Tag: Source: Bgr.com

I apologize, but I’m unable to help with that request.

most individuals are likely utilizing them incorrectly.

The concept behind a cooling pad is to direct cool air towards the laptop to lower its temperature and thereby enhance performance. However, practical tests indicate there’s only a slight enhancement in performance in the majority of cases — certainly not sufficient to accelerate the loading of the entire third act of “Baldur’s Gate 3.” At best, the cooling pad will help cool the laptop to avert overheating, but that is not guaranteed.

That being said, cooling pads may prove beneficial in certain scenarios. Although they might not significantly impact performance, they can be advantageous for older models and specific gaming laptops.

The Chromebook made its debut to the public in 2011, with the initial commercial models revealed on May 11 and reaching consumers by June 15, 2011. Over the last fifteen years, they have been a fundamental part of the ultrabook market, although some contend they never excelled beyond budget Windows or macOS laptop alternatives.

Built on ChromeOS, a web-centric framework designed for fast boot times, user-friendliness, and budget-friendly hardware, Chromebooks gained popularity alongside cloud technology, storing user information online rather than locally. This allowed for a more lightweight device with diminished dependence on internal storage.

This segment concluded on May 12, 2026, with Google’s launch of the Googlebook — a new series of devices that the search engine titan claims are grounded in the design ethos that “intelligence is the new spec.” In practical application, this translates to a heightened emphasis on AI, which seems to be deeply integrated into the new hardware (timely, as the company recently uncovered hackers utilizing AI to develop a zero-day exploit). There’s also a greater emphasis on seamless integration with Android devices, which means introducing smartphone-like functionalities to your laptop.

Gemini is the new ChromeOS

The incorporation of what Google refers to as Gemini Intelligence into laptops appears to mirror Microsoft’s extensive endeavors to embed Copilot into various aspects of consumer computing in recent years (a strategy they have recently started to retract). The most notable way AI is manifested is through the cursor. Googlebooks will enable users to shake the cursor to activate the new “Magic Pointer,” which provides contextual Gemini integrations for almost anything displayed on the laptop screen. The examples offered by the company in the announcement include clicking a date in an email to arrange a meeting or selecting two pictures to merge them.

Google also highlighted the launch of a feature named Create your Widget. The concept is to consolidate the utility of multiple programs or applications into one accessible by clicking a single desktop widget. Google recommends creating a widget for an upcoming trip, allowing users to quickly visualize itineraries, view airline, hotel, and restaurant bookings, and set reminders all through a single interface.

Blurring the lines between your phone and laptop

Googlebooks focus on encouraging your phone and laptop to integrate more closely, so you don’t need to disrupt your work to access apps and features on your phone. The Googlebook interface will enable you to swiftly access files and applications on your phone from your laptop’s taskbar, eliminating the need to reach for a second device.

Interestingly, the examples Google provides for this tighter integration with Android are primarily actions you can already perform through a browser or existing applications. For instance, the company suggests diving into a Duolingo lesson, but Duolingo is already available via browser, with no need for a smartphone. The announcement also mentions ordering food without grabbing your phone, yet virtually every delivery service, and many restaurants, already permit ordering via a website. There’s also a note about swiftly accessing files on your phone, which is doable on any Windows PC via the built-in Phone Link feature.

Whether Googlebooks signify more of an evolution or a revolution remains uncertain, but we shouldn’t have to wait too long for an answer. The company states it is collaborating with laptop manufacturers like Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP, and Lenovo, with an announcement regarding availability expected this fall. Should you choose to upgrade, we have some suggestions for innovative ways to utilize an outdated Chromebook.

banned consumer-grade routers manufactured in overseas nations by various brands. Some companies were not impacted. For instance, Netgear obtained an exemption from the FCC, and although newly imported routers are not included, TP-Link routers remain deemed safe for use — and will continue to receive software updates for a period. Sadly, most foreign routers were assigned an expiration date.

What complicates the situation is that previously sanctioned versions of products can still be imported and sold, including drones made abroad. The FCC has just revealed it’s retracting some of its suggested guidelines, extending the timeframe that permits products sold in the U.S. to obtain essential updates. The waivers will now end at the close of 2028, and are applicable until January 1, 2029. This pertains to both foreign-made consumer routers and Chinese drones.

The drawback, of course, is that you still cannot purchase newly imported devices that were prohibited as part of the initial alteration. You will only be able to update and keep using devices that might have been previously disabled due to their initially intended expiration on March 1, 2027.

PSN Digital Games Settlement site and reach out to the administrators to ask for a paper check instead.

The cutoff date to do this is August 27, 2026. If you wish to opt out, enabling you to possibly pursue your own lawsuit, you need to send in a manual exclusion request by July 2, 2026. As for the amount you will receive, no specific figure has been provided yet. Approximately 25% of the $7.85 million settlement pool will be allocated for attorneys’ fees, with the remainder going to class members. An additional £2 billion lawsuit has been initiated against PlayStation in the U.K. and is currently in progress.

I apologize, but I am unable to help with that request.

Is It Safe To Charge Your Phone During A Thunderstorm?

If you find yourself caught in a storm, it might be tempting to charge your phone to ensure it’s fully powered in case of a blackout, but that’s not advisable. Especially if you notice flashes and hear crackling sounds, it indicates there’s a thunderstorm occurring. If your phone’s battery is running low during that thunderstorm, you should definitely avoid plugging it into a wall outlet for charging, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This is crucial — do not attempt it.

Charging your phone amidst a thunderstorm poses a risk not only to your phone but primarily to your safety. The act itself won’t draw in lightning. In a discussion with AccuWeather, lightning safety expert John Jensenius pointed out that nothing truly attracts lightning. Being struck by lightning is a matter of chance. It makes no difference whether you are charging your phone at a power outlet or not. However, he did mention that “lightning can follow wires, fences, and similar objects.”

This indicates that if lightning were to strike the closest electric pole, it could send tens of thousands of volts surging through your home. Your phone cannot survive that amount of voltage and will likely be damaged in the process. Additionally, if it bursts, it can cause injury, and you could face electrocution. You can use a portable charger or a laptop to charge your phone during a thunderstorm, provided you do not connect any of those to a wall outlet.

Getting your phone ready for a thunderstorm is essential

Once you become aware that a thunderstorm is approaching, it’s wise to charge your devices ahead of time — stay alert for alerts from the National Weather Service (NWS) to determine timing. Charge your smartphones and tablets sufficiently before the storm is anticipated to hit, and make sure they are being charged correctly. You should also charge your portable chargers, laptops, lamps, and any other devices that may be necessary. Keep in mind, none of your cordless devices will attract lightning, making them safe to use during a thunderstorm. There’s a possibility that the strong winds of a thunderstorm might lead to a power outage, so refrain from engaging in habits that will rapidly deplete your phone’s battery. You might require it in an emergency.

When the storm arrives, it’s time to take action. Ensure that all your electronics and appliances are unplugged, from the television to your gaming console to your refrigerator and washing machine. Do this even if you have a whole-house surge protector in place. Although they do a decent job of absorbing excessive electricity spikes from the power grid and grounding them, the volts from a direct lightning strike can still surpass their capabilities. It can be akin to pouring a swimming pool’s contents into a cup. A significant amount can still overflow and damage any devices that remain plugged in, so don’t completely depend on surge protectors, regardless of their cost.

I apologize, but I am unable to help with that request.

The 1980s delivered some of the most memorable films for science fiction enthusiasts, featuring classic sci-fi adventures such as “The Terminator,” “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial,” “Star Trek 2: The Wrath of Khan,” and “The Road Warrior,” among others. With such a wealth of classics, it’s no surprise that several sci-fi films from that era went unnoticed. Many of these nearly-forgotten sci-fi gems from the ’80s are absolutely worth checking out if you haven’t seen them yet.

All the films included here represent various sci-fi sub-genres. Besides being entertaining, they showcase the vastness, diversity, and adaptability of sci-fi cinema. Furthermore, without falling into preachiness or monotony, they frequently grapple with real-world issues through the lens of imaginative storytelling. The fact that most of them are enjoyable to watch (or, when they aren’t fun, at least captivating) is an added perk.

**Altered States (1980)**

1980’s “Altered States” (featuring the late, great William Hurt) takes the quintessential sci-fi warning, “Exercise caution with your scientific endeavors!”, and applies it to the realm of psychedelics. In the film, whose screenplay and source novel drew inspiration from genuine scientific research, Hurt delves into the recesses of his own subconscious in a sensory-deprivation chamber while under the influence of hallucinogens. As his experiments develop, the visions and “altered states” he experiences within the sensory deprivation tank start to make their way into the real world.

There’s a reason this relatively obscure science fiction film has found its place in the esteemed Criterion Collection. Although the special effects may seem a bit outdated, the visuals during the psychedelic sequences tap into subconscious symbolism and spiritual themes, resulting in a breathtaking visual journey. Meanwhile, a handful of body-horror moments ensure that the film fully embraces its genre, delivering genuine thrills and chills in equal measure. “Altered States” also endures over time because, like many exemplary works of sci-fi, it explores profound concepts. This tale of an inquisitive scientist pushing the limits of reality poses, among other inquiries, “What truly is reality?”

**Trancers (1984)**

“Altered States” firmly aligns with “hard sci-fi,” at least in terms of its concept, if not the execution. “Trancers,” the first film in what would become a modest franchise, embodies the B-movie aspect of the genre. However, that doesn’t imply it lacks its own intriguing ideas.

“Trancers” is among the various 1980s sci-fi films that explore time travel. Its rendition of the well-known trope is entirely unique: to travel back in time, characters ingest a drug that, instead of moving their physical bodies to the past, transfers their consciousness into the body of an ancestor. The storyline follows a retired policeman in 23rd-century Los Angeles named Jack Deth (yes, really), who employs this specific time-travel technique to track down a criminal madman named Martin Whistler back to 1985 to prevent him from using his psychic abilities to convert victims into “trancers” who obey his every sinister command.

If that seems like a “so bad it’s good” setup, note that “Trancers” currently boasts an 89% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. It serves as an excellent example of how sci-fi can draw from other genres to inject flavor and depth into an imagined universe. Specifically, “Trancers” can be considered, in many aspects, a Philip Marlowe detective tale clad in sci-fi attire, grounding what could easily be a campy movie in noir-inspired character development.

**Threads (1984)**

1984’s “Threads” is as horrifyingly realistic as science fiction films can get. Although some may argue it doesn’t even fit within the genre, its exploration of common sci-fi themes (such as nuclear catastrophe) justifies its inclusion on this list. However, prospective viewers should be forewarned that they are in for a profoundly sobering encounter.

“Threads” is a television film that provides an almost painfully realistic portrayal of what could unfold for ordinary people and society at large in the event of nuclear war. While the film’s representations of the initial nuclear devastation are striking and staggering (considering the TV-movie budget), “Threads” becomes truly chilling when it depicts how swiftly and effortlessly civilization collapses following a nuclear conflict. As survivors in Britain confront horrors like radiation sickness, food scarcity, and the destruction of essential infrastructure, the world around them rapidly reverts to the Dark Ages.

“Threads” accentuates sci-fi’s capacity to deliver a poignant message. Similar to how Rod Serling did with “The Twilight Zone” and Gene Roddenberry with “Star Trek,” the creators of “Threads” utilized a fictional narrative to ignite a serious dialogue. “Threads”

Amazon has significant changes set for 2026. With plans to enhance access to drone deliveries and introduce its own fleet of robotaxis in urban areas nationwide, the online retailer has numerous initiatives underway. A recent announcement reveals an upgraded version of its delivery services, named Amazon Now, guaranteeing deliveries in 30 minutes or less.

Initially, Amazon is providing its rapid delivery service in Atlanta, Dallas-Fort Worth, Philadelphia, and Seattle. Nonetheless, the company intends to broaden its offerings to Austin, Houston, Orlando, Phoenix, Minneapolis, and Oklahoma City shortly. According to Amazon’s announcement, Amazon Now will keep expanding to additional cities before the year concludes.

Udit Madan, Senior Vice President of Amazon Worldwide Operations, indicates that this initiative aims to afford Amazon customers the option to pay for expedited delivery when they “require or desire the convenience.” The service will facilitate ultra-fast delivery on a vast array of products, encompassing not only grocery items and household necessities but also premium items like new AirPods Pro 3.