Brian Fagioli

HighPoint has announced its RocketAIC 6542AAW, claiming to be the world’s first near half-petabyte NVMe storage drive that is smaller than a shoebox. Compact at 4.84 inches tall, 8.27 inches deep, and 9.25 inches long, this external RAID powerhouse packs eight Solidigm D5-P5336 NVMe SSDs for a massive 491.52TB of storage. Beyond its storage heft, the device boasts real-world transfer speeds reaching 28GB/s, making it ideal for edge applications that need high-density, rapid-access storage in a small footprint.

The chassis is not just compact; it comes with its own power supply and an advanced cooling system to keep the NVMe media isolated from the host hardware. This strategic design means more interior space for the server or workstation and improved overall reliability. By keeping waste heat away from the main system, the RocketAIC 6542AAW reduces power consumption and enhances efficiency.

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SurveyMonkey, a widely used platform for creating surveys and forms, has expanded its social sharing capabilities to include WhatsApp. This addition allows users to share their surveys and forms directly with WhatsApp contacts and groups, aiming to simplify the distribution process. WhatsApp joins SurveyMonkey’s existing social sharing options, which include LinkedIn, X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Microsoft Teams.

With over 2 billion active users globally, WhatsApp is recognized as one of the most popular messaging apps. SurveyMonkey customers in over 130 countries, speaking 56 different languages, can now leverage this integration to share surveys and forms through a platform that many already use daily. Early results have shown that the WhatsApp sharing feature has garnered twice as many clicks and shares compared to other social sharing options.

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Logitech has introduced a range of Sync smart office tools designed to improve workplace efficiency and provide enhanced analytics for IT teams. The new suite includes Auto Book and Auto Release, which automate room reservations and cancellations based on user activity. Additionally, Logitech View offers interactive digital office maps to assist with navigation in large office spaces.

Henry Levak, VP of Product at Logitech for Business, highlighted the AI capabilities of the tools, stating, “Rally Bars use AI in-camera sensors to automatically detect and respond to natural workplace behaviors with no human intervention needed.” This approach aims to simplify room management, allowing employees to focus on collaboration while IT teams gain more accurate insights into actual room utilization.

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Other World Computing (OWC) has launched the Thunderbolt 5 Hub, which promises to elevate device connectivity for Macs, PCs, and even tablets like the iPad Pro. This new hub delivers an impressive 80Gb/s of bi-directional data speed -- double that of Thunderbolt 4 and USB4 -- and supports up to 120Gb/s for users needing higher display bandwidth. With just a single cable, users can expand their device’s ports to include three Thunderbolt 5 ports and a USB-A port, making this hub a productivity game changer.

For tablet users, the OWC Thunderbolt 5 Hub is especially transformative, turning an iPad Pro or similar device into a full-fledged workstation capable of connecting to external drives, displays, and a variety of peripherals. This means users can push the limits of their tablets without the need for a laptop or desktop nearby.

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Apple has launched a beta feature called Share Item Location in iOS 18.2, allowing users to share the location of an AirTag or Find My network accessory with third parties. This update is designed to simplify the process of locating misplaced items, particularly when traveling. Users can generate a secure link in the Find My app on their iPhone, iPad, or Mac, which can then be shared. The recipient can access an interactive map that shows the item’s location and updates automatically. The shared link expires after seven days or when the item is recovered, maintaining privacy and security.

“Find My is an essential tool for users around the world to keep track of and find their belongings,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of Services. “The Find My network and AirTag have proven to be a powerful combination for users while traveling, providing invaluable location information when bags have been misplaced or mishandled. With Share Item Location, we’re excited to give users a new way to easily share this information directly with third parties like airlines, all while protecting their privacy.”

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Logitech is making it easier for consumers to access refurbished devices with the expansion of its Certified Refurbished program. Now, customers in North America and Europe can purchase a wide range of products, including mice, keyboards, tablet accessories, gaming gear from Logitech G, and Bluetooth speakers through Logitech’s eBay Refurbished brand store and its own websites.

The company is tapping into a growing trend as more consumers seek out high-quality refurbished products. The appeal of these devices lies in their cost-effectiveness and environmental benefits, offering users a way to own premium technology while contributing to waste reduction.

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The Debian project has announced its latest point release for Debian Linux 12, codenamed “bookworm,” marking the eighth update to this stable distribution. This 12.8 update primarily addresses security issues and fixes various critical bugs, enhancing the reliability and security of the system. Importantly, this release is not a new version but an update to existing packages within Debian 12. Users who routinely update via security.debian.org will notice only minimal changes, as most updates are rolled into this point release.

There is no need to replace existing installation media for bookworm; a simple upgrade through an up-to-date Debian mirror suffices to bring systems to the latest versions. The new installation images reflecting these updates will soon be available at Debian’s standard download sites.

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Back in the day, when personal computers were first making their way into homes, buying a desktop was often a massive investment. The price tags on those early machines were no joke, especially in the ’80s and ’90s. Dropping a couple of thousand dollars on a beige box humming with potential was considered normal. Fast forward to today, and times have certainly changed -- computers, including the powerful M-series Mac minis, have become more affordable, while flagship smartphones have skyrocketed in price.

I recently bought Apple’s new base-model M4 Mac mini, which set me back $500 with the education discount ($600 regularly). For those keeping tabs, that’s for a fully functional, highly efficient desktop computer. Not too long ago, such a price would have barely covered the cost of an average, bare-bones PC tower. This particular Mac mini runs circles around most mainstream computers from just a few years ago, delivering top-notch performance at a budget-friendly price.

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SHARGE has introduced the ICEMAG 2 MagSafe power bank (soon available here). It includes a new active cooling system (a fan) and an aluminum backplate to support effective heat management and maintain charging performance. It supports 15W Qi2 wireless charging, aimed at delivering faster speeds compared to traditional MagSafe batteries and improving on the previous ICEMAG model.

Visually, the ICEMAG 2 features a transparent design with RGB lighting for added aesthetic appeal. The power bank also includes a foldable kickstand, allowing for hands-free use and adjustable viewing angles.

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Belkin just expanded its Apple Vision Pro accessories line-up, adding a head strap and a travel bag to its offerings. These new accessories are designed to make the Apple Vision Pro experience even more seamless and versatile.

The head strap for Apple Vision Pro aims to provide users with enhanced comfort and stability. With an ergonomic, adjustable design, the strap features reinforced seams, a locking mechanism, and multiple stabilization points, ensuring the Vision Pro stays secure and comfortable on a wide range of head sizes. This makes extended use of Apple’s spatial computing device a lot more manageable.

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AOC has introduced the AGON PRO AG346UCD, a 34-inch curved monitor designed for gaming and content creation. Part of the AGON Pro Series, this model features a QD-OLED display with a 3440x1440 resolution, a 175Hz refresh rate, and a 0.03ms GtG response time.

The QD-OLED panel supports HDR400 True Black, offering enhanced color accuracy, deeper blacks, and vibrant highlights. NVIDIA G-SYNC compatibility is included to minimize screen tearing and stuttering during gameplay. The ergonomic design allows for tilt, swivel, and height adjustments, enhancing user comfort during long sessions.

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NVIDIA’s upcoming changes to its GeForce NOW service might come as a disappointment to many gamers, particularly with the introduction of a 100-hour monthly playtime cap for the Performance and Ultimate memberships. Starting in 2025, members will face this limit, which seems like a step backward for a service that has marketed itself as offering seamless and unrestricted cloud gaming. For those accustomed to extensive play sessions, this change could be a serious drawback, raising questions about the true value of the paid tiers.

While NVIDIA claims that 94 percent of current users won’t be impacted by the cap, it’s a shift that feels restrictive and may leave the more dedicated gamers feeling constrained. For those who push beyond the 100-hour mark, the company offers the option to buy 15 extra hours at $2.99 for the Performance tier and $5.99 for the Ultimate tier -- essentially putting a meter on premium gaming.

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PNY has expanded its flash memory lineup with the release of the PRO Elite Prime and Performance Prime product lines. The PRO Elite Prime microSD flash cards and Performance Prime microSD card reader are designed for users needing high-capacity storage and fast transfer speeds.

The PRO Elite Prime microSD cards offer capacities from 64GB up to 1.5TB, featuring read speeds of up to 200MB/s and write speeds up to 150MB/s. Classified as Class 10 U3 V30, these cards support 4K Ultra HD video recording and are optimized with an A2 rating for app performance. The cards are suitable for a variety of devices, including cameras, drones, and mobile devices.

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Plugable has launched its new USB-C multiport hub, the USBC-9IN1E, designed for professionals and hybrid workers seeking expanded connectivity and efficient power management. This 9-in-1 hub features 140W power delivery pass-through (125W to the host), making it suitable for high-performance laptops, including the latest Apple MacBooks.

The USBC-9IN1E supports PD 3.1 EPR for up to 140W (28V 5A) power delivery, allowing devices to stay powered during use. The hub includes a 10Gbps USB-C data port, HDMI 2.0 with 4K 60Hz support, SD and MicroSD UHS-II card slots, two 10Gbps USB ports (one with BC 1.2 charging), a USB 2.0 port, and Gigabit Ethernet.

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Today marks the official launch of the PlayStation 5 Pro, Sony’s most powerful console to date. Previously announced and now available for purchase here, the PS5 Pro is designed to appeal to dedicated gamers and developers looking for enhanced performance and advanced gaming technology. And yes, it will make the perfect Christmas gift for the gamer in your life.

The PS5 Pro features a huge upgrade in its GPU, with 67 percent more Compute Units compared to the original PS5 and 28 percent faster memory, resulting in up to 45 percent faster rendering. This enables smoother gameplay and improved responsiveness. The console also boasts advanced ray tracing capabilities, allowing for more realistic light reflections and refractions, performing at double or triple the speeds of the current PS5 model.

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