This was another busy week in tech news, with a popular free Kindle feature going behind a paywall, Starlink ditching its cheapest internet plan, our first look at Google’s Android operating system for desktops and laptops, and much more. Here are the biggest stories you might have missed.
The Big News
A free Kindle feature is about to be put behind a paywall
Kindle eReaders are obviously great for reading books, but that’s not all they can do. One of the coolest lesser-known features is the ability to send web articles to your Kindle. Instapaper is a great way to do this, but starting next month, the app’s “Send to Kindle” feature will no longer be free. Continue reading…
Starlink just got rid of its cheapest internet plan
Starlink, SpaceX’s satellite internet service, has changed a lot since it launched, including introducing the Starlink Mini alongside more affordable options. However, it looks like one of its best plans, the $10 Roam 10GB, is being discontinued. Continue reading…
The Calibre eBook manager just got a big update
The popular eBook reader and manager app Calibre just got a big update. Calibre 9.0 is now rolling out with a new bookshelf view, more editing options, and much more. Continue reading…
MAME can now emulate Apple’s first graphical computer
The popular multi-system emulator MAME just received its first update for 2026. MAME 0.285 has arrived with better support for Apple’s first graphical interface computer, the Lisa, along with more arcade emulation options and other changes. Continue reading…
These gaming Linux distros are teaming up to fix bigger problems
The developers behind several Linux distributions and software that target gamers as their primary users have announced the creation of a coordinated development mission they’re calling the Open Gaming Collective. The collective’s aim is to unify efforts to avoid duplicating each other’s work and to generally strengthen the Linux gaming ecosystem. Continue reading…
Spotify doubles down on messaging with group chats
Spotify is probably far from the first app you think about when it comes to messaging, but it was added last year as an easier way to share content with friends. Now, the service is expanding on that with the ability to create group chats. Continue reading…
Google Fiber is about to get a huge speed boost, for free
While most people are happy with 1 Gig internet speeds, if they even get that, Google isn’t, and wants to give faster speeds to all of its Fiber customers. Today, the company announced that GFiber’s cheapest Core 1 Gig plan will triple to 3 Gig in select cities, and it’ll still be only $70 per month. Whoa! Continue reading…
You can make a self-hosted AI server with LM Studio 0.4.0
LM Studio is one of the best tools for running generative AI models locally on your computer, giving you something comparable to ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, or Google Gemini without using cloud services. Now, LM Studio 0.4.0 has arrived with an overhauled interface and new options for self-hosted servers. Continue reading…
Home Depot’s big Ryobi and Milwaukee tool deals end in 3 days
Did you take advantage of the huge tool deals at Home Depot over the holidays? If not, you’re running out of time to score a free battery through buy-one-get-one deals, free Makita battery packs, or nearly 40% discounts. That’s because all the best Home Depot power tool deals end on February 1st, and here’s what you need to know. Continue reading…
The live Linux distro for editing disks just got a big update
GParted Live, a bootable Linux distribution dedicated to editing disk partitions, has been updated to version 1.8.0. It follows the release of version 1.8.0 of the GParted application this week, and the distro release includes updates to the package base and some important bug fixes. Continue reading…
PyCharm IDE for Python development just got a big update
JetBrains just dropped a major update for its Python IDE, PyCharm 2025.3.2. PyCharm and Google Colab are normally treated like separate tools, with the former PyCharm for that serious, heavy-duty local IDE power, and Colab for easy, GPU-accelerated cloud access. This update merges them. Continue reading…
More bloatware is coming to Google Chrome
Every web browser is being loaded up with generative AI features, whether you like it or not. Now, Chrome is getting more Gemini integrations, the Nano Banana AI image generator, and an ‘Auto Browse’ mode comparable to ChatGPT Atlas. Continue reading…
Transmission 4.1 makes my favorite BitTorrent client even better
Transmission is my favorite BitTorrent client, with excellent ports to Windows, Linux, macOS, and headless servers. Now, Transmission 4.1 has arrived after over a year of development, and it has some great changes. Continue reading…
This is Aluminum OS—Android’s DeX-like desktop mode
Android has long included bits and pieces of a make-shift desktop mode, but only Samsung has gone above and beyond with their own DeX experience. Last year, Google officially teased its brand new desktop mode for Android, and now we’re getting our first look at it in action. Continue reading…
Excel’s powerful Agent Mode is finally coming to Windows and Mac
Microsoft is bringing its most advanced AI collaborator to the Excel desktop app. Previously only accessible in Excel for the web, Agent Mode is now generally available on Windows and Mac, allowing Copilot to build complex workbooks, fix formulas, and even let you choose between models. Continue reading…
You could get an Amazon refund, thanks to class action settlement
Amazon has agreed to a massive class action settlement that could put money back into the pockets of millions of U.S. shoppers who were incorrectly denied refunds on returns. This is big news for anyone who has ever had to chase down a credit after sending an item back to the retailer. Continue reading…
Valve’s Proton compatibility layer brings 19 more games to Linux
The Proton compatibility layer has helped bring many PC games to Linux, and it’s updated regularly with new features and improvements. Now, Proton 10.0-4 has arrived with 19 new compatible games and a pile of bug fixes. Continue reading…
Google Messages is about to get better on your watch
Google is showing no signs of slowing down the updates to Google Messages. And while some updates are better than others, a few highly requested features could finally be coming that’ll improve the experience on your smartwatch. Continue reading…
Heroic Games Launcher for Linux just got a big update
After five months of work, the developers of Heroic Games Launcher have debuted version 2.19 of its open source game manager targeting Linux users. It includes experimental support for a new gaming platform to go alongside its existing support for Epic Games Store, GoG Store, and Amazon Luna. Continue reading…
Here’s how much Samsung’s Galaxy Z TriFold will cost (and when it will be available)
It’s hard to believe that Samsung has been refining its foldable phones for seven years already. Last month, the company officially confirmed its first double-hinged foldable, and now it has confirmed the price and availability as well. Everyone knew it would be expensive—now we know just how expensive. Continue reading…
Excel’s Power Query is finally coming to the web app
Microsoft is finally checking off one of the biggest items on the Excel power user wishlist. The full Power Query experience is officially rolling out to the web app, which means you can import, transform, and automate your data workflows without ever opening the desktop app. Continue reading…
Firefox is testing a split-screen mode and tab notes
Mozilla is starting to test a split view mode for Firefox, allowing you to have two pages open at the same time without two browser windows. The browser is also getting editable notes for your tabs. Continue reading…
This could be our first look at Android 17’s new glassy design
After more than a decade of flat, solid blocks of color, Android may be on the verge of yet another major design shift. According to a growing number of reports and leaks, a translucent, blurry look is coming with Android 17—and we have our first look at it. Continue reading…
Raspberry Pi OS alternative DietPi just got a big update
DietPi is a popular Linux distribution for Raspberry Pi computers and other single-board computers. There’s a new major release out this week, though it comes with some bad news for systems that can’t be updated to Debian 12 or later versions. Continue reading…
Milwaukee’s new 4-battery dock makes charging fast and easy
If you have a wide array of Milwaukee tools, you understand the struggle of constantly keeping all your battery packs charged up during a project. And if you use a combination of M12 and M18 tools, things are even worse. Thankfully, Milwaukee just announced a 4-bay simultaneous fast charger you’ll love. Continue reading…
The new Apple AirTag doesn’t fix my biggest complaint
Following months of rumors and speculation, Apple has revealed the second-generation AirTag trackers. There are some helpful improvements in the new model, but you probably don’t need to rush with replacing your existing trackers. Continue reading…
The Steam Deck is finally getting official mod support from Nexus Mods
Nexus Mods has confirmed that its popular mod manager, Vortex, is officially coming to SteamOS in 2026. This brings streamlined mod support directly to the Steam Deck and Steam Machine hardware. This is massive news for the modding community and will be big for anyone who owns a Deck. Continue reading…
Forget gas engines, this drop-in electric replacement is all you need
Do you have any old, outdated gas-powered tools you’d like to give a new lease on life? If so, Makita has a neat new product you’ll absolutely love. Makita is launching a 40V max XGT electric motor unit, which is a 25 to 50cc gas engine replacement electric motor you can drop in, bolt on, and go. Continue reading…
YouTube is breaking ad blockers again
If you have been seeing the infuriating “This content isn’t available, try again later” error on YouTube recently, you are certainly not alone. It looks like this widespread issue may be the platform’s newest, more aggressive attempt to break ad-blocking extensions. Continue reading…
