Month: June 2026

Amazon Tech Haul 16! Prime Day 2026 Edition

It’s time for another gadget tech haul! This time I have a collection of seven new items that I found of interest ahead of Amazon’s 2026 Prime Day(s)! Check out the video here!

You can find a compensated affiliate link to the complete list here. Many of the items are on sale for Amazon’s big summer promotion. With the exception of the Logitech Mouse below, all of these items came in free of charge from their manufacturers. All links below are compensated affiliate links.

The first device is the Aurzen D1R Air portable projector. It operates on the Roku TV platform and weighs approximately 2.6 pounds. The unit projects a 300-lumen image, which is optimized for an 80-inch display in darkened environments. It supports standard streaming applications and wireless display casting from computers, though the integrated speaker is basic and the input lag makes it less suitable for fast-paced video games. The device features automatic keystoning and focusing, and it can be powered via a traditional wall outlet with its included power cable or a 65-watt USB-C power supply (not included). The manufacturer also provided me with an optional tripod accessory equipped with an internal battery capable of powering the projector for roughly two and a half hours.

The Logitech Mobi Fold is a full sized bluetooth mouse that is optimized for travel thanks to its foldable design. It features standard left and right buttons, a capacitive scroll area, and forward/back navigation controls built into the center scroll surface. It charges via USB-C, pairs with up to three separate devices, and includes a user-replaceable battery.

Anker’s Soundcore Work is a meeting recorder that has server-based AI features for transcription and summarization. The hardware features a detachable, wireless microphone that magnetically clips to clothing, with the base unit able to attach to phones via Magsafe. Users receive 300 free minutes of transcription per month, after which a subscription fee applies. The device can be used without a subscription, but audio extraction is currently limited to the manufacturer’s proprietary app only.

In the diagnostic category, Treedix sent along their awesome USB Cable Tester. This tool identifies the specifications of connected cables, such as USB 4 or Lightning, by reading pinouts and e-marker data. It can also conduct a resistance test. It operates on a single AAA battery or direct USB-C power.

The Zima Board 2 is a fanless mini PC/server equipped with an Intel N150 processor, 8 gigabytes of non-upgradeable RAM, and 32 gigabytes of eMMC storage. It features a PCIe slot on the side for adding expansion cards (even GPUs), along with two powered SATA connectors for attaching external storage. It utilizes a custom operating system designed to simplify Docker container installations and does so more effectively that many competing NAS devices. However, the software defaults to older versions of these applications, requiring manual intervention to secure the latest updates. It’s priced higher than other comparably spec’ed Mini PCs that have more upgrade paths. But I found its headless design and Zima OS to be interesting enough to include in this lineup as there is potential here.

For portable power, Sharge sent over their Shargeek 170 power bank. It features a transparent casing that exposes its circuitry and battery cells, a 24,000 milliamp-hour capacity, and can deliver a maximum output of 170 watts. The built-in display provides real-time data on wattage and remaining runtime. In testing, it successfully powered the Aurzen projector and charged a dead mobile phone simultaneously while accepting an incoming charge. Plus it looks super cool.

The last items on the list is the ClonerAlliance Box Pro Pocket, a standalone video capture device. It records up to 1080p video at 60 frames per second via HDMI, but its standout feature lies with its analog inputs for RCA, component, and VGA connections. In the video I demonstrated capturing the VGA output from my 29 year old college laptop along with a VHS capture and upscale to 1080p. The device features an integrated screen and saves video directly to external storage (USB or SD card), providing a straightforward method for digitizing legacy media formats.

If you liked this lineup I have over a dozen more similar hauls I’ve done over the last couple of years! Check them out here.

Lenovo Idea Tab Plus 2026 Review – Budget Android Tablet

With technology prices rising due to memory shortages, finding a capable tablet that remains affordable has become more of a challenge. I recently reviewed the Lenovo Idea Tab Plus, a 12.1-inch device that is currently bundled with a case and pen at a great price over at Amazon (compensated affiliate link).

Click here to see my video review!

The tablet features a metal back and a glass display, weighing in at 1.17 pounds. While it supports accessories like a stylus and a keyboard case via pogo pins, these are not included in the base configuration which is what Lenovo sent to me for review.

The 12.1-inch screen offers a resolution of 2560 by 1600 and reaches a brightness of 600 nits. With a 90Hz refresh rate and 96% DCI-P3 color coverage, the interface feels responsive and the color accuracy is sufficient for general media consumption and light photo editing.

Under the hood, the device runs on a MediaTek Dimensity 6400 eight-core processor paired with 8GB of RAM. For storage, it provides 128GB internally, though an SD card slot allows for expansion up to 2TB. The physical ports are limited to a single USB-C 2.0 port used for charging and data; notably, it does not support wired video output.

During my daily use, the battery life consistently lasted between 10 and 12 hours for standard tasks like web browsing and email. The audio experience is supported by a quad-speaker system that automatically adjusts its stereo orientation when switching between landscape and portrait modes. While the 13-megapixel rear camera lacks stabilization, it produces sharper still images than many other budget tablets I have tested. The 8-megapixel front camera is adequate for video conferencing and supports facial recognition for unlocking the device, which is necessary as there is no fingerprint reader.

Performance is steady for multitasking. I found that I could run a YouTube video alongside a web browser without significant lag. The tablet also supports HD playback on streaming services like Netflix, which utilizes the 2K display effectively. For gaming, the hardware is capable of handling standard Android titles and some Gamecube emulation through the Dolphin emulator, though it does not match the benchmarks of more expensive models like the entry-level iPad or even some recent high-end budget competitor from Walmart’s Onn brand.

Two software features stood out during my time with the device. The first is a “PC mode” that allows apps to run in resizable windows, mimicking a desktop environment. This is particularly useful if the tablet is paired with a Bluetooth mouse and keyboard. The second is an integrated GPS radio that functions without an internet connection, a feature increasingly absent from other tablets in this price range.

On the software side, the device ships with Android 16. Lenovo has committed to two operating system updates and four years of security patches. However, the initial setup experience is somewhat hindered by a significant amount of pre-installed bloatware and prompts to download additional sponsored applications. Once these are cleared and the initial system updates are finished, the performance levels out.

While it lacks the high-end power found in flagship devices, this tablet occupies a practical middle ground. It offers a solid build and a high-resolution display for users who prioritize media and productivity over heavy gaming.

Disclosure: Lenovo provided the tablet for review on loan. No other compensation was received and they have not reviewed or approved this content prior to publication.

See more tablet reviews here!

This Retail GPU Works Great for Local AI !

I recently began exploring the practical applications of local AI by integrating a new GPU into my hardware configuration. I purchased an Asus card equipped with 16 gigabytes of video memory (compensated affiliate link) that by today’s standards is at a fairly “budget” price.

Check out what it can do in my latest video!

16 gigabytes is enough RAM to house the Gemma 4 26-billion parameter mixture of experts model. This specific model provides a balance of performance and efficiency that mirrors what many users expect from cloud-based subscriptions, but without the need for external data processing and costs.

My current setup involves an external GPU configuration using an Oculink Thunderbolt dock connected to a GMKTec mini PC. While the computer itself contains 64 gigabytes of system RAM, running these models exclusively on a GPU is necessary for maintaining acceptable speeds. For the software interface, I am using LM Studio, a free cross-platform application that allows for fine-tuning performance settings. One useful feature of this software is the ability to offload portions of a model to system memory if the GPU’s capacity is exceeded, though this results in a significant reduction in processing speed.

During initial testing, the Gemma model generated text at a rate of approximately 45 tokens per second generating a short fiction story. While the system consumes about 200 watts of power under a full load, it idles at 36 watts. Beyond simple text generation, the setup is capable of visual analysis. In one test, I provided the model with a photograph of some friends and I in front of Space Shuttle Atlantis. It accurately identified the shuttle and the attributes of the individuals in the frame, correctly processing the visual data without external assistance.

I also tested the model’s ability to handle complex document analysis. I combined a 24-page FCC proposal regarding prepaid smartphones with a transcript of a video I had previously recorded on the topic. Because LM Studio does not currently support PDF files, I converted the information into a single text document. After increasing the context length to its maximum setting to ensure the AI could “see” the entire file, I asked it to draft testimony for the FCC based on my specific concerns raised in the video and attributing those concerns to a specific portion of the FCC’s draft proposal. The model successfully identified my points regarding the privacy of whistleblowers and reporters and was mostly correct in its attributions.

The model demonstrated further utility in coding tasks. It managed to write a functional browser-based Space Invaders clone in a single attempt, including basic game logic and sound effects. Later, I used it to generate a Python script designed to scrape education statutes from a state website. When the first version of the script returned an error, the AI analyzed the problem and provided a corrected version that successfully consolidated numerous legal chapters into one searchable document.

For datasets too large for a standard chat interface, I utilized an application called Anything LLM to perform retrieval augmented generation, or RAG. This process involves indexing and embedding documents locally so the AI can query them efficiently. I uploaded five megabytes of state statutes and asked the model to calculate a specific school grant amount based on a complex formula. The model performed the necessary math and returned the correct figure of $2.2 million. I found that while the local model sometimes requires more specific prompting than cloud-based alternatives like Google’s Notebook LM, it is capable of providing high-fidelity results.

Running larger models, such as those with 31 billion parameters, reduces performance to about five tokens per second when the GPU memory is exceeded. However, the flexibility to swap between various models from Google, Qwen, or other developers allows for a customized approach to different tasks. These tools have reached a point where they are functional for data analysis and automated workflows while keeping all information on a local server. For anyone with a modern video card and a sufficient amount of VRAM, these local models offer a viable way to experiment with AI without relying on the cloud.

Fox to Acquire Roku in a $22 Billion Deal.. What’s Next?

The landscape of streaming TV shifted Monday with the announcement that Fox Broadcasting is set to acquire Roku. What will the implications of this $22 billion deal be for the average television viewer?

In my latest video, I dive into the details the two companies released during an investor call.

Roku’s current position in the market is a primary driver for this acquisition. The company currently accounts for 44% of total hours spent viewing connected TV content by brand in the United States. This dominance is not just limited to their standalone streaming sticks but extends to the numerous television sets that use the Roku operating system.

Over the last year, Roku reported approximately $5 billion in revenue, with advertising accounting for half of that figure. The business has transitioned away from hardware, which now represents only about 11% of their revenue, toward a model built on ad sales, data collection for targeted marketing, and a share of subscription fees from third-party services like Netflix.

For Fox, the acquisition provides a path to the top tier of the streaming market. By combining its existing viewership with the Roku Channel, Fox moves into a competitive position alongside industry leaders, trailing only YouTube in terms of market share and gaining ground on Netflix and Paramount. The company expects significant growth in both connected TV advertising and streaming subscriptions through this integrated platform.

Based on the details provided in the investor call, users should expect noticeable changes to the Roku interface. One of the key shifts involves the promotion of Fox-owned content and properties. The current “top picks” and algorithmic recommendations will likely favor Fox programming over other partners. The sports section is also expected to feature a heavier concentration of Fox Sports content. There is a possibility that the traditional grid of apps, which many users prefer for its simplicity, may be moved further down the screen to make room for these promoted recommendations and additional advertising spaces.

While Fox representatives stated they intend to maintain a level of “neutrality” toward other providers like Disney—partly because Roku earns revenue from selling those subscriptions—the emphasis on organic-looking Fox recommendations suggests a more curated experience. The core functionality of the devices is expected to remain intact, as the value of Roku has always depended on its ability to host a wide variety of streaming services. However, the path a user takes to find their preferred apps is likely to require navigating around Fox’s priorities.

The acquisition is structured as a mix of 60% cash and 40% stock, valuing Roku at $160 per share. Once the deal is finalized, Fox shareholders will own 73% of the combined entity, while Roku shareholders will hold the remaining 27%. Anthony Wood, the founder of Roku who previously established ReplayTV, is slated to remain on the board.

The deal still requires approval from shareholders and government regulators. with the companies anticipating the deal closing sometime in 2027. Watching how the interface evolves as we approach the closing date will provide the best indication of what the future of this hardware will look like in a Fox-owned ecosystem.

Let’s Talk About Windows 11’s Bloated Notepad and a Fix!

A few weeks ago, I published a video about Microsoft’s recognition about how bloated Windows has become. You don’t have to look much further than the current status of the Notepad app to see that bloat in action.

In my latest video, we take a look at Notepad.exe’s feature creep and how you can download a free alternative that brings the simple version we have all come to know and love back.

Upon opening Notepad now, the software automatically loads every document previously accessed, syncing them across a Microsoft account and putting each one in its own tab. It includes formatting options, a tabbed interface, and even integrated AI tools like Copilot.

This shift moves away from the utility’s original purpose. When I first used Notepad on Windows 3.1 in the early 1990s, it was a straightforward tool for taking quick notes. It handled one document at a time, requiring the user to close one file before opening another. This simplicity remained largely unchanged through several iterations of the operating system, from the original Windows 1.0 through Windows 10. The utility functioned effectively for decades because it remained focused on basic text entry without additional overhead.

The technical demands of the current version are also notable. In my recent observations, running four small text files in the updated Notepad consumed roughly 87 megabytes of RAM. This footprint appeared to grow the longer the application remained open, adding 10 megabytes during my testing period without opening any additional files, which may suggest background telemetry or memory management issues. To put this in perspective, the entire computer system I used in 1992 operated on only 4 megabytes of total memory. While some users might find the added features beneficial, the increased resource consumption seems high for a simple text editor – especially as Microsoft’s more robust text editor, WordPad, has been removed with its features now added to Notepad.

For those seeking a return to a more minimalist experience, an alternative has emerged from the open-source community. Dave Plummer, a retired Microsoft software engineer, has developed an application called RetroPad. It is designed to function like the classic version of the software, prioritizing speed and a minimal footprint. In a direct comparison, RetroPad used approximately 1.7 megabytes of memory to handle the same text that required nearly 88 megabytes in the official Microsoft version.

The application is currently available via GitHub, where the executable can be downloaded from the project’s binaries folder. Plummer is also developing a version in assembly language to further reduce the executable size, but I noticed its memory footprint was significantly larger than the other version.

For users who find the modern updates to be an unnecessary complication, this project offers a functional way to return to a simpler workflow.

Is the FCC Coming for Burner Phones & Prepaid Accounts?

I have been following reports regarding the Federal Communications Commission’s stance on the future of prepaid mobile devices and sim cards, often referred to as “burner phones.” While some headlines suggest a total ban is imminent, the reality is the FCC is currently weighing requiring that individuals identify themselves with a government ID when purchasing these devices and plans.

In my latest video, I take a look at what the FCC is considering and what the implications might be.

The core of this issue lies in the persistence of illegal call traffic. Many of us are familiar with the daily influx of fraudulent text messages and automated calls, ranging from “pig butchering” investment schemes to fake government notifications. To facilitate these operations, bad actors frequently utilize “SIM farms”—setups where hundreds of SIM cards are loaded into machines to send out bulk messages efficiently. Currently, it is relatively easy to walk into a convenience store, pay cash for a prepaid SIM card, and gain access to the cellular network with total anonymity.

Under a new proposal, the FCC is looking to tighten the requirements for these purchases. The proposed rules would require providers to obtain a customer’s name, physical address, and a government-issued ID number, along with an alternate phone number, before activating service. This would apply to both new and renewing prepaid customers. Furthermore, the commission is considering disqualifying the use of P.O. boxes, mail forwarding services, and shared office locations as valid addresses, arguing that these do not sufficiently verify a user’s identity.

There are, however, significant privacy implications to consider. Certain groups rely on the ability to remain anonymous for their safety and professional integrity. This includes whistleblowers, domestic violence survivors who need to keep their location hidden from abusers, and journalists working on sensitive assignments. By requiring a government ID and a physical home address for every prepaid phone, the barrier to maintaining that privacy becomes much higher.

Groups like the Electronic Frontier Foundation have expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of such a move. The argument is that criminals will likely not be deterred by these requirements; instead, they may simply use stolen identities from the numerous databases already available on the dark web to bypass the system. This creates a risk where the policy could inadvertently incentivize more identity theft while doing little to stop the actual robocalls.

I find the focus on the end-user somewhat misplaced. Mobile carriers have the technical capacity to identify when hundreds of SIM cards are operating from a single location and connecting to the same cell tower to blast out thousands of messages. Concentrating on carrier accountability and the detection of SIM farms might address the root of the problem more effectively than collecting the personal data of every individual user.

Within the commission, there is a visible divide on how to proceed. While the two Republican commissioners (Chairman Brendan Carr and Commissioner Olivia Trusty) have labeled this a top priority for consumer protection, Democrat Anna Gomez has raised concerns regarding the privacy of those who use prepaid services legitimately. Gomez feels the onus should be on the carriers to detect fraudulent traffic.

As this proposal moves through the rule-making process, the commission is seeking public comment on dockets 17-59 and 02-278. In the video I demonstrate how you can submit public comment on this docket.

So while this is not the end of burner phone, the era of anonymous entry into telecommunications network may be nearing an end. I will continue to monitor the docket as this proceeding makes it through the process.

See more analysis pieces like this here!

Local AI is Finally Usable! Real-World Workflows on a 5-Year-Old Mac with Google Gemma

For the past few years, I have been downloading local AI models to determine if they could handle practical automation tasks or summarize long-form content. Historically, these experiments have been unsuccessful, with the models typically failing to provide comprehensive results or losing track of the original context. However, recent developments in model optimization, specifically on Apple hardware, have changed the baseline for what is possible on a personal computer.

In my latest video, I demo running Google’s latest Gemma 4 model, a 26-billion parameter “mixture of experts” model optimized for the Mac using the MLX framework on my 2021 Macbook Pro with an M1 Max and 32GB of RAM.

Check it out here!

I observed the model generating approximately 50 tokens per second. While this is slower than a high-end cloud-based system, it represents a very usuable generation speed for a local setup. The unified memory architecture of the Mac allows the GPU to access data efficiently, which is why these older machines remain relevant for AI tasks that would otherwise require significant cloud computing resources.

During my testing, I provided the model with a transcript from a recent video to see if it could produce a coherent summary. Unlike previous local models that often provided incomplete or erratic responses, this model maintained a consistent narrative and adhered strictly to the provided text. I also tested it with a dense legal document from an FCC docket. After processing a large amount of extracted text, the model was able to delineate the key arguments of the filing and, upon further prompting, condensed the information into a concise executive summary.

I also examined the model’s vision capabilities using a tool called MLX studio, which supports image analysis. I uploaded a photograph with some friends and I in front of a space shuttle and asked the model to describe the scene. While it misidentified the vehicle as a Dreamchaser—a different type of spacecraft—the level of detail was a step forward from earlier local models that often provided much less accurate descriptions. This functionality is particularly useful for my ongoing project to index a large archive of digital photos dating back to 1997. Using a local model for this type of organization could potentially eliminate the costs and privacy issues associated with the thousands of API calls required for cloud-based indexing.

To test the model’s utility in a production environment, I integrated it into my N8N automation server. I currently use a cloud-based AI with my N8N server to scan news feeds and identify relevant stories for my daily work. I ran a portion of this same workflow using the local Gemma model to see if it could replicate the results. It took approximately three minutes to process the news briefing. Although the results were not quite as polished as those from the cloud, the model successfully identified unique stories and avoided duplicated stories about Apple’s WWDC event that were being published at the time.

Google appears to be prioritizing the development of effective local models more than some of its competitors, providing a way for users to utilize AI without incurring expenses beyond the electricity required to run their own hardware. Seeing a 26-billion parameter model function with this level of stability on a five-year-old laptop has caused me to rethink my existing workflows. I am now looking at which of my daily tasks can be moved away from the cloud and managed entirely on my own hardware.

See more videos like this here!

ATSC 3.0 Update: DRM Breaks TV Emergency Messaging!

Last week, Weigel Broadcasting met with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to present the findings of a study they conducted regarding encrypted TV signals and Emergency Alert System (EAS) messages . They found that the EAS messages were encrypted along with the content, limiting who can actually see it.

In my latest video I detail Weigel’s findings.

For the past two decades, the ATSC 1.0 standard has allowed nearly any television to receive TV broadcasts with a simple antenna. These devices do not require firmware updates or internet connectivity to decode signals; they operate on a settled standard that works immediately upon being plugged in. In contrast, many ATSC 3.0 televisions and tuning boxes require digital certificates to decrypt content. In some cases, these certificates require an internet connection to refresh, creating a potential point of failure during a crisis – especially if the user doesn’t regularly use the over the air tuner on their television.

Weigel’s presentation to the FCC highlighted a documented disconnect between industry claims and technical reality. While some industry groups have previously stated that content protection does not impede the delivery of emergency alerts, Weigel’s testing in Chicago, Charlotte, Green Bay, and South Bend suggested a different outcome. Using both certified and uncertified tuning devices, researchers found that if a device was unable to decrypt the primary television signal, it failed to display the Emergency Alert System (EAS) messages. The emergency information was essentially trapped inside the encrypted signal.

This creates a significant reliability issue. During severe weather events or other catastrophes, internet and cellular infrastructure are often the first services to fail due to damaged fiber optic lines or power outages. If a television requires a handshake with a remote server to decode a local broadcast, the very system designed for emergency redundancy becomes dependent on the infrastructure most likely to be compromised. I observed a practical example of this earlier this year when a certified tuning box failed to decode encrypted channels during a blizzard due to a security certificate error, even though it was marketed as not requiring an internet connection.

The financial and technical barriers to entry are also notable. Currently, ATSC 3.0 tuners are primarily found in high-end television models, leaving low- and mid-range consumers without native access. The third-party boxes that can bridge this gap are subject to a certification process controlled by the nation’s largest broadcasters. This allows those broadcasters to determine which devices are permitted to decrypt the public airwaves, a shift from the open-standard approach that’s been around for decades.

Weigel’s recommendations to the FCC seek to establish several safeguards as this transition continues. They are advocating for the continued requirement of ATSC 1.0 simulcasting for the foreseeable future to ensure the public is not abruptly cut off. Furthermore, they suggested that a minimum of 19.3 megabits per second of bandwidth be dedicated specifically to free over-the-air video to prevent spectrum from being diverted to private data services. Their proposal also concedes that while digital rights management may exist, it should never require an internet connection for decryption, and signal reception thresholds should remain consistent so consumers are not forced to replace existing antennas.

The FCC is now faced with a choice regarding how to balance the revenue desires of broadcasters with the safety requirements of the general public. The data provided by this study offers a specific look at the risks of prioritizing revenue over accessibility. What’s next? Stay tuned!

See more in my ATSC 3.0 series here.

SuperStation One With Dock MiSTer Review : Lots of Analog TV Options!

After months of waiting, I finally got my Superstation One, a new “consoleized” MiSTer device developed by hardware maker Taki Udon. For those who follow the MiSTer open-source project, the Superstation One represents a shift toward a more consumer-friendly form factor that does not require stacking a bunch of circuit boards together.

See it in action in my latest MiSTer review!

For those not familiar, a MiSTer runs classic computers and video games (both console and arcade) using FPGA technology. The FPGA chip replicates the logic of the original chips found on these devices which makes it incredibly accurate to the original. While the Superstation One looks a lot like the original Playstation, complete with controller and memory card slots, it is compatible with the full MiSTer library of old computers and gaming platforms.

The Playstation ports utilize an integrated “SNAC” interface to connect the peripherals directly to the PS1’s FPGA core, which reduces input latency compared to standard USB. While the base unit is limited to PlayStation controllers, adding the dock provides a universal SNAC port for other adapters, such as those for NES Zapper light guns as I demoed in the video.

The base console retails for $210, and I paired mine with the $45 docking station. The dock includes an optical drive intended to eventually boot physical media for systems like the Sega CD and TurboGrafx-16. However, at this stage of development, the CD drive is not functional within the software. The dock does provide other useful features, such as an NVME slot for high-capacity SSD storage, several additional USB ports, USB interfaces for development and a “SNAC” port for attaching original controllers and light guns.

The variety of video outputs sets this apart from other MiSTer clones I have used. It includes a standard HDMI output found on most modern devices, but it also integrates a wide range of analog video options: VGA (including the option to break VGA out to component RGB), a Sega Saturn-style DIN connector (for special DIN RGB cables), a dedicated component video output, S-video, and composite RCA. This is currently the only MiSTer that incorporates all of these video options directly on the hardware.

In my testing, I was able to run an RCA composite signal to a 40-year-old Hitachi television while simultaneously outputting an HDMI signal to a modern monitor. This allows for playing on a period-accurate zero latency CRT display while capturing high-definition footage for a stream or recording. The video signals were clean, and the composite and S-video options worked without requiring additional configuration (for most cores) or external dongles.

I tested several demanding cores, including the PlayStation, Saturn, Neo Geo, and Sega 32X. Everything performed the same as other MiSTer hardware I have tested.

The software environment, however, feels unpolished. Because this hardware is offering video output features beyond what is typically found on a stock MiSTer, I encountered some cores that required specific dip-switch adjustments to output color correctly over certain analog connections. Taki Udon is developing a custom, console-style menu system that is currently in a beta state that is just barely usable. Eventually that interface will be able to access the optical drive but for now it’s mostly a proof of concept.

The build quality is generally solid, though there are minor points of concern. The plastic doors on the unit can detach easily, and the system runs noticeably warm during operation. While my unit remained stable during extended memory tests without a cooling fan, the developer now offers an active cooling solution for those concerned about heat.

But all in, this hardware offers a more accessible entry point for users who want a turnkey solution rather than a DIY assembly. It consolidates features that usually require multiple add-on boards into a single footprint. As Taki now focuses in on the software aspects fo the device and the optical drive becomes functional, the utility of the Superstation One will expand.

California Backing Off on Linux Age Verification ?

I recently followed up on the developments regarding California’s age verification law, which originally sought to require all operating system providers—including those in the open-source community—to collect the birth dates or ages of their users. A new amendment is currently moving through the California legislature that attempts to address some of the concerns raised by the initial language, specifically by creating a carveout for open-source providers.

We take a look at that in my latest video.

The proposed amendment adds a section to exempt any person or entity that distributes an operating system or application under license terms allowing a recipient to copy, redistribute, and modify the software. Under this definition, open-source projects would likely be exempt from the data collection requirements. However, the scope of this exemption raises questions about major platforms like Android. While Google layers closed-source services onto its devices, the underlying operating system is redistributable and modifiable, which could potentially place it within this new exemption.

Despite the move to protect open-source software, other parts of the amendment introduce new privacy considerations. The updated language specifies that operating systems must share a user’s age information with several third parties, including application stores, developers, browser providers, and internet website operators. Because website operators in California may be held accountable for the age of their users, they are likely to request this data as a matter of course to ensure they are in compliance with the law.

The amendment also places the onus on developers and website operators to act on their own data should it conflict with the age information sent by the operating system. This suggests that the data provided by the operating system may not be treated as a definitive source, which could encourage websites to collect even more personal information independently to avoid legal trouble. Furthermore, the law does not currently appear to restrict these developers or website operators from sharing that age data with other third parties.

This legislative activity passed the California State Assembly last week by a vote of 68 to 1 and is now heading to the State Senate. It is expected to be signed by the governor before the original law takes effect this fall. This is part of a broader national trend, as seen in Texas where the state is currently taking legal action against platforms like Discord to enforce mandatory age verification.

As state governments continue to move forward with these requirements, the impact on individual privacy remains a primary point of discussion. While these laws aim to regulate access, they may also lead to a shift in how people use the internet. I will be watching to see if these measures result in a rise of decentralized, open-source applications that replicate the functionality of major social platforms while operating outside the reach of centralized data collection mandates.