Month: October 2026

Alexa Tablet 11 Review – Amazon’s New Google Tablets?

Amazon has recently updated its tablet lineup with a new entry that represents a significant shift in its hardware strategy. I purchased the Amazon Alexa tablet 11 to see how this device bridges the gap between Amazon’s traditional ecosystem and the broader world of Android. Unlike the previous Fire tablets, this model now includes Google services, making it a hybrid device that functions as both an Amazon product and a Google-integrated tablet.

Check it out in my latest video!

This 11-inch model occupies the middle of the current lineup. It sits between an 8-inch version that costs a little bit less and a 12-inch Pro version that sells for a lot more (compensated affiliate link).

Consistent with Amazon’s previous marketing strategies, the base price includes advertisements on the lock screen, though these can be removed for an additional fee. While the inclusion of the Google Play Store means users no longer need to sideload apps, there is a caveat for long-time users: apps previously purchased through the Amazon App Store will not transfer to this device.

The experience of using the tablet feels like navigating two different worlds. During the initial setup, I had to agree to separate terms of service for both Amazon and Google. I encountered several hurdles during the first hour of use, including mandatory updates for the Silk browser and multiple permission requests for the Alexa app to function. This results in a setup process that is less streamlined than previous generations, requiring more patience to get the device fully operational.

On the hardware side, the build quality is sturdy with an all-metal chassis and a high-quality glass front. It weighs approximately 16.4 ounces, making it feel substantial but portable. The 11-inch 2.5K display is a strong point, offering 276 pixels per inch, which provides clear detail for reading and viewing photographs. Amazon has also implemented a 90 Hz refresh rate, intended to smooth out movement on the screen. However, I noticed that the internal processor occasionally struggles to keep pace with the interface, leading to moments where the experience does not feel as fluid as the display specs suggest.

The internal specifications include a MediaTek Kompanio 540 processor, 8 GB of RAM, and 64 GB of built-in storage. There is no microSD card slot for expansion, so users requiring more space for media will need to opt for the 128 GB model at the time of purchase. Connectivity is limited to a single USB-C 2.0 port which handles charging and data but does not support video output. There is also no headphone jack, though a fingerprint reader is integrated into the side button for quick access.

In practical use, I found the web browsing experience to be snappy, whether using the Silk browser or Google Chrome. However, the tablet lacks sophisticated palm rejection. If my thumb rested even slightly over the bezel while holding the device, the screen often became unresponsive to scrolling or triggered unintended menus. This is an area where other modern tablets have generally seen more refinement. For multitasking, the device handles split-screen mode well, allowing for simultaneous browsing and video playback.

When it comes to gaming, the performance is mixed. Popular titles like Roblox run adequately, though lag is noticeable in more complex environments. Benchmark testing puts the performance of this tablet roughly in line with Amazon’s 11-inch offerings from two or three years ago, trailing behind competitors like the entry-level iPad (compensated affiliate link) or more powerful offerings from brands like Walmart’s Onn line. One bright spot for Prime members is the inclusion of Amazon Luna, which allows for cloud streaming of high-end PC games. Using a Wi-Fi 6 connection, I was able to stream titles at 1080p with manageable latency, provided the internet connection remained stable.

One notable omission in this new model is the “Show Mode.” Prior Fire tablets could function as an Echo Show when docked or locked, displaying visual information and smart home controls. This device lacks that visual interface when locked; it will respond to voice commands, but it does not provide the full visual dashboard found on older models. This may be a side effect of the transition to a more standard Google-based operating system. When the device is unlocked visual responses appear inside of the Alexa widget that pops up over the interface.

The choice here depends largely on how much one values the integration of Google and Amazon services in a single piece of hardware. While the display and build quality remain competitive, the stagnant processor performance and the loss of specific Amazon features like Show Mode suggest a device that is still finding its footing. Given that you can get the more powerful iPad and Onn tablet for around the same price, this one is a tough sell.

Local AI Coding from Scratch: A Practical Beginner’s Guide

Over the last few months I’ve been dabbling into Local AI and finding many small successes especially when it comes to coding small apps to help improve my workflow. I even made a functional replacement for Quickbooks!

Many people have asked about the starting point for this type of work and the core concepts required to set up local coding agents. In my latest video, I guide you through setting up a local coding agent step-by-step.

The foundation of local AI is having adequate hardware. On the Windows side, a system with a dedicated GPU is necessary because CPUs and system memory process AI tasks slowly. My current configuration utilizes an ASUS AI Pro 9700 card (compensated affiliate link), which provides the necessary memory to run larger models. But even smaller gaming GPUs with 8GB of RAM can run effective local models. For those on Mac, Apple M-series devices with 16 or 32 gigabytes of RAM is sufficient for these tasks thanks to their unified memory architecture. The objective is to fit the AI model entirely within the GPU memory for optimal performance.

The first tool I recommend for those starting out is LM Studio Bionic. When it is first launches, it will suggest models based on the detected hardware. I frequently use the Qwen 3.8 27B model on my 32GB hardware, which is effective for local coding. If you have less memory available, there are some very effective models from Qwen and Google that Bionic will recommend. Look for models with a green label that can be fully offloaded to the GPU.

After downloading, I make a few adjustments to the default settings: I disable the reasoning budget to allow the model more latitude in problem-solving, and on Windows, I disable “mmap” to prevent system RAM from becoming overloaded.

Understanding context length is another vital part of the process. Context serves as the model’s short-term memory. As a conversation progresses, the memory fills up, and eventually, the model must “compact” the information or it will stop functioning. This is a primary constraint of local AI, so I aim to balance the model size and the context length so they both fit comfortably on the GPU. Additionally, I set the runtime to Vulkan for AMD or Intel GPUs, or CUDA if using an Nvidia card.

Beyond those settings you don’t need to change much else to get started with
Bionic.

To demonstrate how these agents function, I initiated a project in Bionic to build a website based on a spreadsheet of Star Trek: The Next Generation episodes. I provided a CSV file and some images, then prompted the model to create an attractive site using the show’s specific aesthetic. The local model, through Bionic, worked as an agent, reviewing the files the my hard drive and writing the HTML and JavaScript files directly to the folder.

While it made a few minor errors regarding character names, I was able to provide a follow-up prompt to correct the code instantly. This ability to edit files locally, rather than copying and pasting from a cloud-based chat interface, is a significant efficiency gain.

I also tested the model’s ability to create a native Windows application in C#. While the model successfully produced an executable file, the result was less refined than the web version. Local models often have less training data for specific native desktop frameworks compared to standard web technologies. For simple utilities, local models are quite capable, but more complex native software still requires significant manual prompting and refinement.

When a task requires reformatting data or scraping information from the web, I often move to a different harness called OpenCode. This tool does not host models like Bionic does, so it requires a server to access the model. I use Bionic as that server by enabling its local model API server feature. This setup allows me to use the advanced agentic features of OpenCode while still running the actual processing on my own hardware.

OpenCode does require some configuration to connect to a local server – but because OpenCode allows you to connect to some cloud models for free, you can just ask it to configure itself for your local Bionic server.

In the video, I demo using OpenCode and a smaller Qwen 3.5 9B model to gather contact information for City Councilors from New York City and Los Angeles and put that information into a spreadsheet. The agent navigated the sites, identified the names and email addresses of council members, and compiled them into a spreadsheet. Although the smaller model missed a few details, it successfully automated a task that would otherwise require tedious manual entry. Larger models will do a little better but it’s remarkable how good small models have become at this task.

Starting with a self-contained application like Bionic provides a low-barrier way to learn the concepts of agentic coding. As requirements grow, transitioning to more complex harnesses or integration with Visual Studio becomes the next logical step. Local AI provides a level of privacy and ownership that cloud services cannot offer, as all data and processing remain on personal hardware. I find that my local models can now handle the majority of my smaller daily coding and data tasks, and I only turn to cloud-based alternatives when a project exceeds my local hardware’s capacity.

See more in my Local AI series here!

Lots of Media Appearances This Week!

I’ve had a bunch of media appearances this week!

On Tuesday, I appeared WTNH TV’s Dennis House for his “House of Cars” show talking about EVs. I shared my personal journey as an early adopter, starting with the Chevy Volt in 2011 and later owning Teslas, which allowed me to discuss the logistics of home charging and the reliability of the Supercharger network compared to other charging infrastructure. We also chatted about the market offerings of other EV players, while weighing the advantages of low maintenance and fuel savings against the challenges of “range anxiety” and winter battery degradation.

Thursday morning I appeared on WTIC-AM’s “Brian and Company” morning show with host Brian Shactman covering a wide range of topics. We started with the mechanics and safety of Tesla’s end-to-end AI driving models before reflecting on my journey as a tech reviewer, where I prioritize creator ethics and affordable hardware for my audience. We then shifted to the business of space, specifically discussing how SpaceX’s Starshield is utilized in the Ukraine conflict and the inherent vulnerabilities of satellite networks. In the last segment we discussed local AI models for coding and the strategic “arms race” for model efficiency between the U.S. and China, while warning about the security risks posed by AI-driven cyberwarfare.

And yesterday I popped into Jeff Rossen’s Rossen Reports live show to talk about a recent Anthropic study that found the potential for AI models to self replicate and run inside of networks of Android TV boxes. Rossen’s team put together some sound advice for consumers that protects against all sorts of vulnerabilities. I will also be in another upcoming episode that we recorded following the stream.

The ADTH NextGen TV ATSC 3.0 Tuner Has Sloppy Security..

The transition to the new broadcast standard known as ATSC 3.0, or NextGen TV, is currently underway. As part of this shift, broadcasters are moving toward encrypting television signals, a move that renders nearly all existing TVs and tuning unable to receive live broadcasts.

And the tuning boxes that the broadcast industry is requiring consumers to buy to watch free over the air TV are not great. What’s worse, they’re dangerously insecure.

In my latest video, I had a local AI model poke around the lowest price box, from ADTH, and found some dangerous vulnerabilities.

The second-generation ADTH tuning box serves as a primary example of these issues. Upon inspection, the device is running Android 11 with a security patch level dated October 1, 2021. This means the operating system is several years out of date. Google officially sunsetted support for Android 11 in 2024, leaving this hardware with hundreds of unpatched vulnerabilities.

Through testing on a local area network, I have identified several vulnerabilities. I was able to inject a still a still image on the screen while the box still registered as being tuned to an encrypted local NBC affiliate. This was not an attack on the radio frequency signal itself, but rather a local network exploit of the box’s internal software through an unauthenticated API.

Further testing of the ADTH box revealed that it is possible to inject video directly into the program stream too. By running a script from a computer on the same network, I replaced the live broadcast with a custom video file. The device continued to display the interactive feature overlay from the original channel, unaware that the stream had been compromised.

This is possible thanks to an open API server on the box that accepts various commands without any form of authentication. I was able to pull a complete list of available ATSC 3.0 channels and change the channel remotely. While this might only result in minor household pranks in a single-family home, it poses a larger risk in environments like apartment buildings or commercial spaces where multiple people share a Wi-Fi network. Furthermore, an open web server on port 3000 allows anyone on the network to access the device’s unique identifier and monitor what is being watched.

The security flaws also impact the stability of the device. I successfully generated a script that crashes the TV player application on command, forcing it to reset. While I have not yet identified a method for remote code execution or rooting the device, the ability to crash the tuner via a simple network script suggests the potential for more serious exploits, such as buffer overflows that can exploit the out of date operating system.

These vulnerabilities represent a notable level of sloppiness in the security design of a consumer product. Using a local AI model and basic scripting, I was able to gain significant control over the device in less than two days. A more skilled actor with could likely find even more intrusive ways to exploit a system that is five years behind on security updates.

As the broadcast industry continues to push for digital rights management in public interest broadcasts, the quality and security of the required hardware remain under-regulated. The FCC should take note of these security lapses, as consumers deserve both the ability to access public broadcasts and the assurance that the devices they are forced to use are not creating unnecessary risks on their home networks.

HP Googlebook 14 Review

My latest laptop review takes a look at HP Googlebook 14, a premium laptop that runs Google’s new Android-based operating system. While there are inherent limitations to this platform that differ from a Mac or Windows PC, the hardware itself represents a high-end approach to the Google ecosystem.

Check out my video review here!

At a starting price of approximately $1,200 (compensated affiliate link), this machine positions itself alongside the MacBook Air and other premium Windows laptops. It features a 14-inch OLED display with a 3K resolution of 2880 by 1800 and a variable refresh rate. The screen reaches a brightness of 500 nits and supports touch input. Inside, it utilizes the Snapdragon X Elite processor, an ARM-based chip designed for efficiency. HP claims a battery life of roughly 19 hours, which appears achievable under light workloads with moderate brightness settings.

The physical design includes a backlit keyboard with the standard Google OS layout and a haptic trackpad that provides feedback through vibration rather than physical movement. This is an all-aluminum device that weighs 2.74 pounds, making it a portable option for those who prioritize build quality and industrial design.

Security is handled via a fingerprint reader integrated into the power button and facial recognition through the 1080p webcam. Port selection is modest, consisting of two USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 ports and a headphone jack. It is worth noting that these ports support 10 gigabits per second but do not offer the faster Thunderbolt or USB4 standards found on many competitors at this price point.

In terms of performance, the interface feels responsive, and web browsing is efficient. On the browserbench.org speedometer test, the device scored a 37.9, which is consistent with other laptops in its price category. However, I did notice some technical inconsistencies. The system dropped frames during 4K 60fps YouTube playback in both the browser and the app, suggesting that further driver optimization for the Snapdragon processor may be required. I was impressed with the Wi-Fi 7 radio on board that reached speeds of 1.3 gigabits per second up and down.

The software experience relies heavily on the Google Play Store. While there are applications labeled as “optimized for desktop,” many remain essentially mobile versions. For example, the version of Microsoft Excel available here lacks the comprehensive feature set found on the PC or Mac. Similarly, video editing tools like LumaFusion are functional but do not yet match the professional-grade utility of desktop suites. Users should be prepared for a more restrictive environment than what is offered by traditional desktop operating systems.

Multimedia performance is generally positive. The four-way speaker system is crisp, and streaming apps like Netflix support high-definition playback and offline downloads. Gaming remains largely dependent on cloud services like GeForce Now due to the limitations of local software. While I successfully ran a PlayStation 2 emulator at full speed, popular native Android titles like Call of Duty Mobile and Fortnite are currently incompatible with the platform.

One notable regression from Google’s prior ChromeOS operating system is Googlebook’s Linux implementation. While it is possible to run Linux applications, the experience is less integrated than it was on Chrome OS. Applications like LibreOffice run within a sandbox and require navigating a less intuitive graphical interface within a terminal window, which limits the utility for those who rely on secondary operating system environments.

This hardware represents a significant step up for users coming from the Chromebook ecosystem who want a more refined, premium experience. However, for those accustomed to the robustness of Windows or macOS, the transition involves navigating several functional compromises. The HP Google Book 14 is a well-built piece of technology that offers a glimpse into a potential third competitor in the laptop space, provided the software ecosystem continues to mature.

Disclosure: The laptop was provided on loan from HP. They did not sponsor this content nor did they review or approve the review prior to upload.

Googlebook Review – An Overview of Google’s Newest OS

Google has introduced a new class of laptops known as Googlebooks, and I have spent the last week working with an HP Googlebook 14 (compensated affiliate link) powered by a Snapdragon processor. This device is positioned for the premium segment of the market, placing it in direct competition with hardware like the MacBook Air or Dell XPS. While the form factor is familiar, the internal experience represents a shift from the traditional Chrome OS.

See how Googlebook OS works in my review video!

The foundation of the Googlebook is Android – the same OS that powers phones and tablets from Google and other makers. Unlike previous efforts where Android apps felt like a bolt-on, this environment is integrated from the ground up. In my time with the device, the interface felt like a proper desktop computer, avoiding the awkwardness of earlier Android-based laptops.

When browsing the Play Store, the best experience comes from apps optimized for the desktop, which allow for free-form window resizing rather than being locked into phone or tablet dimensions. It is worth noting, however, that the Android versions of productivity software like Excel are often less feature-rich than their full desktop counterparts on Windows or macOS.

Multimedia performance has seen some specific improvements. On older Chromebooks, the web browser was often the only way to get a high-quality streaming experience. On the Google Book, the Netflix Android app now supports high-definition video and offline downloads, resolving previous digital rights management issues that capped resolution at 480p.

The integration between the laptop and other Android hardware is one of the more prominent features. Using a Pixel 8a, I found that the laptop could recognize active browser tabs on the phone and allow me to resume that work instantly on the larger screen. There is also a system for casting apps directly from the phone to the laptop. This allows for updating data or checking mobile-only apps without having to pick up the physical phone. The file system also recognizes the connected phone as a storage location, facilitating easier file transfers.

Artificial intelligence via Google’s Gemini service is central to the experience. The device includes a year of Gemini AI Pro and five terabytes of cloud storage. One utility, called the magic pointer, allows the user to highlight information on the screen—such as a list of meetings in a PDF—and have the AI do something with that information like create calendar entries. Another tool, a dictation feature called the rambler, attempts to understand the context of speech. Rather than providing a literal transcript, it removes filler words and self-corrections to produce a clean draft. Some other AI features, such as a custom widget maker, proved less consistent in my testing, often providing links to websites rather than functional desktop widgets.

There are areas where the Googlebooks currently fall short of a traditional PC. Gaming is a primary concern; many popular titles like Fortnite or Call of Duty Mobile either do not install or refuse to run due to anti-cheat software not recognizing the device. This is a notable omission given the capable hardware found in both the ARM and Intel versions of these machines.

Power users may find the Linux implementation more restrictive than it was on Chrome OS. While I was able to install Linux GUI applications, they do not integrate into the main app menu and must be run inside the terminal window using a minimal interface.

For developers, the system includes an AI coding application called Anti Gravity. I used this tool to have the AI write and compile a functional RSS reader Android app entirely on the device. While this demonstrates a path for on-device development, the overall environment is still not as robust as the tools available on more established operating systems.

The Google Book succeeds in providing a natural, desktop-style interface for those already comfortable within the Google ecosystem. It offers a familiar environment with a minimal learning curve and serves as a capable upgrade for the standard Chromebook user. The value proposition ultimately depends on whether the user’s workflow fits within these limited parameters or requires the broader flexibility of a traditional laptop.

MiSTer Gets Plex! A First Look at the New Plex Core

Now you can get your full Plex library working through a vintage CRT television without having to use lousy converter boxes. A developer has created a feature Plex core for the popular retro gaming MiSTer project.

See it in action in my latest video!

One of the strengths of the FPGA-based MiSTer is that it can send raw signals directly to CRT televisions without any pre-processing or filtering. For video games it recreates the console experience on a nearly 1:1 basis. I found playing 4k Blu-Rays on this core to now recreate the experience of the laserdiscs I watched on my CRT back in the 90s.

For this review, I used the SuperStation One MiSTer, which includes RCA composite outputs. This is the only MiSTer that has that capability built in – other MiSTers will only output to CRT televisions with a component RGB input (although there are adapters now for other connection types).

Access to this specific Plex core is currently available through Matija’s Mister Zine Patreon as a beta, with a public free release expected once the code is finalized. Future updates are slated to include Jellyfin compatibility and further interface refinements. Despite being in its beta stage, the current version is very functional and includes a variety of standard Plex features.

The interface allows for familiar navigation, such as a “Continue Watching” section that syncs with other Plex clients. During my testing with various files, including feature films and television series like *Star Trek: The Next Generation*, the core maintained the ability to resume playback from previous sessions and supported the playback of theme music during menu navigation. It also supports standard metadata features like “skip intro” and “skip credits” buttons.

Technically, the core outputs at 480i to the television, which results in an interlaced signal. Within the settings, users can cap the bit rate at 2 megabits per second, a limitation of the MiSTer hardware that remains sufficient for the resolution of a CRT. The core also includes tools for video geometry and cropping, which are sometimes necessary for adjusting the image to fit the unique overscan and display characteristics of older tube televisions. I did not need to adjust these settings on the two televisions I tested it on.

Because the MiSTer requires specific file formats and bit rates for stable playback, a Plex server with a Plex Pass and hardware transcoding capabilities is necessary. This is particularly true when using subtitles, as the core requires them to be “burned” into the video stream by the server. In practice, this process is efficient; using a server with hardware acceleration allows for smooth playback with minimal CPU utilization.

Additional customization options include the ability to filter the library to show only 4:3 aspect ratio content, matching the native format of most CRTs. Letterboxed content displays accurately on the CRT so I did not see a need to activate the 4:3 only option. The core also includes basic screen savers, such as a moving logo, to prevent image burn-in on older phosphor displays.

This project demonstrates the flexibility of the Plex API and the ongoing expansion of the MiSTer platform beyond traditional gaming. For those who have a TV set up for retro gaming, this development provides a streamlined method for integrating those displays into a modern home media ecosystem.

Gadget Haul 18! Another Eclectic Collection of Tech

It’s been a few months since my last Gadget Haul video but I finally accumulated enough useful stuff to do another one! My 18th haul video covers a wide gamut of useful tech, most of it relatively affordable.

Check out the video here! And find the complete set of covered items here on Amazon (compensated affiliate link).

One of the more distinctive items is the Monokaro display pin (compensated affiliate link). This is a wearable device featuring a 360×360 resolution touchscreen that can be pinned to clothing. It supports a variety of media formats, including static images, animated GIFs, and short videos. While the memory is somewhat limited—holding roughly 50 images or five GIFs—it functions well for identification or event organization. Using the accompanying app, users can upload content via Bluetooth, though transfer speeds for larger files can be slow. Battery life varies significantly depending on brightness levels, ranging from four hours at maximum intensity to 18 hours on the lowest setting. It charges via a standard USB-C port and even allows for image transfers between two pins without using the app as an intermediary.

For those interested in the technical health of their USB connections, the FNB-C2 cable tester (compensated affilate link) will give you a very detailed read-out of charging performance. When placed between a charger and a device, such as a smartphone, it measures real-time power draw and voltage. It includes an orientation sensor to keep the display readable and provides data on cable health through an e-marker reading utility. While the device is useful for monitoring power delivery, the physical design can be somewhat cumbersome when performing more extensive loop tests. It is most effective as a real-time monitor for ensuring a device is receiving the intended wattage from a power source.

Efficiency is also the focus of the Anker two-in-one charging cable (compensated affiliate link). This cable splits a single USB-C input into two outputs, using internal hardware to negotiate power distribution between devices. It is capable of supporting up to 140 watts, though the actual output depends on the connected power supply and the needs of the devices. For example, when two devices are connected to a 140 watt power supply, the first device can draw up to 112 watts while the second receives only 18 watts. This is a practical solution for travelers who want to charge a laptop and a phone simultaneously from a single power brick.

In the budget-friendly category, the Elefas H211 projector (compensated affiliate link) offers a 720p experience powered by the Roku operating system. The inclusion of a familiar, secure interface like Roku is a benefit, as it ensures compatibility with major streaming apps. However, this is a minimally viable product in terms of hardware. It lacks autofocus and keystone correction, and its low brightness level requires a completely dark room for a clear image. Furthermore, significant input latency makes it unsuitable for fast-paced gaming, though it remains a functional option for casual media consumption in dark environments. But given its low price point it works as expected.

Nostalgia drives gadget trends these days, and Hallmark has been cashing in with their retro gaming Keepsake Ornaments. The latest additions to my collection are these two replicas of the original PlayStation and the Xbox consoles (compensated affiliate links) include light-up features and the original boot sounds of each console. The PlayStation ornament plays the console’s iconic startup sound, while the Xbox version plays its original opener followed by the title music from Halo. These are detailed collectibles that serve a very specific niche of holiday decor.

Sticking with retro devices, Retro Fighters has expanded its line of game controllers with the Defender Pro and the Brawler 64 Pro (compensated affiliate link). These wireless controllers are designed to work with both modern hardware, like PCs and the Nintendo Switch, and the original consoles that inspired their design via included wireless dongles. The Brawler 64 Pro is particularly notable for its integration of a memory card slot and internal rumble emulation, which mimics the original Nintendo 64 hardware experience. Both controllers feature low-latency performance and include macro buttons and adjustable triggers. The build quality is consistent with high-quality third-party peripherals, offering modern ergonomics for vintage gaming systems.

Flashlight tech continues to diversify, and Wuben has introduced several new models. The Wuben X5 is a tactical-style flashlight capable of 1,300 lumens, featuring a built-in green laser and an ultraviolet light for inspection tasks. For everyday carry, the E2 is a compact keychain light that reaches 150 lumens, while the X3 features a rotatable head and wireless charging capabilities. These lights are constructed from metal or super high impact plastic and feel durable, though the X3 requires a specific charging base if wireless charging is not available (all links are compensated affiliate links).

For nature enthusiasts, Birdfy offers bird feeders (compensated affiliate link) equipped with integrated cameras and solar panels. These devices capture video of visiting wildlife and can store footage locally or in the cloud. While the AI identification features and extended video retention require a subscription, the basic functionality allows for 30 days of storage and live monitoring via a smartphone app. One advanced feature is the ability to stream the camera feed via RTMP, allowing users to broadcast their backyard bird activity to platforms like YouTube. Continuous streaming, however, requires a dedicated power source, as the battery and solar panel are designed for intermittent, motion-triggered recording.

The final item is a standalone 4k 60 UHD capture device from Cloner Alliance (compensated affiliate link). Unlike typical capture cards that require a computer, this unit records 4K 60fps video directly to an SD card or USB storage. It features an on-screen display and a remote control for configuration, allowing users to adjust bitrates and audio settings without a PC. While there is a slight latency of approximately 50 milliseconds on the HDMI passthrough, it is an effective tool for recording high-resolution game footage or camera feeds in a portable, standalone format.

See more of these gadget haul videos here!

Disclosure: I paid for the Anker cable with my own funds, the other items came in free of charge from their respective manufacturers. No other compensation was received and no one reviewed or approved this content prior to publication.

This Gadget Came With a Virus. They Asked Me Not to Tell You.

I recently shared an update regarding the Think Node M9 from Elecrow, a device I tested in my recent Meshtastic update. Shortly after that video was posted, I received an email from the company stating that the device contains a virus and must be returned. While the virus is not active on the device itself, it presents a risk if its internal SD card is removed and inserted into a Windows computer. While they responded appropriately to the issue, they also requested that I not talk about this issue on my channel. That’s not cool.

See more in my latest video.

The risk occurs when accessing the firmware on the SD card for updates. The malware identified is known as Sality. According to the Department of Justice, this malware turns an infected computer into a node on a peer-to-peer botnet. Once a computer is part of this network, it can be used for cryptocurrency theft or cyber attacks, often operating in the background without the user’s knowledge. Although the Department of Justice recently disrupted a significant portion of the Sality network, the presence of such software on a consumer device is a serious matter.

After sending the initial warning, Elecrow sent a follow-up email asking me not to discuss the situation publicly. Transparency is a necessary component of the relationship between manufacturers and the public, particularly as supply chain attacks become more frequent. These incidents often occur when companies utilize contract factories without maintaining rigorous quality control over the software and firmware being installed. If the factory’s duplication process is compromised, malware can be embedded into thousands of devices before they ever reach a consumer.

Elecrow is not the only manufacturer to face these challenges recently. Geekom, a producer of mini PCs, recently hosted an infected network driver on its website. The driver contained the Asruex malware, which is designed to steal credentials while remaining hidden from antivirus scanners. Like Elecrow, Geekom reportedly contacted the outlet that broke the story and requested its removal.

Similarly, the company Ace Magic shipped mini PCs with a backdoor known as win32 bladabindi embedded directly into the Windows recovery image. Reports indicated that AceMagic attempted to influence the narrative by offering incentives for the removal of negative reviews and requiring reviewers to submit content for approval prior to publication.

These hardware issues are part of a broader trend of supply chain vulnerabilities that extend into software. Attackers recently compromised the Notepad++ website to swap the official distribution with an infected version. In another instance, an open-source library called Axios was found to have an infected component. Because Axios is integrated into many other software packages, the malware spread to Windows, Linux, and Mac systems through standard updates from trusted sources.

Protecting a system in the age of AI requires a more proactive approach than ever before. Maintaining an up-to-date operating system and running frequent antivirus scans is essential, even when dealing with hardware or software from trusted hardware and software makers.

My Local AI Built a QuickBooks Replacement—and More !

I recently acquired a surplus Nvidia GPU from a data center and installed it in my home to run local artificial intelligence models. My objective was to determine if old hardware typically reserved for large-scale operations could be repurposed to create practical, cost-saving applications for personal and business use. By pairing the OpenCode harness with the Qwen 3.8 27B model, I have been able to develop several functional software tools that run entirely on my own hardware – including a Quickbooks Replacement !

Check it out in my latest local AI video!

One of the more significant projects involved developing a replacement for QuickBooks which in my opinion gouges small business customers like me. I found that exporting data from QuickBooks results in spreadsheets that are formatted in a way that is difficult to import into a competing product. In fact, most Quickbooks competitors don’t even offer history import as an option. However, by using the local AI model to analyze the exported data, I was able to rebuild my entire general ledger and chart of accounts and have them balance to the penny against Quickbooks.

I then had the model build a Node.js project which handles all of my transaction logic. It also synchronizes with my bank accounts through a service called SimpleFin that charges only $1.50 per month – a small fraction of what I was paying Intuit. To ensure the accuracy of the financial logic, I utilized a high-end frontier models from Claude and ChatGPT to perform a code and security review. This second set of eyes confirmed that the local model had correctly handled the transaction calculations and had only missed a few minor bugs. I also ran it alongside Quickbooks for a few weeks to make sure everything was being calculated properly.

I also applied this local AI setup to address a lack of transparency in local utility reporting. Following a storm, the power company’s outage map provided limited information unless a user drilled deep into the interface:

I used the Qwen model to identify where the raw data was stored on the power company’s website. In under an hour, it generated a PHP-based interactive map that provides more granular detail than the utility’s default interface. This was achieved without a public API; instead, the model analyzed the source code of the existing outage map and repackaged the information into a more accessible format.

Another app I developed is a utility to streamline the creation of chapter markers for my YouTube videos projects. Converting markers from Final Cut Pro into a format suitable for web descriptions previously required several manual steps. The local model produced a small application that automates this process just by dragging a Final Cut Pro XML file to the app. While it is a niche utility, it represents a significant reduction in the minor frictions that accumulate during a workday.

To test the model’s ability to handle more complex, native software development, I tasked it with building a native Mac Space Invaders clone coded in Swift. The model managed the coding and the compilation process, resulting in a functional game with sound effects and a complete instruction manual. While there were minor interruptions during the development process that required prompts to resume, the result demonstrated that local hardware can execute tasks that previously required a much larger cloud model.

The current state of local AI is comparable to the late 1970s and early 1980s, when personal computers first brought the capabilities of mainframes into the home. We are at a point where a 32GB GPU or a high-memory machine like the Mac Studio can handle sophisticated development tasks privately and without recurring subscription fees. As these models become more efficient, the ability to turn a specific idea into a working application becomes an increasingly accessible reality for home users, allowing for a more customized and efficient computing environment.

Mac Mini M6 as a Plex Server? Plus Other Mac Transcoding Improvements (sponsored post)

In a follow-up to my 16GB Mac Mini review last week, I tested the Mac Mini M6’s viability as a Plex media server. Plex recently released several updates for the Mac version of its server software that specifically target hardware efficiency and new codec support.

See how it works in my latest monthly sponsored Plex video!

One recent addition to the Mac server is hardware tone mapping. This feature allows the server to take an HDR video and convert it to SDR in real time using the hardware transcoder. During my testing with a Blu-Ray 4K HDR film, I transcoded from a direct stream at 150+ megabits per second to a 1080p stream at 10 megabits per second. The system maintained HEVC compression throughout the process, which resulted in consistent visual quality at a significantly lower bit rate. While this was running, the color remained accurate, matching the performance of other dedicated hardware tone mapping devices.

Monitoring the system resources showed that the 16-gigabyte Mac Mini handles these workloads with minimal impact on the CPU and RAM. A single 4K transcode required approximately 700 megabytes of memory. Even when I initiated a second simultaneous 4K transcode with tone mapping, the memory pressure remained low and CPU utilization did not increase to a level that would hinder other tasks.

Subtitle burn-in has also been integrated into the hardware transcoding pipeline on the Mac. Subtitle burn-in is required for playback devices that cannot overlay subtitles natively. Traditionally, burning subtitles into a video file can be a resource-intensive process. I tested this by enabling subtitles on a 4K Blu-ray rip while transcoding. While there was a slight uptick in system activity, it managed two concurrent sessions of hardware-transcoded subtitle burn-in without performance degradation.

The update also introduces AV1 hardware decoding, a feature compatible with M3 processors and newer. I tested a 4K60 video encoded in AV1 and observed the system successfully decoding the file in hardware and transcoding it to HEVC for browser playback while the other two transcodes were still ongoing. Although older Apple Silicon chips like the M1 and M2 do not support this specific AV1 feature, they still benefit from the expanded HEVC support and general hardware transcoding improvements included in this release.

The efficiency of these chips allows the Mac Mini to function as a primary desktop while serving a media library to a moderate number of users. The hardware remains quiet even when the active cooling system is engaged during heavy transcoding sessions. With these software optimizations, the Mac Mini platform, from the older M4 models to the current M6, serves as a functional and energy-efficient option for media management.

Disclosure: This was a paid sponsorship from Plex, however they did not review or approve this content prior to uploading.