Registration for the 2024 NASA International Space Apps Challenge is now open. It’s your chance to build space-related visualizations, apps, and other projects for the “largest annual global hackathon.” The challenge, whose first event was back in 2012, invites people from wide-ranging backgrounds and with diverse skills to use NASA’s free and open data to tackle real-world problems on Earth and in space. These problems will be submitted by NASA’s Subject Matter Experts, and the challenges range from creating artistic visualizations to conceptualizing and developing apps and software, covering topics including climate change, biodiversity, space exploration, and data visualization....

Plex remote streaming now defaults to a 12 Mbps bitrate and 1080p resolution, up from the previous 4Mbps 720p default. This will improve remote streaming quality for remote Plex users who don’t take the time to adjust their settings, and it will prevent unnecessary transcoding in some circumstances. Still, this update highlights one of Plex’s biggest problems—default remote streaming quality is not a server-side setting, so server owners are left at the behest of their family and friends....

Black Friday isn’t what it used to be when it first started in 1951. Instead of running around town on Friday for the best discounts or waiting in lines on Thursday night, it’s now an all-month event. Early Black Friday sales kicked off weeks ago, and you can already find big deals on gadgets, TVs, headphones, accessories, and much more. It’s easy to get overwhelmed, but this week, we found Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 (with USB-C) at their lowest price yet, Arcade1Up’s Mortal Kombat 2 countertop arcade machine for $80 off, and TCL’s 65-inch QLED TV for an all-time low....

Summary Your iPhone finally got support for RCS messaging as of iOS 18, finally unbreaking green bubble texts for a lot of people. They’re still green bubbles, but they now work like something made in the last decade. Now, it’s also getting end-to-end encryption. The GSMA (GSM Association) has announced a significant upgrade to Rich Communication Services (RCS) messaging: the integration of end-to-end encryption in the latest version, Universal Profile 3....

Samsung is rolling out its One UI 6.1.1 update to more devices, bringing the company’s Galaxy AI tools to more phones and tablets. The One UI 6.1.1 update was initially introduced on the Galaxy Z Fold6 and Z Flip6 but will now be available on the Galaxy S24 series starting today. Other devices, including the S23 series, S23 FE, Z Fold5, Z Flip5, and Tab S9 series, will get the update starting September 12....

Quick Links With phones now capable of console-level graphics, it’s a great time to be a mobile gamer. Android games, in particular, are pushing the envelope regarding what’s possible in this area. These eight Android games offer great gameplay but also push the boundaries of your device. 1Genshin Impact I’m not usually a fan ofGacha games, but this isn’t a bad choice if you want something that combines the charm of Zelda’sBreath of the Wildwith Gacha....

Read update The glass back of the Google Pixel 7 Pro looks incredible, but it can also easily slip out of your hands if you’re not careful. A case will ensure you have a grip on your smartphone while offering features such as card storage. UPDATE: 15-07-2025 We’ve reviewed our recommendations and have updated our best budget and best thin case options. DG.MING Leather Flip Case What to Look For in a Google Pixel 7 Pro Case When buying a case for your Pixel 7 Pro, the first thing to consider is how well it’ll protect the device....

Google Pixel 9 Pro XL cases range from the ultra-slim to the ultimate defender. Explore the options of eye-catching designs and practical features, but ensure your choice delivers the protection your Pixel phone deserves. TORRO Leather Case for Pixel 9 Pro XL Ostand 360° Spin The TORRAS Ostand 360° Spin offers military-grade protection in an ultra-slim package. Its versatile rotating ring serves as a kickstand, tripod, or grip, while strong magnets ensure secure car mounting for your Google Pixel 9 Pro XL....

Read update Your iPhone 14 Plus is going to take a tumble—it’s only a matter of time. For the best protection, you need a case. Luckily, the cases included here won’t just protect your phone but will look good doing it. UPDATE: 10-08-2025 We’ve reviewed our recommendations and are confident these are still the best iPhone 14 Plus cases you can buy. Apple iPhone 14 Plus Leather Case with MagSafe What to Look for in an iPhone 14 Plus Case Choosing the right iPhone 14 Plus phone case isn’t easy....

Quick Links DirectStoragefor Windows promises to bring the rapid loading speeds of the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 to PC gaming, and the first title to actually implement this technology arrives July 02, 2025. Can your PC handle it? Forspoken Is the First DirectStorage Game on PC Forspokenis a game launching on PlayStation 5 and Windows PC. It’s an action roleplaying game with a focus on traversal, covering large distances with speed and fluidity....

Quick Links I’m writing these words on a 7.6-inch inch tablet. On one hand, I’m surprised. I shouldn’t be. The first tablet I ever loved was this size, and it felt just right from the very beginning. It All Started With the Nook Color My first 7-Inch tablet didn’t come from one of the big tech companies. It came from a book store: Barnes and Noble. The Nook Color was sold as an eReader that was capable of reading digital magazines and comics thanks to its color display....

Game monetization is a dicey subject. Developers and publishers need to make money and recoup their investments, but how they go about it varies wildly. Some methods are fair and widely accepted. Others fall into a much grayer, more exploitative area. The practices outlined below represent some of the most maddening, manipulative, and controversial forms of monetization in gaming—along with the titles that introduced and popularized them. 1Loot Boxes By now, most gamers are all too familiar with loot boxes—the poster child ofpredatory microtransactions....

Quick Links macOS 15 Sequoia comes with a handful of new features that can take productivity to the next level. These can help you get work done and remain distraction-free while personalizing the way you use your Mac. Here’s a look at my top macOS 15 productivity features. Window Tiling Tiling your windows just got a whole lot easier with macOS 15 Sequoia. You now have a few options, including:...