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I finally found a thermal camera that works on iPhone and Android

ZDNET's key takeaways The Topdon TC992C Duo Thermal Camera is available now for $269 on Amazon. It's an accurate and reliable thermal camera for iPhone, Android, and Windows. It's a bit more expensive than some of the other thermal imaging cameras. View now at Amazon I'm a big fan of having a thermal camera (or two) as part of my repair kit. I use them for all sorts of applications, from detecting faulty components on circuit boards to figuring out where that pesky draught is coming from in w

Stop buying cheap multitools - here's the one I recommend instead

A good multitool can be a reliable companion for decades (as long as you don't lose it!). Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET I like having a good multitool close at hand and at all times. While they can't replace a proper toolkit, I don't fancy carrying a full toolkit with me when I'm out and about. Many of my readers are like me, often finding themselves doing random and unplanned DIY tasks throughout the day, so having a portable toolkit that can handle the basics is essential. Also: Storms and ba

Open source X rival Mastodon begins raising funds with new in-app donation feature

Open source X and Threads competitor Mastodon will begin experimenting with a new way to raise funds: in-app donations. The organization on Wednesday announced it’s launching a campaign that introduces banners inside its Android and iOS apps, prompting users to make a monetary donation. Initially, the feature will be shown only to those on the Mastodon servers the nonprofit itself operates, Mastodon.social and Mastodon.online. These banners will be easy to dismiss, Mastodon says, and will only

9 programming tasks you shouldn't hand off to AI - and why

Mininyx Doodle / Getty Images It's over. Programming as a profession is done. Just sign up for a $20-per-month AI vibe coding service and let the AI do all the work. Right? Also: What is AI vibe coding? It's all the rage but it's not for everyone -- here's why Despite the fact that tech companies like Microsoft are showing coders the door by the thousands, AI cannot and will not be the sole producer of code. In fact, there are many programming tasks for which an AI is not suited. In this art

Topics: ai ais code don use

Are we Trek yet? – A guide for how close we are to Star Trek technology

The year is 2025 ...and we're still working on it! Matter replicators, organic transporters, and warp drives are a little hazy on the timeline, but it seems like the holodeck and emergency medical hologram are just about here. This guide is intended to be a comprehensive look at the tech that Star Trek suggested to drive humanity forward ad astra per aspera. The emphasis is on innovations that don't violate physics according to present consensus understanding. Go ahead and explore boldly, and

Topics: don going just star trek

TODOs aren't for doing

July 21, 2025 Some teams require that every TODO comment in a codebase gets logged in the bug tracker. Others automatically delete any “stale” TODO that has been in the codebase for over a year. Don’t do it! TODO comments don’t need to get done in order to be valuable. If you have // TODO: Write the second half of this file so next week's launch won't explode then sure, you should probably track that somewhere. But to me, a good TODO looks more like this: // TODO: If the user triple-clicks

Marine biologist for a day: Ars goes shark tagging

MIAMI—We were beginning to run out of bait, and the sharks weren't cooperating. Everybody aboard the Research Vessel Garvin had come to Miami for the sharks—to catch them, sample them, and tag them, all in the name of science. People who once wanted to be marine biologists, actual marine biologists, shark enthusiasts, the man who literally wrote the book Why Sharks Matter, and various friends and family had spent much of the day sending fish heads set with hooks over the side of the Garvin. But

TODOs Aren't for Doing

July 21, 2025 Some teams require that every TODO comment in a codebase gets logged in the bug tracker. Others automatically delete any “stale” TODO that has been in the codebase for over a year. Don’t do it! TODO comments don’t need to get done in order to be valuable. If you have // TODO: Write the second half of this file so next week's launch won't explode then sure, you should probably track that somewhere. But to me, a good TODO looks more like this: // TODO: If the user triple-clicks

The 5 Best Protein Bars a Fitness Expert Has Tested in 2025

What we like about it: The Perfect Bar needs to be refrigerated to stay fresh. This protein bar reminds me of a solid yet crumbly cookie dough bar. One bar can have approximately 200 to 300 calories, give or take, and 11 to 17 grams of protein, depending on the flavor. The total sugars are under 20 grams, but don't include added sugars since they vary depending on the protein bar. This is a dense protein bar, and while higher in calories than others on the list, it can be good to have on hand if

We have made the decision to not continue paying for BBB accreditation

We have made the conscious choice not to continue paying for accreditation from the Better Business Bureau (BBB). We realize that this may raise questions among our customers, and we want to explain why we made this decision. For years, people have been told to look for BBB accredited businesses, and that it somehow reflects whether a business is on the up and up. What most don’t realize is that businesses PAY to be accredited with the BBB. You do not EARN an accreditation- you buy it. A few m

We Have Made the Decision to Not Continue Paying for BBB Accreditation

We have made the conscious choice not to continue paying for accreditation from the Better Business Bureau (BBB). We realize that this may raise questions among our customers, and we want to explain why we made this decision. For years, people have been told to look for BBB accredited businesses, and that it somehow reflects whether a business is on the up and up. What most don’t realize is that businesses PAY to be accredited with the BBB. You do not EARN an accreditation- you buy it. A few m

Yes, You Can Still Get Games for Less Than $50. These Are the Best I've Played

It's hard to express just how good this game is. Sandfall Interactive's Claire Obscur: Expedition 33 feels as impactful and genre-defining as ground-breaking Japanese-style roleplaying games before it, like Final Fantasy. It mixes classic turn-based combat with real-time action gameplay, giving the combat a new yet familiar feel. The story pulls you in right from the start with its melancholy tone and gorgeous French setting, and the cast of characters will no doubt be forever etched into video

Ryanair may increase commission to staff identifying oversized cabin bags

Ryanair has said that in a bid to "eliminate the scourge" of passengers bringing oversized baggage to the boarding gate, the airline is considering increasing the commission it pays staff for identifying them. Currently Ryanair employees are paid around €1.50 for every oversized cabin bag that they identify, and passengers are charged additional fees if their bag is deemed to be too large to bring on-board the plane. According to the airline's policy, passengers who bring cabin luggage - measu

Life Without Screens: This Camp Is a Teen’s Worst Nightmare

Summer. For teens not at work, it’s hot, it’s boring, and it’s an ideal time to close the door and spend about every waking moment watching, playing, texting, streaming—anything but talking—on the phone. With almost half of teenagers in the US saying they’re online almost constantly, the adults in their lives are growing more desperate to drag them off. Families are establishing screen-free zones in their homes, states are banning phones in schools, and a new kind of summer camp has emerged: dig

Gmail's backup codes are useless to access account

Ok, I have a work account on Gmail. Having the experience of being locked out of Gmail previously (endless loop of "You are entering the correct password but we're not sure that it is you, try again later"), I created a 2fa via Google Authenticator and set up Backup Codes and thought I'm safe from them asking me to sign in on another device or enter sms code (I don't carry that phone with me). So, one sunny day I decided to add standard iOS mail app to this account, and lo, an hour after connec

‘Suzzanna: The Queen of Black Magic’ Is a Colorful Portrait of a Cult Horror Legend

Suzzanna: The Queen of Black Magic offers an excellent introduction to the Indonesian movie legend, but it’s a fun watch even if you’re already familiar with her work. Just about the only prerequisite for enjoyment is being a horror fan, because David Gregory’s documentary is packed with clips from Suzzanna’s gloriously over-the-top filmography, especially her much-loved early-’80s entries. “The Queen of Indonesian Horror,” as she came to be known, was born during World War II; she knew from an

Don't Fall for AI: Reasons for Writers to Reject Slop

Indie writers can be under great pressure to write quickly, so it’s no surprise that a few have resorted to using generative AI software such as ChatGPT. Other writers may look to AI as a quick fix when they hit a roadblock. Plus, publishing on a budget can be tough, so AI-generated images and audio may seem like a good solution. Big tech companies with loads of advertising cash would like you to think that generative AI is the inevitable future of writing. So would some influencers who are pro

Topics: ai don indie people use

Voting age to be lowered to 16 in UK by next general election

The voting age will be lowered to 16 across the UK by the next general election in a major change of the democratic system. The government said it was a reform to bring in more fairness for 16- and 17-year-olds, many of whom already work and are able to serve in the military. It brings the whole of the UK voting age to 16. Scotland and Wales have already made the change for Holyrood and Senedd elections, as well as local council elections. In a sweeping package of changes, ministers will also

Researchers announce babies born from a trial of three-person IVF

The study, which makes use of a technology called mitochondrial donation, has been described as a “tour de force” and “a remarkable accomplishment” by others in the field. In the team’s approach, patients’ eggs are fertilized with sperm, and the DNA-containing nuclei of those cells are transferred into donated fertilized eggs that have had their own nuclei removed. The new embryos contain the DNA of the intended parents along with a tiny fraction of mitochondrial DNA from the donor, floating in

Donkey Kong Bananza's creators reflect on the game's path to delightful destruction

On Tuesday, Nintendo published an interview with the creators of Donkey Kong Bananza. The second big Switch 2 tentpole title comes from the team that made Super Mario Odyssey. The developers explained how they laid the foundation for DK's first 3D adventure since the Nintendo 64 era. Destruction is at the heart of Donkey Kong Bananza. Everything in his environment can be smashed to bits. Not only is that a fun mechanic, but it also adds an element of verticality and freedom of exploration. That

Donkey Kong Bananza is a worthy successor to Super Mario Odyssey’s legacy

Game details Developer: Nintendo Publisher: Nintendo Platform: Switch 2 Release Date: July 17, 2025 ESRB Rating: E-10+ for Everyone 10 and Over Price: $70 Links: Amazon | Nintendo eShop | Official website When the Switch 2 was fully unveiled in April, we weren't alone in expecting the announcement of a true follow-up to Super Mario Odyssey—one of the original Switch's best-selling games and our pick for the best game of 2017. Instead, we got our first look at Donkey Kong Bananza, the big

‘Fantastic Four: First Steps’ Reveals Galactus’ Big Goal

Noah Hawley teases a plethora of new creatures coming to Alien: Earth. Mark Frost weighs in on the potential future of Twin Peaks after David Lynch’s passing. Plus, Jennifer Love Hewitt wants you to stick around after the credits for I Know What You Did Last Summer. Spoilers now! SuperUnknown Deadline reports Madeleine McGraw (The Black Phone, The Black Phone 2) is attached to star in SuperUnknown, “a supernatural coming-of-age thriller” from directors Chris and Nick Riedell. The story is said

Topics: david don just know new

Donkey Kong Might Be Nintendo’s Next Cinematic Leading… Ape

Donkey Kong is having a moment. This summer, not only did Mario’s original foe get his first theme park ride in the United States, but he’s also got Donkey Kong Bananza, his own mega game coming to Switch 2 later this week, and he might even be getting a movie sometime in the future. As of right now, we know there are two Nintendo movies in the works. A sequel to the mega-hit Super Mario Bros. movie scheduled for release April 3, 2026, as well as a live-action film based on The Legend of Zelda,

Best Buy is restocking the Nintendo Switch 2 on July 17

If you've been hunting high and low for a Nintendo Switch 2 , then get ready to visit your local Best Buy on July 17 . The electronics retailer will be restocking the handheld in all of its stores to coincide with the release of Donkey Kong Bananza , the first 3D Donkey Kong game in almost 30 years. The Nintendo Switch 2 has been one of the hottest launches of the summer, and it remains in short supply due to high demand. Even the Amazon listing for the Switch 2 is available only by invitation

A Donkey Kong movie is a safe bet for Nintendo’s growing entertainment empire

It’s looking like Nintendo might have a DK-sized addition to its feature film lineup. The company has filed a copyright notice for a motion picture listed as an “Untitled Donkey Kong Project.” And last month, Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa said in an investors call that the company was working on more movies, explaining that “although we cannot discuss our plans beyond The Legend of Zelda movie at this time, we are working on various other projects.” So even though a Donkey Kong movie isn’

Summer Games Done Quick 2025 raises $2.4 million for Doctors Without Borders

Another weeklong round-the-clock spree of speedrunning video games has come to a close, with Summer Games Done Quick raising $2,436,614 for Doctors Without Borders. Held in Minneapolis, the event saw 37,776 donations, with the highest contribution being a solo $61,200 donation. This year, 2,600 in-person attendees got to experience a hectic relay race pitting two teams of four against each other to complete a Super Mario Maker 2 level and a full playthrough of Donkey Kong Jungle Beat in less th

5 features I don’t care about when buying a new phone

C. Scott Brown / Android Authority When it comes to buying a new smartphone, it’s easy to get caught up in all the hype. Manufacturers constantly push the latest and greatest features, leading many of us to buy more phone than we actually need. When I’m in the market for a new phone, I always try to narrow down my options as much as possible. I do that by making a list of not only the features I want in my next smartphone but also those I don’t care about. This approach helps me cut through th