Reviews
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Pebble Round 2: Affordable Smartwatch Reboot
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Pebble is launching the Pebble Round 2, a reboot of its thinnest smartwatch with a rounded screen, priced at $199. The updated design features a larger, 1.3" color e-paper display with a backlight, offering improved readability and a more upscale look. While the watch provides basic health and activity tracking, it lacks advanced features like a heart rate monitor, allowing for an extended battery life of 10 to 14 days. The device runs on the open-source Pebble OS, supports speech input on Android, and offers customizable bands in different colors, maintaining Pebble's focus on affordability and simplicity. This matters because it highlights Pebble's strategy to offer stylish yet affordable smartwatches with essential features, appealing to consumers who prioritize battery life and simplicity over advanced functionalities.
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Fender’s ELIE Speakers: Multi-Source Audio Innovation
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Fender Audio, a new consumer electronics brand from the renowned guitar maker, is introducing the ELIE series of portable Bluetooth speakers at CES 2026. These speakers offer a unique feature allowing audio playback from up to four sources simultaneously, including Bluetooth devices and instruments connected via an XLR/1/4-inch combo jack. The ELIE 6 and ELIE 12 models can be paired with additional units to create a stereo setup or synced with up to 100 speakers for larger spaces. The ELIE 6, priced at $299.99, offers 18 hours of battery life and 60W output, while the larger ELIE 12, at $399.99, provides 120W output with a 15-hour battery life. This matters because it highlights Fender's innovative approach to audio technology, offering versatility and high-quality sound for diverse listening environments.
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Fender’s Mix Headphones: Long-Lasting Battery & Modular Design
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Fender Audio has introduced its first wireless headphones, the Mix, featuring a long-lasting and replaceable battery. These headphones stand out with a modular design allowing for color customization and an impressive battery life of up to 52 hours with active noise cancellation (ANC) and 100 hours without. Priced at $299.99, they are more affordable than Sony's WH-1000XM6, offering superior battery performance, though the ANC quality remains untested. The Mix headphones support various connectivity options, including Bluetooth 5.3, a USB-C cable, and a 3.5mm audio cable, with quick charging capabilities providing up to eight hours of playback after just 15 minutes. This matters because it highlights a competitive alternative in the wireless headphone market, emphasizing longevity, customization, and affordability.
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Samsung Freestyle Plus Boosts Brightness
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Samsung's Freestyle Plus projector boasts a significant upgrade in brightness with 430 ISO Lumens, nearly doubling the output of its predecessor, though previous models were listed at 550 lumens, highlighting inconsistencies in manufacturer specs. This change aligns with industry standards following legal actions by Epson, ensuring more reliable brightness measurements across brands. The projector retains its 1080p resolution, rotating barrel design, integrated speaker, and Wi-Fi streaming capabilities, along with modern features like keystone correction and image calibration. Despite lacking a built-in battery, it can be used with power banks for enhanced portability, but pricing and detailed specs remain undisclosed ahead of CES. This matters because consistent brightness specifications help consumers make informed decisions about projector performance in varying lighting conditions.
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GLM 4.7: A Solid Choice for Coding Projects
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GLM 4.7 has shown strong performance in coding tasks such as refactoring, debugging, and code review, particularly excelling in Python backend work by maintaining context and catching logic issues. It compares favorably to Deepseek v3 by slightly better maintaining context in long conversations, though it struggles with complex algorithmic tasks. In comparison to Qwen2.5-coder, GLM is more consistent in maintaining conversation flow, while being less verbose than Kimi. Although it struggles with complex React state management and architectural decisions, its open-source nature and cost-effectiveness make it a viable option for developers focused on implementation tasks. This matters because choosing the right coding model can significantly impact productivity and cost efficiency in software development workflows.
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Reddit Users Compare ChatGPT 5.2 vs 5.1
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Reddit users have noted distinct differences between ChatGPT versions 5.2 and 5.1, particularly in terms of performance and adherence to instructions. Version 5.2 is perceived as lazier and more prone to shortcuts, often providing "close enough" answers and skipping edge cases unless explicitly directed otherwise. In contrast, version 5.1 is described as more deliberate, slower but more careful, and better at following complex instructions without ignoring details. While 5.2 prioritizes speed and fluency, 5.1 is more tolerant of friction and handles detailed corrections more effectively. These differences are especially noticeable to power users and professionals in fields like engineering, finance, and law, who rely on precision and strict adherence to instructions. Understanding these nuances is crucial for users who require accuracy and detailed analysis in their interactions with AI.
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OneXSugar Wallet: First Folding Screen Gaming Handheld
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The OneXSugar Wallet is a new gaming handheld device featuring a folding 8.01-inch OLED screen with a 4:3 aspect ratio, marking a shift of folding display technology from smartphones and laptops to gaming devices. Powered by an unspecified Qualcomm gaming platform flagship processor, its performance capabilities remain uncertain. The device includes standard gaming controls such as asymmetrical thumbsticks, action buttons, a D-pad, shoulder buttons, triggers, and front-facing speakers. The pricing of the OneXSugar Wallet is yet to be disclosed, raising questions about its affordability compared to other high-end folding screen devices. This matters because it represents a potential evolution in gaming hardware, integrating advanced display technology into portable gaming.
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stable-retro 0.9.8: Dreamcast, Nintendo 64/DS Support
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The release of stable-retro v0.9.8 on PyPI introduces support for Sega Dreamcast, Nintendo 64, and Nintendo DS consoles, expanding its compatibility with retro gaming systems. This update allows users to enjoy a wider range of classic games across various platforms, including Linux, Windows, and Apple, although some systems have partial support. With over 1000 games already integrated, players can experience popular titles across multiple genres such as platformers, fighters, sports, puzzles, shoot 'em ups, and beat 'em ups, with RPGs expected to be added soon. This matters because it enhances the accessibility and preservation of retro gaming experiences for enthusiasts and new players alike.
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Commodore 64 Ultimate Review: Astonishing Remake
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The Commodore 64 Ultimate (C64U) is a modern remake of the classic C64, featuring a re-creation of the original menu and the ability to use BASIC programming commands. It includes a comprehensive 273-page user guide that combines historical context with instructions, making it accessible for both nostalgic users and newcomers. The C64U offers modern enhancements such as a multifunction power button for easy access to settings, video output options, and advanced features like a virtualized RAM Expansion Unit and a "Turbo Boost" mode. While it maintains the charm of the original, it also leverages modern technology with an AMD Xilinx Artix-7 FPGA chip and 128-MB DDR2 RAM, offering significantly improved performance over the 1982 version. This matters because it bridges the gap between retro computing nostalgia and modern technological capabilities, appealing to both enthusiasts and new users.
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Top Digital Notebooks for 2026: reMarkable, Kobo, Kindle
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Digital notebooks offer a modern twist on traditional note-taking, blending the tactile experience of writing with the convenience of digital storage. The Neo Smartpen M1+ stands out for its lightweight design and ease of use, while the Moleskine Smart Writing Set combines classic aesthetics with smart functionality. Devices like the Kindle Scribe and Boox Note Air3 C provide a hybrid experience of e-reading and note-taking, though they come with a higher price tag due to advanced features. Despite their cost, digital notebooks are valued for their portability, ability to transcribe notes, and longer battery life compared to tablets. Understanding the benefits and limitations of these devices can help users decide if the investment aligns with their needs. This matters because it highlights the evolving landscape of digital note-taking and the balance between cost and functionality.