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U.S. Department of Energy approximates that 5 to 10 percent of home energy consumption stems from phantom power, costing the average homeowner up to $100 annually. One or two USB chargers connected might not appear to consume much, but cumulatively, in a household, the total usage can be significant. If you have children, consider their chargers or devices constantly plugged in, along with your partner’s, yours, or those of any visitors. 

However, it’s not only USB chargers that draw power. Numerous devices in standby mode utilize small amounts of electricity, such as cable boxes, streaming devices, gaming consoles, smart TVs, microwaves, appliances, audio systems, and many others. Now, envision all those devices plugged in continuously, throughout the day, every day. That represents a considerable amount of energy likely being wasted. You can alleviate this by transitioning to newer, more energy-efficient alternatives. Indeed, a lesser-known aspect of smart home technology is its ability to reduce energy consumption by minimizing constant power draw or utilizing energy more effectively.

Amazon Studios’ “Fallout” series has achieved multiple nominations and a single win at the 2024 Emmys. However, Amazon is not stopping with “Fallout”; the studio is developing several additional game adaptations, ranging from “God of War” to “Mass Effect.”

In recent years, Amazon Studios has finalized a range of beneficial agreements to produce live-action series based on well-known video game franchises. While details regarding the progress of these projects are scarce, they remain actively in development. If the caliber of “Fallout” is anything to go by, each of these endeavors has the potential to become blockbuster hits on their own, and we are eager to witness the outcomes. Below are the five video game adaptations we are most thrilled to see on the streaming platform in the near future.

AI functionality in Google Search and Gemini is operational in Android Auto. It operates across various platforms and is capable of aiding in coding, resolving intricate issues, or even creating astonishing visuals through the Nano Banana generator.

Nonetheless, Gemini is not without its flaws, and akin to some unsettling realities associated with ChatGPT, Google’s AI assistant and chatbot possess their unique limitations that every Gemini user should be aware of. It can lack accuracy and may produce hallucinations, much like many other generative AI systems. Furthermore, there are privacy considerations as human evaluators review some conversations users have with Gemini to refine the model. Additionally, Gemini has faced allegations of bias and the tendency for overcorrection. Therefore, if you intend to use Google Gemini seriously, it is crucial to recognize and comprehend its compromises and unspoken truths.

USB (which means Universal Serial Bus), however, there is a distinction between a USB header and the actual USB port that your device connects to. A USB header is a multi-pin connector located on a motherboard that enables you to link USB devices to a PC or other gadgets featuring USB ports.

A USB port is the external connector where you insert a USB accessory. After your device is connected, the motherboard’s USB headers manage data and power distribution in relation to your USB component. Numerous USB standards exist in the market (e.g., USB 2.0, USB 3.0, USB 3.1, etc.), indicating that there are various types of USB headers to understand.

Typically, motherboards come with a minimum of two USB headers, though many computers have six or more of these essential pin connectors. While some may never open their laptop to increase its USB header count, those intent on building a PC from scratch can install a header expansion card on the motherboard using an available peripheral component interconnect express (PCIe) slot.

factors that reduce your TV’s longevity. Excessive brightness, specific display technologies, the content shown on it, and indeed, keeping your TV on throughout the day can all harm it.

You may face problems like burn-in, distortion, and possibly even a total failure much earlier than anticipated by overusing your TV. This risk escalates if your TV is used for displaying content with static images, as illuminating the same pixels requires more effort from TVs. This encompasses anything with user interface components that remain visible, such as news broadcasts, sports events, and certain video games. However, this does not imply that keeping your TV on for an entire day will definitively damage it.

Provided that the overuse isn’t constant, you need not be concerned about any issues. If you allow it to cool off and adhere to its compensation cycles, many of the possible threats are minimized. Nevertheless, if you plan to keep your TV operational all day, every day, you will encounter issues in merely a few years. The way your TV copes with extended hours also varies based on its type. LCD models are generally more robust against most forms of TV deterioration (particularly burn-in) compared to OLED, plasma, and LED televisions. Likewise, bulkier TVs — typically those equipped with full-array or direct-lit displays — are considerably better at withstanding overuse.

For anyone anticipating that the Steam Machine’s price would be as competitive as that of the Steam Deck, you may experience some sticker shock. Although some were already cautioning that the Steam Machine was likely to have a steeper price than anticipated – it essentially is a compact gaming PC, after all – there weren’t numerous estimates that came close, if the new pricing is correct. According to Wccftech, Czech retailer Smarty.cz provided price estimates for Steam’s forthcoming cube-shaped computer, and they are quite surprising.

In USD, the listings suggest around $950 for the 512GB version of the Steam Machine and $1,070 for the 2TB variant. This places the cost significantly higher than what many expected. However, these prices are just estimates, so it’s wise to approach this information with caution for the time being. Importantly, by directly converting the predicted Czech koruna prices into U.S. dollars, there will be some inconsistencies.

Included in those prices are tariff and import taxes, as well as possibly additional charges that U.S. listings won’t incur. The actual MSRP is anticipated to be lower. Valve has yet to release any official statements regarding prices, nor has it addressed these leaked figures, thus everything remains speculative. Nevertheless, that would place the prices well above what most are predicting, certainly exceeding the current prices of consoles like the PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X.

What accounts for the high estimated prices?

The global memory shortage has only intensified since the announcement of the Steam Machine back in November 2025. Prompted by the demand for more advanced hardware to align with AI advancements, the chip shortages could potentially raise the cost of new smartphones. It’s not unreasonable to consider that the Steam Machine, being a PC in every sense, would face increased prices if it launches amid this chip shortage. An official release date has not yet been provided, but the Steam Machine still requires mass production, meaning manufacturers will soon need to source the necessary components and hardware, if they haven’t begun already. Additionally, GPUs are also experiencing price increases lately, adding to the cost concern.

As for why the Steam Machine is more expensive than, for example, the PlayStation 5, it’s because consoles are frequently sold at a loss. Companies like Sony and Microsoft offer consoles at prices comparable to their production costs (or even lower), aiming to recover those expenses over time through video game sales and subscription services like Xbox Game Pass. Valve has publicly reiterated that it will not subsidize the Steam Machine’s price in the same manner as contemporary consoles.

Ultimately, all of this indicates that the expense of constructing a Steam Machine will be greater than expected. This may lead to the final model being priced higher than some enthusiasts had wished, meaning the estimates from the Czech retailer could indeed be realistic. However, with the Steam Machine potentially scheduled to launch this year, it won’t be long before we have definitive information.

his preferred devices consisted of innovative smart glasses, the Clicks physical keyboard for iPhone, a smart fan, and other items. While there was plenty of practical technology — particularly highlighting AI and AI companions — it’s often the lesser-known or underappreciated gadgets that truly deserve the spotlight.

Amid Micro RGB TVs (in increasingly larger dimensions), intelligent appliances, and a plethora of robots, there were also unique gadgets that are similarly useful and fascinating. Here’s a quick rundown of some of the most exciting CES tech products that every enthusiast should be aware of.

something enjoyable to view on Netflix and various streaming platforms can be an overwhelming endeavor if you’re uncertain about your preferences. You’re faced with yet another seemingly unending scrolling experience, searching for that ideal treasure to suit your evening mood, anxious about pressing play on something that initially grabs your attention, fearing there might be something superior waiting just ahead. It becomes even more frustrating to open your streaming applications in pursuit of a specific title, only to find out that none of your subscriptions carry it. The latter situation pertains to “The Age of Shadows,” a 2016 espionage thriller boasting a flawless Rotten Tomatoes rating, which is not accessible to stream in the U.S. as of this moment.

The creation of Kim Jee-woon (writer and director), who is recognized for “The Good, the Bad, the Weird” (2008) and “The Last Stand” (2013), “The Age of Shadows” is a period drama that highlights significant occurrences in Korea’s past that may deeply connect with a broader audience in Korea. It narrates the tale of a faction of Korean resistance fighters combating the Japanese occupation during the 1920s, along with the ethical quandaries faced by those Koreans who cooperated with the new authority.

This narration may be unfamiliar to Western audiences who have not delved into the Japanese-Korean historical context surrounding the Second World War period. However, if you substitute Korea and Japan with France and Germany while keeping the timeframe, you’re likely to arrive at a historical war narrative that’s more recognizable to Western viewers. Incorporate the action sequences that Jee-woon is famous for, and “The Age of Shadows” transforms into a film that cinephiles may wish to stream, particularly those acquainted with his creations. For instance, Jee-woon’s action-laden “The Last Stand” features Hollywood star Arnold Schwarzenegger.

to delay the January 8 spacewalk, owing to a “medical issue with a crew member that surfaced […] aboard the orbital facility.” NASA referred to privacy matters, stating it’s “not suitable” for them to disclose further details regarding the crew member involved. There is uncertainty surrounding the situation, with conflicting reports being largely speculative. The spacewalk was set to be performed by NASA’s Zena Cardman and Michael Fincke, alongside two other astronauts making up Crew-11 — including Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui and Roscosmos astronaut Oleg Platanov.

In an email update, NASA provided a bit more insight into the situation: “Ensuring the safety of our missions is our top priority, and we are currently assessing all options, including the potential for a premature conclusion to Crew-11’s mission.” The email continued: “These are the scenarios NASA and our partners prepare for and are ready to execute safely. We will share additional updates within the next 24 hours.”

An update was given during a January 8 press conference led by NASA administrator Jared Isaacman. The conclusion: The Crew-11 mission will be concluding prematurely, with the evacuation of the four team members scheduled to occur within the next few days.

Although this incident brings the space mission to an early conclusion, Crew-11 arrived at the ISS in August 2025, and is already nearing the end of their six-month assignment — which, if everything proceeded as planned, would have wrapped up at the start of February 2026.

Space exploration can be difficult in a general sense: While in orbit, astronauts adhere to a demanding training regimen, as merely three days in space can lead to cognitive health deterioration. Blood samples from astronauts <a href="https://www.bgr.com/science/astronauts-blood-sh

If you’re contemplating the purchase of a Roku Streaming Stick and aim to upgrade your living space with a comprehensive audio setup, you might be curious about the quality of Roku speakers right off the bat. Generally speaking, Roku’s audio technology is well-regarded compared to its rivals. A case in point is the Roku TV Wireless Soundbar, which boasts a 4.4 out of 5 rating on Amazon, derived from over 900 user evaluations. The majority of customers commend its sound performance and swift installation.

However, some reviewers have mentioned sporadic connectivity problems. Specifically, it has been noted that after several days, the soundbar may lose its connection with the Roku TV, necessitating a full resync. Importantly, it should be emphasized that the Roku TV Wireless Soundbar is designed exclusively for Roku-branded smart TVs and, rather unexpectedly, cannot be connected to any of Roku’s independent streaming devices.