106 – Breaking News & Latest Updates 2026
Skip to main content

Sean Hollister

Sean Hollister

Senior Editor

Senior Editor

    More From Sean Hollister

    Sean Hollister
    Sean Hollister
    Mini Maker Turbo Mini X: your socketed desktop processor in a transparent PC less than 1.5 inches thin.

    Mini Maker wasn’t on our transparent gadget radar, but I’m fixing that now! The Turbo Mini X looks incredibly svelte for something with a 65W Intel desktop chip inside, and there’s a companion eGPU with direct PCIe connection that’s allegedly faster than Thunderbolt. It’s not just vapor: Tom’s Hardware saw one.

    <em>The Turbo Mini X. (This one’s the PC, next image is the eGPU.)</em>
    <em>The StreamPlay X eGPU.</em>
    <em>I have a feeling “Touch ID” branding won’t fly in all countries...</em>
    <em>Lots ‘o ports.</em>
    <em>Spec sheet.</em>
    1/8
    The Turbo Mini X. (This one’s the PC, next image is the eGPU.)
    Sean Hollister
    Sean Hollister
    Today I learned some cheap wired earbuds actually use Bluetooth.

    Sounds like it’s mostly knockoff Apple Earpods. Wired explains:

    What’s going on is this: The plug on the buds using this workaround goes into the Lightning slot, which then doubles as a Bluetooth receiver that receives power from the port but routes its signal through the phone’s Bluetooth. That means your wired connection is actually wireless.

    Sean Hollister
    Sean Hollister
    Marvel’s Midnight Suns is free on the Epic Games Store.

    Ash called it “an unexpected triumph of tactics and friendship.” If you haven’t picked up the XCOM-and-Fire-Emblem-meets-Marvel superheroes game yet, there’s no better time than now — it’s free, no strings attached, at EGS through June 13th.

    Sean Hollister
    Sean Hollister
    Amazon will begin testing robotaxis in Austin and Miami too.

    That’s on top of San Francisco, Las Vegas, Seattle, and Zoox’s original Foster City test. Note, though:

    We won’t be deploying our purpose-built robotaxi or offering public rides in Austin or Miami just yet. Our target cities for our first commercial markets remain Las Vegas and San Francisco. But we’re exploring several cities for future commercial offerings after our initial launch.

    Sean Hollister
    Sean Hollister
    This is what a desktop motherboard with CAMM2 memory modules looks like.

    Originally I was just excited for LPCAMM2 modular laptop memory, but low-profile desktop RAM too? Hells yes.

    Image: MSI (X)
    Sean Hollister
    Sean Hollister
    A motherboard with no USB-A ports... but 10 USB-C instead.

    ASRock just traveled back in time from a distant future where USB-A is dead. Here’s its new Taichi Aqua motherboard as proof (via VideoCardz).

    Nice to know that optical audio survives the end of humanity!
    Nice to know that optical audio survives the end of humanity!
    Image: @OLIOSPEC (X)
    Sean Hollister
    Sean Hollister
    Google nixed the scary language about stealing your phone if you use unauthorized repair parts.

    Unauthorized Parts: You will not send in a Device containing non-Google-authorized parts – if You do, Your Device will not be returned to you.

    Unauthorized Parts: If You send a Device containing non-Google-authorized parts for repair, in certain situations (e.g., safety), Service Provider may not be able to repair Your Device. Service Provider will return Your Device except when health or safety requirements prevent us from doing so. If Service Provider can’t return Your Device, Google will work with You on next steps.

    Google claims it never actually kept people’s phones.