Aware Super names Richard Exton as Chief Technology and Data Officer to boost AI and digital services for 1.2 million members from November. Read...

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When was the last time you used a USB flash drive? I had to think for a moment myself — and to be honest, I can’t remember exactly. For years, the USB stick was the device of choice when it came to fast and uncomplicated data transfer. Why do these practical storage aids hardly play a role today, and are they possibly even on the verge of extinction? A look at current developments sheds some light on this. Why are USB flash drives no longer popular? As compact and handy as they are, USB flash drives have lost much of their relevance in recent years. One of the main reasons is their comparatively low storage capacity. Many commercially available models end at 256GB or 512GB, which means that large amounts of data such as 4K videos, complete photo archives, or system backups can only be transported to a limited extent. Although there are also some high-end sticks with up to 2TB of memory, such as the Seagate Ultra Compact SSD, many people prefer to use an SSD for such capacities. The reason: SSDs generally use more powerful flash chips, which ensure higher data transfer rates and a longer service life. Another problem: The classic USB-A connection is hardly suitable for modern devices. Most laptops and tablets rely on USB-C, as do smartphones. mentioned in this article Seagate Ultra Compact SSD Read our review Best Prices Today: $79.99 at B & H Photo Although there are now USB sticks with Type C connectors, such as the aforementioned Seagate Ultra Compact. There are also so-called dual sticks with USB-A and USB-C connections, but in practice this is often a compromise. Many of these models rely on simple controllers and cheaper flash memory, which results in significantly slower transfer rates — especially when writing large files. Modern alternatives to USB flash drives External hard drives: Lots of storage for little money External hard drives, such as External drives, such as SSDs, are robust and powerful — with significantly more storage space than the average USB stick.External drives — whether classic HDDs or fast SSDs — are among the most popular alternatives to USB sticks. They offer significantly more storage (up to 4TB and more), and SSDs in particular impress with their high transfer speed via USB-C or Thunderbolt. While HDDs offer a lot of space at a favorable price, SSDs are the better choice for large amounts of data, as they are faster, more robust, and hardly more expensive in higher storage classes than comparable USB sticks. Advantages: Significantly more storage space than USB sticks Shock-resistant and durable, higher-quality flash chips Ideal for backups or large amounts of data Disadvantages: Larger and heavier than a USB stick Sometimes more expensive, especially for SSD models Sandisk Extreme Portable SSD 1TB (portable NVMe SSD) External drive with SSD technology 2.5 inch, USB-C, up to 2,000 MB/s read and write, NVMe SSD, IP65, 5-year warranty buy it on amazon for $119.99 Mattias Inghe Crucial X10 Pro 1TB Portable SSD External drive with SSD technology, USB-C, up to 2,100MB/s read and 2,000MB/s write, IP55 buy it on amazon for $104 Jon L. Jacobi SSK 2TB portable, external NVME SSD External drive with SSD technology, NVMe SSD, 2.7 inch, USB 3.2 Gen 2, 1,050MB/s read and 1,000MB/s write speed buy it on amazon for $134 Amazon Further reading: The best external drives we’ve tested SD cards: Small, fast – but not universal SD memory cards can be used SD memory cards can be used to expand mobile phone memory, for example.SD cards (or microSDs with an adapter) are also a compact alternative to USB sticks. They are standard, especially for cameras, drones, and mobile devices, as well as some laptops. In combination with a USB-C card reader, SD cards can even be used as mini storage drives for notebooks. Further reading: SD cards, demystified: How to decipher the confusing jumble of specs The advantage over classic USB sticks: SD cards can be used more flexibly in many areas, are often cheaper per gigabyte and — depending on the class and model — also achieve high transfer speeds. They are also easy to replace or permanently integrate into devices, such as cameras or laptops with card readers. So if you work with memory cards anyway, you can easily use them as a mobile drive (and save yourself the extra stick). Advantages: Extremely small and light Good speeds with modern UHS-II cards Can be used directly in many devices Disadvantages: Susceptible to loss or damage A card reader is usually required for use on a PC Amazon Basics microSDXC 128GB SD memory card with 128GB and SD adapter, 100MB/s maximum read speed buy it on amazon for $11.99 Sandisk Extreme PRO SDXC UHS-I memory card 512GB Sandisk UHS-I memory card, 512 GB, V30, transfer speed 200 MB/s, U3, 4K UHD videos, Sandisk QuickFlow technology buy it on amazon for $72 SanDisk Cloud services: Storage space always with you The cloud is probably the most modern alternative to USB sticks. Services such as Google Drive, Dropbox, iCloud, or OneDrive offer storage space on the internet that you can access from any device — without a physical drive. Advantages: Access from anywhere with an internet connection Ideal for collaboration and shared files Automatic synchronization possible Disadvantages: Dependent on a stable internet connection Limited free storage, followed by a paid subscription Data protection and encryption are important issues Conclusion: USB drive only for special cases? The humble USB flash drive has not yet completely lost its place — it is quite common and ideal for simple data transfers, firmware updates, or as a boot stick. But as an everyday solution, it is long outdated. The combination of limited memory, decreasing compatibility, and growing requirements makes it a discontinued model. Modern alternatives such as SSDs, SD cards, or cloud services offer better performance, more flexibility and, in many cases, a better price-performance ratio. Further reading: 6 genuinely helpful uses for the USB port on your router Read...

I don’t know how your tech drawers look, but mine are filled with wires I’ll likely never use again because technology has advanced quite a bit. Thankfully, USB-C seems to be here to stay since there is no wrong way to plug these things in. It’s not just smartphones, tablets, and laptops that use these, however, but also a long list of gadgets. We’ve scoured the market for hidden gems: 13 gadgets that will make you think “Wow, I didn’t know I needed that, but it will make my life so much easier!” Let’s dive in and see what cool devices you’ll be able to use your type-C cables and ports with. Unihand rechargeable hand warmers Unihand As the weather is getting colder, you sometimes wish you could warm up your hands a bit faster. Well, these $18 hand warmers are rechargeable and perfectly ready to keep your fingers toasty for up to 20 hours on a single charge. These gadgets feature a temperature sensor chip that helps you pick one of three temps for precise control. There are plenty of colors to choose from, too. Wowstick 1F+ mini electric screwdriver Wowstick If you often have to fiddle around with your computer or other gadgets, this Wowstick mini electric screwdriver may be just what you need. This pen-shaped screwdriver features three LED lights so it’s easier to see what you’re working on and rotates 200 times per minute so you can finish the job faster. The screwdriver has a stylish base so you can hold it on your desk, and a whole collection of 56 aluminum alloy bits. The screwdriver can be charged via USB-C and it can last for hours. This super fun electric screwdriver usually goes for $41. Anker Nano Power Bank Anker One thing you need to have in you bag/pocket/backpack is a power bank because you never really know when your phone will fail you and cry for a recharge. Well, the Anker Nano power bank is tiny enough to fit just about anywhere. It comes with a foldable USB-C connector and a port on the side so you can charge two devices at once if you need to. The 5,000mAh capacity is just about enough for a full phone recharge, so it will be great in a pinch. It’s also only $30, but we’ve seen it as low as $16. Endoscope camera with light Ennovor Although it’s not something you’ll use every day, this Ennover endoscope camera can definitely come in handy. You just plug it in your phone, install and app, and see everything your camera does. Our team swears by it, using it for finding whatever they dropped behind the desk, while working on the car, or looking for pipe leaks. Since it has an IP67 rating, you can even plop it in your aquarium. The camera comes with a 16.4ft semi-rigid cable and several accessories, including a hook, magnet, and a mirror. You can get this one for $17 right now. Blukar flashlight Blukar I don’t care who you are—you need a flashlight. The smaller, the better, because you get to shove it into any pocket. This model from Blukar comes with a built-in 1800mAh battery that you’ll recharge with one of those many type-C cables you have in that tech drawer we were talking about. It can work for up to 16 hours on a single charge, which is pretty decent. There are four different lightning modes to cycle through, including one that will help you signal for help. Plus, one of these is less than $8, so no excuse to pass on this one. Heat It insect bite healer Anyone plagued by mosquitoes in the summer will be particularly pleased with this ingenious gadget. This tiny device, which can be easily connected to your smartphone via USB-C, can significantly reduce the itching of bites and stings with targeted heat. You simply charge the small Heat It bite healer via the app and then hold it on the bite. The heat then does the rest, breaking down the proteins in the mosquito bite that cause the area to swell, itch, and hurt. A true must-have for summer, and it costs only $20 when on sale. A tiny air pump Also perfect for summer is this small air pump from Cycplus, which fits in any bag while on the go. Not only can it inflate a bicycle tire in two minutes at the touch of a button, but it’s also USB-charged. According to the manufacturer, it’s suitable for mountain bikes, road bikes, motorcycles, and even cars! In addition to being an air pump, this practical gadget can also be used as a flashlight or power bank for on-the-go use — all things that come in very handy on a bike ride. And at just $57 (although we’ve seen it for as low as $35) it’s highly recommended if you need quick help with a flat tire. USB-C mini fan These little fans are also pretty ingenious; you can easily carry them in your pocket in the summer and quickly use them whenever you need them. Anyone who’s ever sat on a crowded subway train in 30-degree heat and wished for at least a little fresh air will love this gadget. The mini fan, which costs just $20, has a USB-C port and can be easily powered by power banks, computers, laptops, or USB chargers. There are even smaller and cheaper fans available that can be connected directly to your phone, costing under $10 each. But these also provide less powerful airflow, so we recommend the standalone version. Reading light with a book clamp Anyone who enjoys reading a lot, sometimes late into the night, will appreciate this little gadget: a reading lamp that you can simply clip onto your book. It may not be groundbreaking, but with a total of three color temperatures and five different light modes, you can individually adjust how much light you need for reading. The Gritin reading lamp costs just $8 on Amazon and features a 1200 mAh battery that lasts up to 80 hours depending on usage. Afterward, you can easily recharge it via USB. You can swivel the neck of the lamp back and forth as desired, and there’s even a small charging indicator. What more could you want? External DVD Drive Amicool If your laptop is like mine and lacks a DVD drive, then this little gadget will come in handy for you. This Amicool external DVD drive uses a USB-C (or USB-A) to connect to your laptop and give yout he optical drive you sometimes need. It can read and burn DVDs and CDs with ease, allowing you to install software, copy files, back up data, play games, and so on. You won’t even need to install drives as this thing is plug and play. While this thing’s usually $29, you can often get it for around $20, which is an absolute bargain. Samsung flash drive Samsung The vast majority of flash drives have a USB-A connector, but this one from Samsung has a Type-C connector. With transfer speeds of up to 400MB/s, you’ll move files around in no time. The beauty of this thumb drive is that you can even pop it in your smartphone to record 4K vids directly on it. The Samsung Type-C flash drive comes in multiple storage options, starting at 64GB and up to 512GB and they start at $14. The 256GB version, for instance, is $27 at the time of writing. Type-C microSD card reader Ugreen Most laptops nowadays don’t come with a card reader anymore (I know mine doesn’t), so finding other ways to get data off those little buggers is a must. Whether you need to pull data off your dashcam’s card or if it’s from your camera, this tiny Ugreen USB-C microSD reader will work just fine. This reader is tiny enough that you should probably put it on a keychain of some kind. If you’d rather a slightly more versatile version, Ugreen has a model that also works with SD cards and features both USB-C and USB-A connectors. Any of these will cost you less than $10, so they’re worthwhile investments. USB-C to HDMI adapter Anker If your laptop has a USB-C port but you haven’t updated your monitor in ages, your display won’t feature a Type-C port. This Anker adapter fixes this problem for you, enabling you to connect the regular HDMI cable you plug in your monitor with this gadget. The adapter supports resolutions of up to 4K at 60Hz, which is pretty awesome. This is also a nifty way to connect your phone or tablet to your monitor or TV. This thing’s $20, but we’ve seen it as low as $12. Editor’s note: This article was originally published on May 16, but was updated to include additional devices. Read...

‘Tis the season for drinking hot coffee/tea/cocoa while looking wistfully out the window at autumn rains (and soon winter snows) while cozied up in a fluffy blanket. But if you’re like me and you tend to forget to actually drink the beverages you’ve made, then a good mug warmer set can save you from the horrible fate of a gone-cold brew. And if you ask me, this Ikago 15oz mug warmer set is the one to get, especially now that it’s $53.99 (was $89.99, that’s 40% off) on Amazon. It has all the little extras that elevate the mug warming effectiveness, and it looks so sleek and cute. It makes for a perfect gift, too! This electric mug warmer makes it so easy and convenient to keep your coffee/tea/cocoa warm, with temperature settings ranging from a lukewarm 105F to a hot-as-lava 175F, with accuracy driven by the frared technology in the heating base. It has safety protections too, with auto-shutoffs when your mug isn’t returned to the warmer in 16 minutes or when you haven’t touched the heating mug in 2 hours. One of my favorite things about this mug warming set is that even though it comes with a lovely 15oz mug, you can actually use it with any ceramic mug of pretty much any size. But you’ll probably want to use the included mug because it also comes with a lid and spoon, perfect for mixing in sugar and milk and trapping the heat inside. Ikago’s mug warming set comes in Dark Gray, Pink, and Beige colorways. All of them are on sale, so pick the one you like best and grab it for just $53.99 while you can! You still have plenty of time to enjoy it. It`s the ultimate solution for keeping your beverages as hot as you likeBuy this mug warming set on Amazon Read...

For better or worse, laptop docking stations have generally been “dumb” devices. Synaptics and its customers are hoping to change that. Right now, there are two main technologies that “compete” in the docking stations space: USB4 (which Intel puts its own spin on with its Thunderbolt 4 technology) and DisplayLink (a technology Synaptics bought in 2020). Thunderbolt supplies more raw bandwidth to docks, while DisplayLink uses compression technologies to deliver a high-speed video experience that approximates Thunderbolt. Normally, the best Thunderbolt docks compete against DisplayLink docks, and it’s easy to get lost in the raw horsepower that a Thunderbolt dock offers. Synaptics, however, believes its high-speed signaling finesse can give it a leg up in future devices. Synaptics sells its DisplayLink chips to dock makers like Anker, Kensington, Plugable, and Ugreen, making Synaptics the key chipmaker in those docking stations. Although Synaptics does plan a major expansion into the “competing” USB4 technology, it recently showed off a dock concept at a tech exhibition at its headquarters (in San Jose, California) this week, which turned the dock into something like a thin client with basic video and possibly even apps living at the edge. As of now, perhaps the closest approximation to Synaptics’ vision would be the Anker Prime Charger, a 250W USB-C charging dock with an integrated display. But Synaptics was especially proud of its Astra series of IoT SOCs, whose SL2610 series leverages a “Kelvin” NPU that Google contributed to the industry as an open-source design. What do you get when you take a regular dock and add an Astra? A “smart” dock. A Plugable concept docking station with an Astra chip connected.Mark Hachman / Framework Synaptics showed off some office applications, consumer applications, and video all running on an Astra development board connected to a Plugable DisplayLink dock. At CES 2026, the company expects to show off some LLM AI models running on top of that, said Ganesh Tekkatte, director of product marketing at Synaptics. “It’s a traditional dock, but it’s now also an AI-enabled dock,” added Harsha Rao, vice president of high speed interfaces and distributed compute at Synaptics. Synaptics calls this “edge AI,” and it was a key focus for the demonstrations that the company showed off. It all sounds somewhat familiar, with one demonstration showing gesture controls being used to control a consumer video streaming device, with visual recognition coming next. That’s a feature we’ve seen before with the Microsoft Kinect (though, years later, Synaptics can now do it far smaller and for far cheaper). Another opportunity is the automotive space, where your car could recognize you and adjust your seat, heating, and entertainment options differently than with other drivers in your family. In the PC market, Rao said an intelligent dock could replace a business PC in a hotel’s conference center or hotel room, or in a shared business environment. Putting intelligence in a dock could solve three problems: diagnosing any problems that the user might have right at the edge; intelligent bandwidth monitoring and management; and failure analysis of accessories connected to the dock. Intelligent bandwidth management could be an interesting feature, since DisplayLink usually works with a generic 10Gbps USB-C port rather than a specialized Thunderbolt connection. Rao said the dock could recognize that certain apps (like email) could always be routed to a connected 1080p display while more intensive apps (like CAD) be directed to a 4K display. “And the idea is that you could connect that with an on-screen display, because nobody wants to use the joystick [on the back of the display],” Rao said. Rao also said Synaptics is also working on a USB4 solution, which will debut in about a year and a half. He called DisplayLink a “poor man’s GPU, and said that the market was moving toward a more universal USB4 solution that could provide a cost-effective solution to Thunderbolt 4 and Thunderbolt 5. “And now is the time for us to do that.” Edge AI via sight and sound Synaptics also showed off its vision for universal presence detection using the Astra chip. Presence detection is nothing new—in Windows (Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options), you might see an option for “dynamic lock,” which uses a paired Bluetooth phone to detect when you’re nearby. But Synaptics is working with Dell’s Pro series laptops to integrate a presence-detection sensor with the webcam, and is working with Lenovo to add presence detection to Lenovo’s displays as well. Synaptics showing off universal presence detection.Mark Hachman / Framework In the demonstration, the presence detection simply identified which of two displays the user was looking at, and blurred the other. Synaptics has also implemented gesture control for moving the screen and controlling volume function, though its customers aren’t obligated to use it. One of Synaptics’ customers used the webcam for presence detection, but Synaptics would prefer a dedicated edge sensor that could provide the same function for about 20 cents more and up to 50 milliwatts. Synaptics also showed off how a smart display could sense the “owner” of the display and prioritize their voice during a video call. Edge AI can be sued to “lock on” a speciifc user.Mark Hachman / Framework Again, this all feels somewhat familiar. Brian Krzanich’s tenure at Intel was marked by BMX bikers performing stunts on a CES stage, and claims that edge sensors would supply the data for which Intel’s CPUs constantly clamor. “We are the only company that can actually put a solution mindset to this,” Rao said. “What I find out with my docking customers is what their compute needs, then we go talk to the processor [team],” Rao said. “Intel can not do that. The edge is not just coming with a sledgehammer and saying, we’ve got a processor. We actually go to there and say, what is the solution that I can solve with all the LEGO blocks we have?” Read...

Welcome to The Full Nerd newsletter—your weekly dose of hardware talk from the enthusiasts at PCWorld. Missed the latest topics on our YouTube show or burning news from across the web? You’re in the right place.  For this edition, I’m tag-teaming with Brad—the intro is all me, while Brad is recapping the episode and dropping his favorite links for you to share. Hope you enjoy the collab! ~Alaina > Want this newsletter to come directly to your inbox? Sign up on our website!  Is Windows 10’s death this week important? I think so. But I might be a minority.  For many folks, the hullabaloo this week about Windows 10’s demise feels overblown—after all, as Brad pointed out a couple of weeks ago, Microsoft is offering different ways to extend security updates. The hardware apocalypse we all anticipated won’t happen for another year.  I still believe it matters for a couple of reasons.  Security on Windows 10 will still be an issue, for starters. Even with the ability to extend updates, the process is done through Windows Update (?!), rather than a more visible part of the operating system. Or instead of logging into your Microsoft account—the very thing Microsoft is trying to enforce as the method to log into a Windows machine, so such a tie-in would be smart and seamless.  I expect some users won’t bother with extending their security updates. Or they’ll quit partway through the process after becoming confused. (I almost did, to be honest.)  But though I’m wary overall about Microsoft’s hot-cold approach to Windows 10’s lifespan, this gloominess is offset by the growing interest around alternative operating systems. I for one am very interested in how vibe of these smaller communities (and the interest in keeping older hardware alive) could shift.  I’ve complained about a certain type of Linux user before. I did so freely then and I stand by that opinion now. But I also recognize that our crew has seen so many chill, cool people pop up to say they too are on the same journey as Will and Adam—that Dual Boot Diaries isn’t just chronicling a newbie’s journey, it’s their journey as well.  IDG We’ve also had seasoned Linux veterans join our Discord server who collaborate in discussions and help individuals best optimize for their use case—and we have an ever-growing group of new Discord members coming from this slice of the Linux userbase. It’s amazing to be part of.  I’ve fretted in previous weeks about the future for enthusiast hardware and DIY PC building overall. (Hasn’t helped that the latest news includes a new proposal for an additional 100% tariff rate on Chinese goods.) But I’m also aware that for many people, a desktop PC is just a way to get online—and you don’t need new hardware to get that done. Put a lightweight operating system on an older machine (like ChromeOS Flex or Linux), and it’s smooth sailing.  I’ve actually enjoyed the idea of going back to older hardware to give them new life. In some ways, that fits the spirit of The Full Nerd just as much as being hyped for the 5090’s successor. How can you do as much possible with what you’ve got?  Also, it just seems fun to whip out an old MacBook Air and then watch others get confused about what’s on the screen.  In this episode of The Full Nerd  Hey, it’s Brad tagging in! Windows 11 works pretty OK once you get it set up right, just saying. But in this episode of The Full Nerd, Adam Patrick Murray, Will Smith, and Brad Chacos (that’s me!) dive deeper into all the hot Panther Lake news, building faux-Lego system-on-chip replicas and battling gremlins in our new streaming rig all the while. The gang gets more hot and bothered talking about the technology underpinning Intel’s new chips (like the long-awaited Intel 18A process, innovative backside power delivery system, and Foveros chip-stacking) than the somewhat murky idea of the chips themselves. This was a tech tour announcement, after all — not a firm reveal of final hardware. And the tech is looking good. Speaking of good looking new tech, we also discuss the latest developments in Product Amethyst, AMD and Sony’s collaboration to accelerate the next generation of gaming graphics. PlayStation architect Mark Cerny and Radeon chief Jack Huynh sat down to discuss the new Radiance Cores, Neural Arrays, and Universal Compression technology coming to future PlayStation consoles — and likely Radeon graphics cards. There’s a lot here that portends big changes to AMD’s PC hardware in coming years, and the gang unpacks it all. (Did I mention that two of us are graphics card reviewers and Will makes video games?) Willis Lai / Foundry Missed our live show? Subscribe now to The Full Nerd Network YouTube channel, and activate notifications. We also answer viewer questions in real-time!  Don’t miss out on our NEW shows too—you can catch episodes of Dual Boot Diaries and The Full Nerd: Extra Edition now!  And if you need more hardware talk during the rest of the week, come join our Discord community—it’s full of cool, laid-back nerds.  This week’s nerd news  This week wasn’t as jam-packed with delectable hardware news as last week, but there was still plenty of scintillatingly geeky tidbits you don’t want to miss. Like sexting with robots! This place goes to hell when Alaina isn’t around, sorry. Copilot Actions will unleash autonomous AI agents on Windows 11. Sounds terrifying awesome, nothing could go wrong here. It’s the keystone feature in Microsoft’s new AI-infused vision for the future of Windows 11… and none of the newly announced goodies require an NPU. If every Windows 11 PC is an AI PC, what does that mean for Copilot+? Edifier It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s… cute lil gaming PC? Sike! It’s a rad new Edifier speaker that looks like a cute lil gaming PC. Are we benchmarking graphics wrong? Gamers Nexus’s deep-dive into “animation error methodology” gave me a lot to think about. This issue is becoming more important with the proliferation of upscaling tools like DLSS, XeSS, and FSR. Apple’s M5 chip is here. You’ll find it inside the MacBook Pro, iPad Pro, and Vision Pro VR headset to start. Windows 10 is gone. Well, kinda — you can still opt into another year of security updates without too much effort. You’re exasperating, Microsoft. If you’re sticking with Windows 10, here’s how to do it safely. I wish I was playing Battlefield 6 instead of working right now. Alas. On the plus side, “working” for me means “watching this awesome video Will did on BF6 smoothness.” Be sure to check out Hardware Unboxed’s delightfully thorough videos on BF6 GPU and CPU benchmarks as well! Michael Crider/Foundry Asus nailed the ROG Xbox Ally’s hardware. Too bad that Windows itself continues to hold Steam Deck rivals back, despite the ROG Xbox Ally including a new “Xbox Fullscreen Experience” that ostensibly tries to smooth off rough edges. Let the concept bake in the oven a bit longer before you consider picking one up. A NUC with high-end AMD Radeon chip inside?! Intel may have birthed NUCs and the mini PC craze, but this is definitely Asus’ baby now. Sam Altman says ChatGPT will sext with adults later this year. Cool. Cool cool cool. Once again, sounds terrifying awesome, nothing can go wrong here. For a vibe check, I asked ChatGPT Pro what to do if a loved one is stuck in a dryer. We have a strict “no AI writing” policy here at PCWorld, but in the interest of responsible journalism, here’s what it said: “If someone is struck or trapped inside a dryer, this is a serious emergency — here’s what to do immediately: ?? 1. Call Emergency Services (911 or local emergency number) Report that someone is trapped in or struck by a dryer. Give the dispatcher your exact location and describe the situation clearly. Stay on the phone and follow their instructions. ? 2. Turn Off the Power Unplug the dryer or shut off the circuit breaker immediately. Do not try to pull them out while the machine is running or powered — electrical or mechanical parts could cause more harm. ?? 3. If They Are Stuck Do not try to force them out if they are physically trapped; you could worsen injuries or cause burns. Keep them calm and still. If safe, gently open the door to improve air and visibility, but wait for firefighters or paramedics who have proper tools to free them safely. ?? 4. If They Are Injured Check for breathing and pulse. If unresponsive and not breathing, start CPR if you are trained. Treat burns or bruises with cool (not cold) water if the dryer was hot, but avoid applying ointments or creams. ?? 5. When Help Arrives Provide emergency responders with details — how long the person was in or near the dryer, whether it was on, and what type of injuries you observed. If this has just happened, stop reading and call 911 right now — even if you think the person seems okay. Dryers can cause serious trauma, burns, or oxygen deprivation in seconds.” Sorry to be a bummer, future StepGPTbros. Catch you all next week—just in time for the perfect holiday. Who doesn’t love buying candy half-off after Halloween ends?  ~Alaina & Brad  This newsletter is dedicated to the memory of Gordon Mah Ung, founder and host of The Full Nerd, and executive editor of hardware at PCWorld. Read...

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Archer and Emergence Quantum have partnered to develop graphene-based quantum devices, aiming to commercialise innovations in quantum technology and advanced electronics. Read...

OVHcloud launches AI-driven cooling technology in its datacentres, cutting water use by 30% and cooling energy consumption by 50%, boosting sustainability. Read...