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11+ min ago (692+ words) UPDATED 09:00 EST / DECEMBER 18 2025 The capacity of solid-state storage devices is soaring, with 32 terabytes now commonplace and 256-terabyte models expected to start shipping early next year, but all that bounty has also introduced a problem: The time required to test drives before putting them into operation has skyrocketed. Now SanDisk Corp. has released to open source a technique that reduces preconditioning times by as much as 90%. The method, called SanDisk Pseudo-Random, collapses what was once a multi-phase process into a single, carefully constructed write pass. The traditional approach worked well when SSDs were relatively small, but SanDisk engineers said it has begun to break down as capacities have surged. Drives larger than 32 terabytes can take days or even weeks to reach steady state, turning preconditioning into a major drag on development cycles, qualification timelines and customer testing. "With every run-break-fix cycle…...

11+ min ago (282+ words) By Ed Hardy " 6:00 am, December 18, 2025 iPhone screenshots can be simple again. Change a setting, and you can get rid of the complex new system Apple created for iOS 26 to capture an image of your iPhone screen. Here's what to do. Don't worry " switching back is easy. Some people take iPhone screenshots all the time. It used to be easy: simply press the Side Button and Volume Up Button simultaneously. Dumping the new complex iPhone screenshot system in iOS 26 for the old one requires changing a single setting. You just need to know how to find it. Start by opening the iPhone's Settings application, then tap on General. Scroll down a bit and you'll see a new entry you might not have noticed before: Screen Capture. Tap on it. The first option on the next screen is Full-Screen Previews. This is…...

11+ min ago (754+ words) AI Security Institute report finds most common type of AI tech used was general purpose assistants such as ChatGPT and Amazon Alexa A third of UK citizens have used artificial intelligence for emotional support, companionship or social interaction, according to the government's AI security body. The AI Security Institute (AISI) said nearly one in 10 people used systems like chatbots for emotional purposes on a weekly basis, and 4% daily. AISI called for further research, citing the death this year of the US teenager Adam Raine, who killed himself after discussing suicide with ChatGPT. "People are increasingly turning to AI systems for emotional support or social interaction," AISI said in its first Frontier AI Trends report. "While many users report positive experiences, recent high-profile cases of harm underline the need for research into this area, including the conditions under which harm could…...

11+ min ago (304+ words) Firmware version 4.0.0 for the Leica SL3 and SL3-S promises a bevy of improvements, most notably to autofocus performance. Firstly, the tracking algorithm can now automatically adjust the size and shape of the focus field during subject tracking, resulting in what Leica says is a more stable and reliable experience over extended periods. Beyond autofocus improvements, Version 4.0.0 also adjusts the Leica Looks menu, and a new "Intensity" setting option has been added. Monitor refresh rate can be toggled between 30 fps and 60 fps. Selecting the lower frame rate reduces power consumption in Live View mode. These new features are joined by the following list of bug fixes and general improvements: The entire Q3 family is getting updated to Version 4.0.0, too, although the specifics vary between the Q3, Q3 43, and Q3 Monochrom. What is shared is the promise of a completely revised user interface that is "inspired by…...

11+ min ago (997+ words) The Enlaps Tikee mini+ is an incredibly simple timelapse camera in both design and operation. It works best when connected to a WiFi or LTE network, but Bluetooth control is available via the Tikee Remote app. Build quality and image quality are both great for this type of camera, but the subscription options to 'myTikee' for remote image upload and compiling timelapses after are quite expensive. Extremely easy to use Compact and simple design Bluetooth doesn't offer full control Specialist timelapse cameras may sound like a niche, but they can be an absolute necessity: if you're planning on capturing long-term timelapse videos of constructions, industry or nature, over days, weeks, months or even years, you're going to need something specialist like the Enlaps Tikee mini+. The Tikee mini+ is easily one of the best timelapse cameras available, and is capable…...

11+ min ago (385+ words) Greet friends and (politely) turn away salespeople Ring is launching a new AI assistant for those occasions when you can't get to the door yourself, but a pre-recorded message won't quite cut it. Alexa+ Greetings is rolling out today, and will give different responses depending on who's calling, and which instructions you've given in advance. For example, if you tell Alexa+ Greetings that you want packages left out of sight behind your shed, it will relay this message when it identifies a delivery person, and even handle follow-up questions (if the package requires a signature, for example, and will have to be returned to the depot). It can also politely (or not so politely, if you're so inclined) turn down cold callers and salespeople, or give a friendly greeting if it recognizes a friend or family member. Still getting too…...

11+ min ago (754+ words) If you have $400 and want an iPad, your options are usually kind of limited to either just the base iPad, or better yet, the latest iPad Mini " if it happens to be on sale when you're shopping (it is now, but that's not always the case). But right now, you should consider getting [] If you have $400 and want an iPad, your options are usually kind of limited to either just the base iPad, or better yet, the latest iPad Mini " if it happens to be on sale when you're shopping (it is now, but that's not always the case). But right now, you should consider getting the 128GB version of Apple's 11-inch iPad Air with the capable M3 processor. At Target, multiple colors of this model are $399.99, beating the previous low of $449.99 we've seen during large-scale deal events. Currently, no other retailer…...

11+ min ago (1823+ words) Smart home gadgets from Amazon that actually work " 22 viral finds including laser tools, robot helpers, and AI lighting that upgrade your daily routine. Tap your phone and walk right in'keys are officially obsolete. Ever left the house only to realize you've pulled a total Homer Simpson, forgetting your keys? These smart locks can end that routine, letting you unlock your door with a tap of your phone or a voice command. Think of it as going from Fred Flintstone to George Jetson in one gadget. Integrating with Alexa or Google Assistant, these locks offer hands-free entry for when you're juggling groceries or just feeling extra lazy. Guest access via app? Check. Automatic locking and unlocking? Double-check. Plus, their sleek, waterproof design means they'll hold up better than your last Tinder date. Forget tape measures'this laser beam gets the job done…...

12+ min ago (334+ words) Google has confirmed display faults in select Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL units, launching a free three-year repair program. This move comes amid growing user complaints about flickering and vertical lines, highlighting ongoing quality concerns for the tech giant. Google has now officially acknowledged that some of these units are faulty, and the company will offer an extended free repair program for them. On a support page, Google notes that a limited number of Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL units may "experience issues that affect functionality of the device." For affected units, the company is launching an extended repair program that covers these devices for three years after the original retail purchase date. If eligible, Google will repair your phone for free. To qualify for the program, the device must show a vertical line on the display running…...

15+ min ago (212+ words) An in-depth exploration of the Printed Circuit Board (PCB), the foundational platform for virtually all modern electronic devices. This article covers its history, design, manufacturing, types, and future trends, highlighting its critical role in technological advancement. Introduction: The Unsung Hero of Electronics I. Historical Evolution: From Wire to Board The journey of the PCB is a story of innovation driven by necessity. Before its development, electronic devices like early radios and televisions relied on point-to-point wiring'a labor-intensive, bulky, and unreliable method prone to short circuits and failure. II. Anatomy and Manufacturing: Building the Board The manufacturing of a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) is a multi-stage ballet of chemistry, optics, and machinery. It begins with design files (Gerber files) generated by Electronic Design Automation (EDA) software. The key steps include: The universality of the Printed Circuit Board (PCB) is reflected in its many…...