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The Robinhood founder who might just revolutionize energy, if he succeeds

When Baiju Bhatt stepped away from his role as Chief Creative Officer at Robinhood last year, only those close to him could have predicted his next move: launching a space company built around technology the aerospace industry has largely dismissed, and that might be more groundbreaking than anyone realizes. If people aren’t paying much attention, that’s just fine with Bhatt, who co-founded the trading app in 2013, five years after earning his master’s degree in mathematics at Stanford. It mean

The Download: future grids, and bad boy bots

Is this the electric grid of the future? Lincoln Electric System, a publicly owned utility in Nebraska, is used to weathering severe blizzards. But what will happen soon—not only at Lincoln Electric but for all electric utilities—is a challenge of a different order. Utilities must keep the lights on in the face of more extreme and more frequent storms and fires, growing risks of cyberattacks and physical disruptions, and a wildly uncertain policy and regulatory landscape. They must keep pric

Anker issues recall for popular power bank due to fire risk - stop using this model now

Kerry Wan/ZDNET The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued a new recall for the Anker PowerCore 10000 power bank, model number A1263. According to the report, the lithium-ion battery inside can overheat, causing the device to become a fire and burn hazard to consumers. "Anker has received 19 reports of fires and explosions" caused by its faulty power bank. Among those incidents, there have been "two reports of minor burn injuries" (thankfully not requiring medical a

Inside the US power struggle over coal

But the Trump administration wants to keep coal power alive, and the US Department of Energy recently ordered some plants to stay open past their scheduled closures. Here’s why there’s a power struggle over coal. Coal used to be king in the US, but the country has dramatically reduced its dependence on the fuel over the past two decades. It accounted for about 20% of the electricity generated in 2024, down from roughly half in 2000. While the demise of coal has been great for US emissions, the

Is this the electric grid of the future?

Following the unanimous approval by Lancaster County commissioners of a 304-megawatt solar plant outside Lincoln, one of the largest in the state, local opponents appealed. The project’s developer, the Florida-based behemoth NextEra Energy Resources, made news in March when its CEO both praised the Trump administration’s policy and insisted that solar and storage remained the fastest path to increasing the energy supply. Lincoln Electric is headquartered in a gleaming new building named after A

Anker recalls PowerCore 10000 power bank due to fire safety risk

Anker and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission have issued a product recall for a popular power bank due to a fire safety risk … Anker PowerCore 10000 recall The model concerned was sold for more than eight years. We have identified that certain Anker PowerCore 10000 power banks (Model: A1263) manufactured between January 1st, 2016, and October 30th, 2019, which were sold between June 1st, 2016, and December 31st, 2022, only in the United States may pose a fire safety risk due to a pot

Anker Recalls 1.1 Million Power Banks for Fires and Explosions: What to Do if You're Affected

Electronics company Anker has announced an official recall of Anker PowerCore 10000 power banks with the model number A1263, following 19 reports of the portable chargers catching fire and exploding. The Consumer Products Safety Commission reports that more than 1.1 million of the products sold in the US are affected by the recall. The company plans to replace the charging devices, but customers must submit photo evidence of ownership and also prove that they've disposed of the PowerCore device

DJI Portable Power Station Gets 55% Off as Part of Amazon’s Surprise Early Deals, Limited Time Only

Most of us don’t think much about electricity until it’s not there. Until the lights go out during a storm or you’re packing for a weekend trip off-grid and you realize hey! You need power! That’s why a reliable portable power station is always a good idea. It can go from a luxury to a necessity in a flash. And when you’re counting on one to keep your laptop, phone, fridge, or even medical equipment running, quality and performance really matter. So with that in mind, it might be time to invest

This 10,000mAh 22.5W Fast Charging Power Bank Is 88% Off, Now Almost Free on Amazon

In today’s world, having a reliable portable charger is essential. Whether you’re traveling, working remotely or simply out and about, a dead phone or tablet can quickly turn into a major inconvenience. The good news is that fast charging power banks have become the standard… and with the latest deals on Amazon, getting your hands on a high-quality model doesn’t have to break the bank. In fact, today there is a deal so phenomenal that Amazon might not be making any money off it: The 10000mAh 22

My iPhone 8 Refuses to Die: Now It's a Solar-Powered Vision OCR Server

How I transformed my old iPhone 8 into a solar-powered Vision OCR server using Apple's native framework and an EcoFlow River 2 Pro. Running 24/7 for months, processing thousands of images while completely off-grid. My iPhone 8 Refuses to Die: Now It’s a Solar-Powered Vision OCR Server# After running for over a year, my solar-powered iPhone 8 has processed 83,418 OCR requests and 48GB of images using nothing but Apple’s Vision framework and renewable energy. Most people toss their old iPhones i

World’s Slimmest 10000mAh Charger Drops to Record Low, Now Almost Free on Amazon

Nothing is more frustrating than bulky power banks that take up too much space in your bag and fail to charge your devices quickly. If you’ve ever struggled with this common annoyance, it’s time to meet a solution that’s both compact and powerful. While the INIU brand may not be familiar to everyone, it goes without saying that this product has captured the hearts of millions: With an astonishing more than 78,000 reviews on Amazon and more than 60,000 of which being five-star reviews, the INUI

This Anker Solix C300 Portable Power Station Drops to a New Record Low, Limited Stock Before Prime Day

If you love the great outdoors but also like to know you’ve got enough power on your phone for all of the modern conveniences, then you’ll probably want a good bit of extra power. While you could go for a power bank of some kind, if you’re really committed, then you’re going to want to go for a portable power station. See at Amazon The good news is that, while many of these are incredibly pricey, you can still get a lot of use out of the more affordable models, and better yet, they can get som

I set up portable solar panels in my backyard for a month - and the results impressed me

ZDNET's key takeaways The EcoFlow 125W bifacial solar panels cost $899 for a four-pack. They're portable panels that you can take with you or set up temporarily without construction, with easy setup, and lightweight construction Though portable, these bifacial solar panels feel very fragile, so they must be weighed down if conditions are windy; their low 125W input also limits their capacity. $899 at Amazon I see more hurricanes in a year than I'd like, so I ensure my house is prepared to wea

My favorite portable charger for travel has a handy feature missing from competitors

ZDNET's key takeaways The InfinaCore P3 Pro is available now for $129. It's a USB travel charger and 10,000 mAh portable power bank rolled into one, with a handy Qi2 wireless charger built into the unit. It commands a premium price View now at Infinacore Travel chargers and power banks have become a staple of my travel kit. They give me the ability to keep things topped up when out and about -- and during those unexpected delays -- while giving my ever-growing tech collection a full recharge

I saved $30 per month with these portable solar panels (and how they work)

ZDNET's key takeaways The EcoFlow 125W bifacial solar panels cost $899 for a four-pack. They're portable panels that you can take with you or set up temporarily without construction, with easy setup, and lightweight construction Though portable, these bifacial solar panels feel very fragile, so they must be weighed down if conditions are windy; their low 125W input also limits their capacity. $899 at Amazon I see more hurricanes in a year than I'd like, so I ensure my house is prepared to wea

This Anker Solix C1000 Portable Power Station Matches Its Black Friday Price as Amazon Clears Out Stock

It really pays to have a good portable power station these days. Whether you’re going camping for a long weekend, spending all day at the beach, or you just want a backup in case something happens to the power grid, having one of these devices around can be a huge help. They’re very expensive normally though, so you’re nearly always best off waiting for a really good deal. See at Amazon Well, we just so happen to have found a really good deal today, and on a really good brand. The Anker Solix

Apple Slashes 2024 M4 Mac Mini Price Below Black Friday, Feels Like a Surprise Clearout Sale on Amazon

The Mac Mini blew away the computing world when it debuted in 2005 — a Mac desktop computer with all of the processing power and cool features of its larger siblings, but at a fraction of the size. In a time when huge desktop towers were still common, the Mac Mini showed that bigger most definitely does not always mean better. See at Amazon Fast forward 20 years, and the Mac Mini is doing it all over again. The most recent redesign of the Mini dropped last year, and it’s somehow smaller and ev

Topics: 2024 m4 mac mini power

This $300 Motorola has no business being this good for the price (and it has a large battery)

ZDNET's key takeaways Motorola's Moto G Power is currently on sale for $300. This device boasts multi-day battery life, a 6.8-inch Full HD+ screen, and decent performance for a mid-range phone. However, its similarities to the base Moto G may not be enough to convince people to pay an extra $100. View now at Amazon View now at Motorola more buying choices Motorola's Moto G Power is the sibling to the 2025 Moto G, a solid mid-tier smartphone that I reviewed not too long ago. The variant is not

This 300W Solar Panel Power Station Is Almost Free, Amazon Is Clearing Stock at 40% Off

With its compact solar panel, this power station is ideal for making outdoor escapades easy. When it comes to portable power, few products are capable of combining number one ratings, strong features, and an unbeatable price tag (until now). Jackery Solar Generator 300 is currently the top-rated power station out there and Amazon recently reduced its price to an all-time record low: For just $298 after discounting, a whopping 40% off the listed price of $499, this is an offer not worth turning

Anker is recalling over 1 million power banks due to fire risk - 2 options if you're affected

Kerry Wan/ZDNET The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued a new recall for the Anker PowerCore 10000 power bank, model number A1263. According to the report, the lithium-ion battery inside can overheat, causing the device to become a fire and burn hazard to consumers. "Anker has received 19 reports of fires and explosions" caused by its faulty power bank. Among those incidents, there have been "two reports of minor burn injuries" (thankfully not requiring medical a

This is the most travel-friendly charger I've tested, with support for over 190 countries

ZDNET's key takeaways The InfinaCore P3 Pro is available now for $129. It's a USB travel charger and 10,000 mAh portable power bank rolled into one, with a handy Qi2 wireless charger built into the unit. It commands a premium price View now at Infinacore Travel chargers and power banks have become a staple of my travel kit. They give me the ability to keep things topped up when out and about -- and during those unexpected delays -- while giving my ever-growing tech collection a full recharge

Finally, a 2-in-1 charger that's worthy of being in my travel kit

ZDNET's key takeaways The InfinaCore P3 Pro is available now for $129. It's a USB travel charger and 10,000 mAh portable power bank rolled into one, with a handy Qi2 wireless charger built into the unit. It commands a premium price View now at Infinacore Travel chargers and power banks have become a staple of my travel kit. They give me the ability to keep things topped up when out and about -- and during those unexpected delays -- while giving my ever-growing tech collection a full recharge

How the first electric grid was built

The Linear No Threshold model says that there is no safe level of radiation exposure. There is overwhelming evidence it is false, yet it inspires the ALARA principle, which makes nuclear power unaffordable worldwide. Read the lead article from Issue 19 of Works in Progress. We’re hosting a Stripe Press pop-up coffee shop and bookstore on Saturday, June 28, in Washington, DC. RSVP here if you can make it. In 1883, Sir Coutts Lindsay, owner of the Grosvenor Art Gallery in Bond Street, decided th

This Smallest 10,000mAh Portable Charger Is Nearly Free as Amazon Clears Out Its Best-Sellers

If you’ve ever watched your phone battery dip into the danger zone right when you needed it most, you know the sinking feeling that comes with being powerless. Portable chargers are more than just handy now. You need them in your bag or with you in your car if you want to get yourself out of a no phone emergency. But not all power banks are created equal. See at Amazon Tons of them are bulky, charge too slowly, or just can’t hold up under repeated use. And some are outdated and unsafe. Fires,

Sam Altman Says "Significant Fraction" of Earth's Total Electricity Should Go to Running AI

During a recent public appearance, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman admitted that he wants a large chunk of the world's power grid to help him run artificial intelligence models. As Laptop Mag flagged, he dropped that bomb dropped during AMD's AI conference last week after Lisa Su, the CEO of the hosting firm who counts Altman as a client and friend, mentioned ChatGPT's recent outages. Though OpenAI hasn't revealed the exact causes of its massive June outage, there's a good chance it had to do with runni

This beastly 500W charger replaced every other charger I had - with six ports to boot

ZDNET's key takeaways The Ugreen Nexode 500W is available now on Amazon. It features six ports with a massive 500W of combined power output and is packed with safety features. This is no portable charger, as it weights nearly five pounds. $249.99 at Amazon I remember when USB chargers needed just one port on them. Then chargers with two -- and even three ports appeared. Then the industry shifted to USB-C, and it seemed like we not only needed more ports, but more power. I've been using a Ugr

Best Buy Clears Out Samsung 10,000mAh Power Bank at 50% Off, Bringing It Close to a Near-Free Price

Listen here, folks. This 10,000mAh Samsung power bank is down nearly 50% for a limited time. That brings the price to just $23 (down from $45). It’s equipped with two USB-C ports along with wireless charging panel. This means you can charge up three devices at once. Plug in your laptop and your phone while you’re smartwatch is recharging as well. And it’s is compact so it can store easily in a backpack or messenger bag. See at Best Buy 10,000mAh is the total energy this power bank holds. To pu

Summer Blackout To-Do List: 9 Things to Keep Everyone Cool and Safe

Climate Central reports that from 2014 to 2023, the US experienced 60% more power outages during the summer season than it did from 2000 to 2009. This can be due to the increased use of electricity for air conditioners, wildfires, severe weather and downed power lines. Being prepared for a summer blackout is especially important because, according to the US Energy Information Administration, the average blackout is over 5 hours. That means over 5 hours without air conditioning, which can lead t

The best laptop power banks for 2025

Engadget has been testing and reviewing consumer tech since 2004. Our stories may include affiliate links; if you buy something through a link, we may earn a commission. Read more about how we evaluate products . My favorite table for getting work done at my local coffee shop has no nearby outlet. To keep working after my computer hits 10 percent, I use a laptop power bank. Luckily, after a couple years testing batteries for Engadget, I have a good backstock to choose from. These high-capacity

Can wind power generators replace my home solar panels? My verdict after months of testing

ZDNET's key takeaways A Shine Turbine kit, which includes a turbine, stand, guy lines, and pegs, costs $399, while the Essentials Kit, which adds a few more bits such as a wind speed meter, costs $488 -- though both are on sale right now The kit includes everything you need to turn wind into electrical energy, and the turbine features a 12,000 mAh battery There are limitations, which include the weight of the kit and the limited power it generates, 40 Watts. View now at Shineturbine The Shine