Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 Review

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 Review

Lenovo's ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 laptop has seemingly lost its way as performance and price no longer match despite having some decent features.

Save big on the GEEKOM A7 Mini PC with a powerful AMD Ryzen 7000 series processor!

Kosta Andreadis | Deals | Apr 24, 2024 2:16 AM CDT

GEEKOM has another incredible deal for TweakTown readers, this time for its GEEKOM A7 Mini PC Ryzen 7000. Powered by the AMD Ryzen R9-7940HS processor, it features RDNA 3 AMD Radeon 780M Graphics to deliver blistering fast 120+ FPS frame rates for games like League of Legends, Counter-Strike, and DOTA 2.

Save big on the GEEKOM A7 Mini PC with a powerful AMD Ryzen 7000 series processor!

It also has 32GB of dual-channel DDR5 5600 MHz memory, 2TB of PCIe Gen4 SSD storage, Bluetooth 5.2, and Wi-Fi 6E wireless technologies. All this is in a slim, compact form factor measuring 112.4 x 112.4 x 37 mm, or 0.47L, to deliver exceptional speed and performance - small enough to carry around in your pocket!

The GEEKOM A7 Mini PC Ryzen 7000 normally retails for $849, but right now, it's just $649! Enter the coupon code tweaktownA7off (also available for UK customers) at checkout to save a massive $200 on this exceptional Mini PC.

Continue reading: Save big on the GEEKOM A7 Mini PC with a powerful AMD Ryzen 7000 series processor! (full post)

BioMatrix introduces PoY, the world's first UBI token with 60 years Issuance Commitment

Sponsored Content | Cryptocurrency & Mining | Apr 23, 2024 1:55 PM CDT

Entering the digital future, I have had the chance to explore BioMatrix's cutting-edge blockchain platform. As a technology enthusiast, the idea of the Proof of You (PoY) token caught my attention at first, especially with its pledge to "distribute wealth in a fair and equitable manner."

BioMatrix introduces PoY, the world's first UBI token with 60 years Issuance Commitment

The selling point of the PoY token is that it is not just a digital asset, but it is an integral part of the company's Universal Basic Income (UBI) distribution strategy, which is designed to connect the user's biological identity to blockchain technology - an important development that could help bridge financial divides around the world.

At its recent launch in Dubai, the BioMatrix platform showcased its potential to redefine the UBI landscape. Like many other secure platforms, BioMatrix is built with user empowerment in mind, and leverages advanced AI and blockchain technology to facilitate its ecosystem growth and expansion. However, the key difference that sets BioMatrix apart from other UBI platforms is using newer cryptography solutions like Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKP) to protect user privacy and security.

Continue reading: BioMatrix introduces PoY, the world's first UBI token with 60 years Issuance Commitment (full post)

Apple has made a new visionOS 1.2 Apple Vision Pro beta available to developers

If you're an Apple Vision Pro owner you can expect to be able to download the visionOS 1.2 software update in the near future, with Apple currently testing the third beta release with developers. Those who are registered developers can now download and install the software on their Apple Vision Pro via the usual Settings and app, although they will of course need to be signed into the relevant Apple ID account in order to be given the option to do so.

Apple has made a new visionOS 1.2 Apple Vision Pro beta available to developers

This release is expected to be made available to the public within weeks and comes just a week after the arrival of the second beta. It isn't yet clear just how many more betas we can expect to be released, but it normally doesn't reach too high of a number.

The Apple Vision Pro's visionOS 1.2 software update isn't expected to bring with it too many changes, and there are no big new features anticipated either. However, there are some tweaks to the Personas, EyeSight, and other features built into this current beta and it's possible that more tweaks could be made before the update rolls out to the public.

Continue reading: Apple has made a new visionOS 1.2 Apple Vision Pro beta available to developers (full post)

Apple's latest iOS 17.5 beta is now available for download

Oliver Haslam | Mobile Devices, Tablets & Phones | Apr 24, 2024 5:00 AM CDT

Apple regularly releases new software updates to the public and as part of that, it also releases earlier beta updates to developers as well. The current wave of betas is for iOS 17.5 and the company has now made the third beta version of that update available for registered developers to download.

Apple's latest iOS 17.5 beta is now available for download

Those who are registered developers can sign in using their Apple ID and then choose to download the latest beta via the usual Software Update mechanism within the Settings app. However, we would always suggest that only developers who have a spare device should do that - as good as Apple's betas currently are, they can still prove problematic and installing the releases on a mission-critical device can still cause unexpected issues further down the line.

The lack of a need to install this beta on most devices is driven home by the fact that there are no huge new features in this beta, especially if you don't live in the European Union. The most notable change in this release is the option for app developers to offer their apps for download directly from their own websites, not just the App Store or authorized third-party app marketplaces.

Continue reading: Apple's latest iOS 17.5 beta is now available for download (full post)

New Razer Viper V3 Pro is an esports gaming mouse with a 35K sensor that weighs just 54 grams

Kosta Andreadis | Peripherals | Apr 24, 2024 4:31 AM CDT

Razer has announced a new gaming mouse for esports and competitive gamers, the Razer Viper V3 Pro. Created in collaboration with esports pros, including recent Valorant champions, it's an ultra-lightweight wireless gaming mouse with some serious hardware under the hood.

New Razer Viper V3 Pro is an esports gaming mouse with a 35K sensor that weighs just 54 grams

Powered by the Razer Focus Pro 35K Optical Sensor Gen-2 (rated at 90 million clicks), which can poll up to 8000 Hz wirelessly, Razer touts 99.8% resolution accuracy. Players can make 1 DPI incremental adjustment, which is impressive. Razer claims that the Viper V3 Pro can match the DPI sensitivity of any mice gamers might be used to, so there's no awkward 'getting used to it' period.

Available in Black and White editions, it weighs only 54 grams and ships with the Razer HyperPolling Wireless Dongle.

Continue reading: New Razer Viper V3 Pro is an esports gaming mouse with a 35K sensor that weighs just 54 grams (full post)

Xbox is finally creating a VR headset, but it's not what you think

Xbox has been toying around with the idea of entering the VR gaming space for years. When it was on the cusp of launching the Xbox One X console (codenamed Project Scorpio), the head of Xbox, Phil Spencer, touted it as powerful enough to handle VR gaming. At the time, Sony had the PlayStation VR, a niche but successful add-on for the PlayStation 4.

Xbox is finally creating a VR headset, but it's not what you think

Fast forward to 2024, and Xbox is more than a console platform, with cloud gaming, PC Game Pass, and the new owners of Activision Blizzard and all of its PC and mobile properties. Although Sony released a PlayStation VR2 refresh for the PlayStation 5 console, it has failed to meet sales expectations or reach the heights of the original.

In many ways, outside of PC and the success of the Meta Quest 2 and the SteamVR platform, virtual reality is not on the minds of all gamers. So, with news that Xbox is finally getting in on VR gaming, how it is doing so is not what you'd expect. Instead of a dedicated headset for console and PC, Xbox is partnering with Meta to launch "a limited-edition Meta Quest, inspired by Xbox."

Continue reading: Xbox is finally creating a VR headset, but it's not what you think (full post)

Sega Toys suspends robot cat sales and issues recall in Japan after reports of a burning smell

Sega Toys has a line of robot cats as part of its 'KIMIT Ragdoll' line, which attempts (arguably creepily) to recreate the look of a real cat. This means it has synthetic fur, so you can cuddle and pet it like the real thing. It even purs, though the eyes lighting up is a little strange.

Sega Toys suspends robot cat sales and issues recall in Japan after reports of a burning smell

Unfortunately, two months after their February 29th, 2024 debut (priced at around $215 USD), these robot cats are being recalled due to a 'burning smell.' At this point, you can probably put two and two together - electrical components mixed with synthetic fur lead to heat issues and an unpleasant plastic-burning smell.

As of writing, there aren't any reports of cat robots catching on fire, but Sega has issued an immediate recall of all models (including white and brown robot cats). Sega also asks users to turn them off immediately and go through the refund and returns process.

Continue reading: Sega Toys suspends robot cat sales and issues recall in Japan after reports of a burning smell (full post)

Senate officially bans TikTok in the US, giving it only one way it can stay

Jak Connor | Software & Apps | Apr 24, 2024 3:03 AM CDT

The beginning of the end of TikTok in the United States is here as the Senate has passed a bill that bans the ByteDance-owned app from the app store as it's considered to be a piece of software that is controlled by an adversary nation, China.

Senate officially bans TikTok in the US, giving it only one way it can stay

The bill was recently passed in the House with 350-58 votes and has now passed in the Senate with 79 votes to 18. Notably, the act was bundled into HR 815, a law that included authorized military funding to support Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. TikTok has been suspected as a surveillance application that is harvesting the data of millions of Americans, which doesn't sit well with many lawmakers, security experts, and the US government, especially considering TikTok is owned by ByteDance, a Chinese company.

The new legislation deems TikTok a national security risk as the app can scrape the personal data of 170 million Americans, which could then be shared with China's government. The app also has the potential to be used to spread misinformation in the US. However, the legislation gives TikTok one way of staying available in the US - ByteDance sells its share of TikTok to an entity the US government is satisfied with.

Continue reading: Senate officially bans TikTok in the US, giving it only one way it can stay (full post)

AMD's new RDNA 4 Radeon RX 8000 generation will use the same GDDR6 memory as previous gen

Kosta Andreadis | Video Cards & GPUs | Apr 24, 2024 3:02 AM CDT

According to insider @Kepler_L2, known for revealing hardware info for upcoming unannounced GeForce and Radeon hardware, AMD's next-generation RDNA 4 graphics cards will skip GDDR7 and stick with GDDR6 for the memory configuration.

AMD's new RDNA 4 Radeon RX 8000 generation will use the same GDDR6 memory as previous gen

AMD won't be upgrading or changing the memory spec and will stick with 18 Gbps GDDR6 for all cards in the lineup. As previously reported, NVIDIA is moving its Blackwell and GeForce RTX 50 Series to the new GDDR7 standard, starting with 28 Gbps speeds.

Sticking to older tech for its supposed next-gen RDNA 4 lineup might sound strange, but the reasoning makes sense when you factor in that the Radeon RX 8000 series won't target the high-end.

Continue reading: AMD's new RDNA 4 Radeon RX 8000 generation will use the same GDDR6 memory as previous gen (full post)

Roccat is no more, all future gear will now be released with Turtle Beach branding

Kosta Andreadis | Peripherals | Apr 24, 2024 2:31 AM CDT

Roccat is a brand that has been making high-quality PC peripherals for years, including keyboards, mice, and headsets. Based in Germany, Roccat was acquired by Turtle Beach in 2019 for $19.2 million, with the acquisition all about extending Turtle Beach's customer base from primarily console-based gamers to the world of PC.

Roccat is no more, all future gear will now be released with Turtle Beach branding

Roccat's gear has always maintained a unique look and feel with impressive performance, something that remained even after Turtle Beach acquired the company. Last year, I reviewed the funky Roccat Vulcan II Max Optical Gaming Keyboard, which paired great switches with a translucent wrist rest that lit up like a neon rainbow.

Well, the day has come - at least for the Roccat name, which is no longer a thing. All upcoming products with mow fall under the Turtle Beach branding, starting next month with the Turtle Beach Vulcan II TKL Pro Magnetic Mechanical RGB Gaming Keyboard and Turtle Beach Burst II Air Ultra-Lightweight Wireless PC Gaming Mouse.

Continue reading: Roccat is no more, all future gear will now be released with Turtle Beach branding (full post)

World's first robot dog with a flamethrower is now available to purchase

Jak Connor | Science, Space, Health & Robotics | Apr 24, 2024 2:16 AM CDT

If you thought robot dog flamethrowers were a thing of the future, you would have thought wrong as they are completely real, and you can buy one today.

World's first robot dog with a flamethrower is now available to purchase

Introducing Thermonator, the world's first flame-throw-wielding robot dog, and it's capable of launching a stream of fire up to 30 feet. The robot dog has been built on the Unitree Go2 quadruped robot that is akin to Boston Dynamics' iconic robot dog called Spot, except smaller and lighter. It should be noted that Boston Dynamics requires its buyers not to turn their robot dogs into weapons of any kind, which is why Thermonator is designed for "wildfire control and prevention," "snow and ice removal," and "entertainment and SFX."

Thermonator is equipped with a LIDAR sensor for navigation through mapping the objects it detects through its laser eyes, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, smartphone remote control, and first-person navigation through an on-board camera system. Thermonator weighs 37 pounds, is 30 × 20 × 20 inches, and features an ARC Flamethrower with a built-in fuel tank that can be filled with gasoline or a gasoline/diesel mixture.

Continue reading: World's first robot dog with a flamethrower is now available to purchase (full post)

Apple confirms swiping apps closed doesn't save you battery life

Jak Connor | Mobile Devices, Tablets & Phones | Apr 24, 2024 1:35 AM CDT

Many members of the younger generation cringe when they get a hold of a parents phone as they quickly realize that parent doesn't close apps once they are done using it, leading to the assumption they are wasting battery life. But what if I told you that assumption was wrong?

Apple confirms swiping apps closed doesn't save you battery life

Or at least it is for iPhone users. Users around the world are always looking for more ways to save battery, and one of those strategies is closing every app after use is done or in a large fell swoop every now and again. 9to5MacApple reports iOS chief Craig Federighi answered a question about if closing apps saved battery, to which he said, "no and no". Additionally, Apple's own support pages state that force-quitting an app should only be done if the app stops responding or is freezing.

Why is this the case? iOS is simply that good. Quitting apps seeming like the logical thing to do to save battery life is based on the presumption that more apps running in the background = more battery being drained. This isn't the case for iOS, as Apple's operating system freezes background apps, suspending any resources they demand to run, meaning background apps don't impact battery once they aren't being used (unless they have background processes such as GPS tracking or background music playing).

Continue reading: Apple confirms swiping apps closed doesn't save you battery life (full post)