivating plot elements, however, hint at Delaney’s time away from home through visions and flashbacks, alongside potential incestuous ties with his half-sister Zilpha (Oona Chaplin), and a vague link to the supernatural. Keep in mind, this is 19th-century England, so violence and Gothic themes are very much part of the narrative, and “Taboo” definitely embraces these aspects to provide a rather hazy, psychedelic, and intricate tale across its eight episodes.

Personally, I found the series excruciatingly slow and occasionally lacking in excitement back then, leading me to drop it after four episodes. However, I clearly was in the minority, as “Taboo” cultivated a substantial fanbase that discovered much to appreciate in the series that I simply couldn’t (I’m somewhat tempted to give it another go now). The show also garnered two Emmy nominations in 2017 and received predominantly favorable reviews from critics (currently holding a 76% rating on Rotten Tomatoes). And since the season finale wrapped up on a cliffhanger, it seems everything is essentially primed for a continuation (even though addressing the elapsed time might be necessary), whenever the two Hardys and Steven Knight can finally make it happen.

The Outdated Nature of USB Flash Drives: Factors Making Them Unessential

In the past, USB flash drives represented the simplest method for transferring files between computers and various devices. Almost everyone owned one, whether for data storage, file transfers, or as a straightforward backup option. However, in recent years, they have diminished in significance, as superior alternatives have become mainstream. Users now predominantly depend on cloud storage to maintain and synchronize files, providing immediate access across devices. Even for local backups, portable solid-state drives have taken precedence.

Nevertheless, flash drives did not become obsolete instantly. They faced challenges that were never effectively resolved, particularly concerning storage capacity, speed, and compatibility. Frequently utilized flash drives typically offer 64 to 128GB, which can be filled quickly for many users. For those with higher capacities, such as 1 to 2TB, transfer speed remains a notable limitation. Furthermore, in the last decade, numerous PC manufacturers have reduced their reliance on traditional USB-A ports in favor of USB-C ports, resulting in compatibility complications for USB-A flash drives. Thus, even if you possess a USB flash drive, its utility is not what it was a few years back.

USB flash drive alternatives make more sense today

Essential Dashboard Devices to Upgrade Your Antiquated Vehicle

car dashboard accessories that keep your items safe and accessible while on the go. The anti-slip rubber mat from BLAU GRUN is sized at 10.63 by 5.91 inches and boasts an outstanding 4.3-star rating from 3,000 reviews on Amazon. It securely grips lightweight objects, making sure they stay in place even on rough roads, tight corners, or abrupt stops.

Users appreciate the ease of use