GoKawiil
Tech News
Apple has released its 8th generation iPad Mini, two years after the previous model, adding an OLED display, a slightly larger 8.5-inch screen, an A20 processor, Wi-Fi 7, a landscape Center Stage camera, and an optional nano-texture glass for glare reduction. The base 128GB model now starts at $799, up from the prior model's price, with the nano-texture option costing an extra $100 on 256GB and 512GB configurations.
Modern routers often combine 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and sometimes 6GHz frequencies under a single network name using a feature called band steering, letting devices automatically choose the best band. In practice, some devices stay locked onto the slower, more congested 2.4GHz band even when a stronger 5GHz signal is available, reducing connection speed and quality.
Mesh Wi-Fi systems normally link their routers wirelessly through a 'backhaul' connection that shuttles data between nodes, which can lose speed over distance and, on cheaper dual-band models, compete with devices for the same wireless bands. Replacing that wireless link with an Ethernet cable, ideally Cat 6, removes both problems, delivering around 1 Gbps or more between nodes regardless of band limitations.
A tech guide outlines built-in macOS features Mac users can enable to boost privacy, including requiring a passcode or Touch ID to wake the laptop, managing app access to Location Services, camera and microphone, and controlling Wi-Fi auto-join behavior. It also highlights the built-in Firewall, which is off by default and can be switched on via System Settings to block unwanted network connections.
An article comparing smart home lighting options highlights a key drawback of smart bulbs: when someone flips the physical wall switch out of habit, the bulb loses power and Wi-Fi connectivity, becoming unresponsive to apps or voice commands until the switch is flipped back. Smart switches avoid this by staying wired into the home's electrical system, letting anyone operate lights normally without an app, while still enabling smart control.
A new guide highlights frequent errors homeowners make when setting up Wi-Fi networks, including poor router placement in corners, proximity to interference-causing devices like microwaves and cordless phones, and mismatched router hardware for a household's actual internet plan. It also notes that users aren't limited to placing equipment where their ISP's modem enters the home, since an Ethernet cable can extend connectivity to a better-positioned access point.
Many smart TVs and streaming devices include Ethernet jacks limited to 100Mbps even though gigabit Ethernet has existed for decades, while the same TVs often support Wi-Fi 5 or Wi-Fi 6, which can exceed gigabit speeds under good conditions. Despite the raw speed gap, Ethernet still offers more stable, interference-free connections over distances up to 100 meters using Cat 6 cable.
Tom's Hardware Premium published its weekly roundup covering TP-Link's efforts to satisfy US regulators amid scrutiny over its China ties, including a letter of intent with Key Tronic to assemble Wi-Fi 8 routers in Mississippi and nearly $1 billion pledged toward US R&D and manufacturing. The roundup also details testing of Nvidia's new RTX Spark-based Microsoft Surface Laptop Ultra for gaming performance, plus an examination of whether costly audiophile-grade headsets are worth it for gamers.
Google Home Speaker owners reported their devices consuming unusually large amounts of Wi-Fi data, with one user citing three terabytes over two weeks and a WIRED writer finding her own speaker had used 487 GB in ten days. Google told WIRED a server misconfiguration caused some speakers to repeatedly re-download a software update, and said the issue has now been fixed.
Amazon is offering a 30% discount on the TP-Link Deco 7 BE5000 three-pack mesh router system, cutting roughly $91 off its price. The system uses Wi-Fi 7 technology and is rated to cover up to 6,600 square feet of home space.
TP-Link told The Verge its plan to invest nearly $1 billion in US-based router production, including a letter of intent with contract manufacturer Key Tronic to assemble Wi-Fi 8 routers in Corinth, Mississippi, depends on the FCC granting a conditional approval waiver tied to an ongoing review of the company. TP-Link corporate affairs officer Steve Kovsky said production could start as early as next year and may include full manufacturing steps like surface-mount technology and plastic injection molding, not just assembly.
WIRED's review of the Roku Pro Series OLED TV covers its setup process, port layout, and software experience. The set includes four HDMI ports (one eARC, two 120Hz gaming ports), plus coaxial, optical audio, and Ethernet inputs, but uses Wi-Fi 5 rather than a newer standard. The reviewer praises Roku's OS for its simple, customizable interface and screensaver options, while noting ads appear across much of the home screen and some streaming apps still have limitations.