The next generation of gaming is here with the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X — except it isn’t, because there are almost no next-generation games to play on them. Demon’s Souls is the first title that can truly be called next-gen, and it shows — even though it’s a remake of a PS3 game…… Continue reading Demon’s Souls: The first truly next-gen game is a lopsided but impressive showcase

Nintendo will never stop mining its past for new nostalgia-based products, but at least it tends to do so with aplomb and occasionally even generosity. The former at least is on display with the Super Mario Bros. Game & Watch, a standalone handheld that plays the first Mario game, its unbelievably hard “Lost Levels” sequel,… Continue reading Nintendo’s Mario Game & Watch is a choice gaming stocking stuffer of 2020

Buying someone a gadget is a time-honored tradition, but these days it can be particularly fraught, considering you may buy them a fitness tracker that also monitors emotions, or a doorbell that snitches to the cops. Mozilla has put together a helpful list of popular gadgets with ratings on just how creepy they are. “Privacy… Continue reading Gifting a gadget? Check its creep factor on Mozilla’s ‘Privacy not included’ list of shame

Amazon today announced a set of new features aimed at making its Alexa devices more useful to aging adults. With the launch of “Care Hub,” an added option in the Alexa mobile app, family members can keep an eye on older parents and loved ones, with their permission, in order to receive general information about… Continue reading Amazon’s new ‘Care Hub’ lets Alexa owners keep tabs on aging family members

In the past several weeks we’ve seen refreshes and product expansions from about every facet of the smart home virtual assistant world. Apple launched the HomePod Mini, Google offered a long-overdue refresh of the Google Home and Amazon found even more speaker shapes to shove Alexa into. Today, we’re getting an addition from a startup… Continue reading Josh.ai launches a ‘nearly invisible’ Amazon Echo competitor that’s the size of a coin

There are plenty of e-readers to choose from out there, but never enough for me. I’m always questing for the one that will make me forget that there are others available, and in the Onyx Boox Poke 3, I think I have found it — at least for now. The Chinese e-paper device maker has… Continue reading The Boox Poke 3 is my new favorite e-reader

In addition to the MacBook Air, Apple also introduced a new Mac Mini. It runs Apple’s first custom chipset specifically designed for Mac computers, the M1. It still features the same familiar design, but it now uses an Arm-based chip. “If you compare a Mac mini to the top-selling desktop in this price range, the… Continue reading Apple updates Mac Mini with Apple-designed M1 chip

Apple’s upcoming desktop and laptop operating system, macOS Big Sur, will be released on November 12, the company announced today. macOS Big Sur — which stays with the company’s California-themed naming scheme — will arrive with a new and refreshed user interface, new features, and performance improvements. Much of the features in iOS 14 are… Continue reading Apple will release macOS Big Sur on November 12

One of the problems with putting a satellite in orbit is that once you do, it’s pretty much out of your hands. If anything goes wrong, or it runs out of fuel, that’s all she wrote. Fortunately there are companies that aim to change this, and three leaders in the field — Orbit Fab, Astroscale,… Continue reading Pioneers of in-space refueling and manufacturing join TC Sessions: Space 2020

Apple is organizing its third event in three months today. The company is holding a (virtual) keynote at 10 AM PT (1 PM in New York, 6 PM in London, 7 PM in Paris). And you’ll be able to watch the event right here as the company is streaming it live. Apple has already announced… Continue reading Watch Apple unveil the first ARM-based Mac live right here