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Show HN: Oasis – an open-source, 3D-printed smart terrarium

Oasis https://oasis-terrarium.com Oasis is a fully open-source, mostly 3d-printed smart terrarium. It provides the ideal environment for humidity-loving plants like mosses, ferns, orchids, and many others. The design includes: high power LED lighting a mister for providing plants with water and maintaining high humidity fans for airflow a temperature/humidity sensor for monitoring environment conditions wifi connectivity to allow control and configuration from your phone or computer (see

The First Reactions to ‘Ironheart’ Are All Over the Place

We’re on the eve of a new Marvel show, and the House of Mouse has started allowing press who’ve seen all six episodes of Ironheart to share how they think. While the early verdicts swing pretty wildly between positive and mild shrugs at best, there’s also a lot of hints that the series’ back half includes a pretty wild climax. While there does seem to be a wide range of opinions, it seems like most of whether or not Ironheart lands with people clicks with its flow, with many critics pointing to

This Ruko 6K Drone Is Cheaper Than Its Black Friday Price on Amazon, No Need to Wait for Prime Day

Fourth of July is coming up. If you want a fancy new toy to show off to your friends and family when they come over for the cookout, consider this Ruko F11PRO 2 drone. Normally priced at $570, it’s actually part of a limited time deal over at Amazon. For the time being, you can can pick it up for a solid 40% discount. That brings the price down to just $340—saving you a whopping $230. You can put that extra cash towards some hot dogs or maybe some fireworks. Just consider not flying the drone wh

9 Rules For Keeping Your Kitchen Cool During a Heat Wave

Record-breaking heat has descended upon the Midwest and Northeast yet again. Scorching temps in spring and early summer are now the norm, not the exception, which makes keeping your home cool while cooking a daunting task. Before you reach for the takeout menu or delivery app, consider my bible for keeping the kitchen cool while cooking, even during a heat wave. Read more: Best Foods for Staying Hydrated During Hot Weather Using the right appliances and cooking at certain times will help keep

I skipped every Death Stranding cutscene and I’ll do it again

I beat the original Death Stranding, but please don’t ask me what happened in it. There was a cataclysm — not quite a Gommage — that made the US more divided than ever, and you play as a babysitter-meets-delivery-guy who has special awareness of invisible, hostile creatures called BTs that are “beached,” which isn’t as relaxing as it sounds. There are grenades filled with pee, poop, and blood, and everyone who’s anyone was motion-captured to be in the game. There are whales, Guillermo del Toro (

Android’s youthful new design will change the way you make and answer calls

is a news writer who covers the streaming wars, consumer tech, crypto, social media, and much more. Previously, she was a writer and editor at MUO. Google is freshening up its Phone app with a new interface that’s supposed to make it easier to find contacts and your calls. The test is gradually rolling out to some of Google’s public beta users, and also includes some style changes that align with Android’s more youthful Material 3 Expressive design language. For starters, Google has changed up

Microsoft planning ‘major’ Xbox layoffs next week

is a senior editor and author of Notepad , who has been covering all things Microsoft, PC, and tech for over 20 years. Microsoft is planning to cut jobs in the company’s Xbox gaming business, as early as next week. I first reported in Notepad earlier this month that Microsoft was planning Xbox layoffs “potentially by the end of the month,” and now Bloomberg says a round of “major layoffs” is due next week. I understand managers at Microsoft have been briefed about Xbox cuts and wider layoffs i

Nintendo’s wheelchair basketball game will be out in August

is a reporter who covers the business, culture, and communities of video games, with a focus on marginalized gamers and the quirky, horny culture of video game communities. Drag x Drive is the next Switch 2 exclusive to get a release date. Nintendo, via its Nintendo Today news app, announced that the 3 v 3 wheelchair basketball game would be out August 14th. Since the launch of the Switch 2 earlier this month, most of the new console’s catalogue has been third party releases like Deltarune and

How war-torn Myanmar plays a critical role in China's rare earth dominance

Illustration of the national flag of the People's Republic of China and a mining site. Craig Hastings | Moment | Getty Images Beijing has been stepping up controls on rare earth exports, triggering global shortages and exposing industries' dependence on Chinese supply chains. However, over recent years, China itself has become reliant on rare earth supplies from an unexpected source: the relatively small and war-torn economy of Myanmar. While China is the world's top producer of rare earths, it

Outright Games teams with animation studio Aardman to make Chicken Run: Eggstraction

Outright Games, a publisher of family-friendly interactive entertainment, is working with animation studio Aardman on the game Chicken Run: Eggstraction. Based on Aardman’s iconic Chicken Run franchise, this top-down, heist game picks up where Aardman’s 2023 film Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget left off, as the gang works together to save chicken-kind. Chicken Run: Eggstraction will launch this autumn, on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC through S

Yale’s new Smart Lock with Matter is the perfect smart home upgrade for people with app fatigue

Yale TL;DR Yale is releasing its new Smart Lock with Matter support. The lock can be set up and operated entirely within Google Home. Operation requires the use of a Matter hub with a Thread border router. How many times have you considered a new addition to your smart home, but stopped yourself at the last moment? Do I really need another app in my life? Another account I’ll have to create? App fatigue is a real thing, and with as many as we need to interact with on a daily basis, sometimes

Two wearables are better than one, according to Amazfit’s latest launch

Amazfit TL;DR Amazfit has launched the new Balance 2 fitness tracking watch and screen-free Helio Strap. The devices are available now for $299.99 and $99.99, respectively, or bundled for $379.99 for users who want an integrated tracking experience. Highlights include the company’s new BioCharge scoring and no subscription fees. Amazfit has officially kicked off the summer with the launch of two new devices, the Balance 2 smartwatch and the Helio Strap, a screen-free tracker designed for tra

Creative clash pauses McConaughey & Harrelson Apple TV+ comedy series

Apple TV+ has halted production for its upcoming untitled “brothers” comedy starring Matthew McConaughey (Interstellar, The Lost Bus) and Woody Harrelson (True Detective, Natural Born Killers). Here’s what happened. Creative differences on season conclusion halt production According to an exclusive report by Deadline’s Nellie Andreeva, filming on the project was suspended late last week, with the cast sent home. The production hiccup is due to the departure of showrunner David West Read (Schi

HDMI 2.2's full specs have been finalized, with better support for modern displays

The new cables have to be labeled 'Ultra96' to indicate they support up to 96Gbps in bandwidth. The HDMI forum, which develops and manages HDMI specification, has officially launched the final and full specifications for HDMI version 2.2. First revealed at CES 2025, version 2.2 was designed to make it significantly easier to send videos with higher refresh rates and resolutions to modern TVs, such as those with 4K and 8K displays. Version 2.2 cables are required to be branded with the Ultra96 f

The xMEMS 'fan on a chip' is ready for smart glasses

As AI reignites Big Tech's push for smart glasses, here's a tech that could play a central role. xMEMS, which debuted a solid-state "fan on a chip" last year, has a new one for wearables. This could help future smart glasses melt your face figuratively — and not literally. Founded in 2018, xMEMS specializes in micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) technology. The California-based company started with solid-state speakers. Last year, it introduced its µCooling "fan on a chip" for phones and oth

US House bans WhatsApp on staff devices over security concerns

The U.S. House of Representatives has banned the installation and use of WhatsApp on government-issued devices belonging to congressional staff, citing concerns over how the app encrypts and secures data. The ban covers mobile phones, laptops, desktop computers, and any web browsers used on those devices. Congressional staff are still free to use WhatsApp on their personal devices, which existing policies dictate are not allowed in sensitive areas such as classified briefings or secure facilit

Why I replaced my Whoop band with this fitness strap (hint: there's no subscription)

ZDNET's key takeaways The Amazfit Helio Strap is available now for $99. As a smartwatch alternative, the strap offers virtually all the same health tracking features via the robust Zepp app, with over a week of battery life. The fabric strap isn't made of exceedingly high quality materials, but luckily can be easily replaced. View now at Amazfit Amazfit, makers of such smartwatches as the Bip 5 and the new Balance 2, just released its new Helio Strap, a fitness tracker that has all the core f

As a golfer, this is the smartwatch I recommend most on the course

ZDNET's key takeaways The Amazfit Balance 2 smartwatch is available now for $249. The watch has a vivid AMOLED display with sapphire glass, 21-day battery life, dual speakers, and advanced golf features. Subscription music services are not supported and the app store is still limited. View now at Amazon Late last year I bought a lovely Woodland Brown Amazfit Balance and still marvel at the look, feel, and performance of that $200 smartwatch. For the past couple of weeks, I've been using its s

Your Android phone just got a major upgrade for free - including these Pixel models

Kerry Wan/ZDNET Android 16 is officially here, and Google has some big upgrades on the way. Instead of releasing a new OS and a new phone lineup at the same time, Google is making the same move it did with Android 15 and giving both software and hardware their time to shine. Also: How to turn on Android's Private DNS mode - and why it's an absolute must for security This is the earliest Google has launched a major Android release in a while (for comparison, Android 15 was released on Oct. 15

This premium Lenovo Chromebook made me forget about my MacBook and Windows PC

The Lenovo Chromebook Plus with an OLED display. Kyle Kucharski/ZDNET Chromebooks are continuing to level up. Google just announced a host of new AI features live in ChromeOS now, along with the Lenovo Chromebook Plus, an all-new device with an OLED display, up to 16GB of RAM, and up to 17 hours of battery life -- the most of any Chromebook to date. Also: The best Chromebooks for students in 2025: Expert tested and reviewed I recently had a chance to go hands-on with the Lenovo Chromebook P

Newborns have elevated levels of a biomarker for Alzheimer's

This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Brain Communications (2025). DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcaf221 Newborn babies and patients with Alzheimer's disease share an unexpected biological trait: elevated levels of a well-known biomarker for Alzheimer's, as shown in a study led by researchers at the University of Gothenburg and published in Brain Comm

Retrieval Augmented Generation Based on SQLite

Haiku SQLite RAG A Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) library on SQLite. Features Local SQLite : No need to run additional servers : No need to run additional servers Support for various embedding providers : You can use Ollama, VoyageAI, OpenAI or add your own : You can use Ollama, VoyageAI, OpenAI or add your own Hybrid Search : Vector search using sqlite-vec combined with full-text search FTS5 , using Reciprocal Rank Fusion : Vector search using combined with full-text search , using

Basic Facts about GPUs

Basic facts about GPUs last updated: 2025-06-18 I’ve been trying to get a better sense of how GPUs work. I’ve read a lot online, but the following posts were particularly helpful: This post collects various facts I learned from these resources. Acknowledgements: Thanks to Alex McKinney for comments on independent thread scheduling. Table of Contents Compute and memory hierarchy A GPU’s design creates an imbalance since it can compute much faster than it can access its main memory. An NVID

Anker’s 14-in-1 Prime Docking Station Hits a New Record Low as June Deals Wrap Up for a Limited Time

There are a surprising number of ways in which you can make your modern life a little bit more convenient. There are things like robot vacuums and great air fryers, sure, but sometimes the upgrades need to be a little less exciting, but a little more efficient. If you work from home or just have a small desk at work, sometimes you just need a bit more utility, and we’ve got an excellent deal for you today. See at Amazon The Anker Prime Docking Station would normally cost you $270, but thanks t

Why the Shortest Day of Your Life Could Happen This Summer

Earth might be about to spin out its fastest day on record. And no one knows why. On July 9, 22, or August 5, our planet might complete the fastest spin on its axis ever recorded, breaking last year’s record, according to Graham Jones, an astrophysicist writing for timeanddate.com—a website dedicated to tracking time and time zones. According to the website, Earth spins faster when the Moon’s orbit takes it significantly north or south relative to the equator (among other factors). The differe

Sony Is Practically Giving Away 4.5-Star Rated Wired On-Ear Headphones for Under $10 to Clear Out Stock

Not every pair of headphones needs to have noise cancellation, touch controls, or a premium price tag to be worth your money. Sometimes, the best pair is the one that just gets the job done. That means they produce sound and they connect to your devices. It doesn’t have to get any more complicated than that. If you’re looking for that kind of everyday listening solution, the Sony ZX Series Wired On-Ear Headphones are worth buying, especially when you can get them at such a great price. Head to

Dealing With Spotty Internet? A Network Switch Might Fix It

Your home internet connection can run just fine without a network switch, so is it essential to have one? I spoke with an expert from Netgear to find out the benefits of using one. Spoiler: It can enhance your connection. If you’re serious about optimizing your internet connection, using a network switch could take it to the next level. However, there are details to consider before investing in a network switch. A network switch is a device you connect to your router. It opens up more Ethernet

Monarch Money Review 2025: Best Budgeting App for Couples

Managing your money can be hard enough, but managing money as a couple can be especially tricky. Fortunately, a budgeting app can make things easier. Monarch Money is designed for joint budgeters, with features like shared goal tracking and monthly reports to help you stay on the same page. The app gets great ratings with Apple and Android users, with 4.9 stars out of 5 on the App Store and 4.7 stars on Google Play. I tested it out to see if these scores were warranted, and I was impressed. Her

UK looking to loosen Google’s control of its search engine

The UK’s competition regulator is proposing to loosen Google’s control of its search engine in the first application of Britain’s tough new digital market rules. The Competition and Markets Authority said on Tuesday that Google could be required to implement new “fair ranking” measures in its search results and give publishers more control over how it uses their content, including in output generated by artificial intelligence. The CMA said it was minded to hand Google “strategic market status

A week in Xbox VR with Microsoft and Meta’s new $399 headset

is a senior editor and author of Notepad , who has been covering all things Microsoft, PC, and tech for over 20 years. Microsoft and Meta announced an Xbox-branded Quest VR headset last year, and it’s going on sale today for $399.99. The Meta Quest 3S Xbox Edition is a custom colorway VR headset that comes bundled with an Xbox wireless controller, matching Touch Plus controllers, and three months of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. I’ve been using the Quest 3S Xbox Edition over the past week, and I wa