2026-08-19

The 8 best smart thermostats of 2026, ranked by Consumer Reports

Smart thermostats can learn a routine or leave adjustments to the owner. Consumer Reports tested eight models to find the most automated options [...]

2026-08-19

5 cheap items that will probably end up costing you more

Some cheap products are not bargains at all. These five everyday items can break, disappoint, or need replacing, costing you more over time [...]

2026-08-19

Did AI write this newsletter?

As AI detectors flag human prose, the real question may be less about who wrote it and more about whether the writing is any good [...]

2026-08-19

China’s AI alliance keeps growing, just as Washington tells countries to choose

China’s World AI Cooperation Organisation has added nine members in the month since it was founded, taking it from 29 signatories to 38, according to the South China Morning Post. It is growing at precisely the moment Washington is drafting a letter telling 35 countries they cannot belong to both camps. WAICO was signed into existence […]<br /> This story continues at The Next Web [...]

2026-08-19

Thermal Master DV2 review: This thermal camera could be the perfect accessory for those observing nature at range, but only if the software improves

The Thermal Master DV2 is a self-contained thermal camera that connects to an Android phone or PC using USB. [...]

2026-08-19

Hot or Not Built the Internet We’re Still Swiping Through

The early website Hot or Not taught its users to rank people at scale. Twenty-six years later, dating apps are trying to escape the culture the site helped create. [...]

2026-08-19

'Glad I switched to Kobo': Amazon angers Kindle owners by rolling out tougher DRM and reportedly closing a popular Libby loans loophole

Kindles just got a little more restrictive, both in terms of what you can do with the books you buy and how long you can keep those you borrow. [...]

2026-08-19

Technics' classic SL-1200 turntable is getting a 55th anniversary edition — and the big upgrade is 'lots of gold'

The Technics SL-1200 is getting a 55th anniversary edition, with lots of gold being the main change over the base model. [...]

2026-08-19

The best leaf blowers ranked by type, according to Consumer Reports

Leaf blowers vary widely in power, noise level and price by type. Consumer Reports tested 19 models across categories to find the top performers [...]