Apple buys HopStop transit app to beef up Maps

As pointed out by multiple outlets and tweeted by several reporters, Apple has acquired an online navigation startup HopStop.com to improve its troubled Maps offering, Bloomberg just reported. HopStop makes a free iPhone andAndroidtransit app that features detailed subway, bus, train, taxi, walking and even biking directions. This is exactly the kind of data Apple’s Maps need to become a viable alternative to Google Maps. The HopStop software also features real-time transit information via the HopStop Live service, the official transit maps, nearby station search and station-to-station schedules in over 600 cities throughout the US, Canada, Europe, Australia and New Zealand, including 140 major metropolitan areas…...

June 14, 2025 · 3 min · 556 words · Angela Mccormick

Apple's Satellite-Based Emergency SOS Feature Goes Live Later This Month

Apple’s Satellite-Based Emergency SOS Feature Goes Live Later This Month Modern flagship smartphones have become so capable that the room for feature improvements seems to be shrinking with each year. Take the case of Apple’s previous-generation iPhone models, which do not look too different from the company’s latest iPhone 14 offerings. Things have reached a stage where Apple found it okay to use last year’s Apple A15 Bionic processor on theiPhone 14and the iPhone 14 Plus, meaning the newer A16 Bionic chip is reserved for the Pro models....

June 14, 2025 · 3 min · 464 words · Michele Bell

Asteroid City, Wes Anderson, and the Art of Reusing Actors

Wes Anderson is one of the most recognizable directors in Hollywood. And not just from his pastel-colored suits and delightfully flowing hairstyle. Over the past three decades, Wes Anderson’s movies have taken him from a curious cult filmmaker and turned him into a renowned auteur, with his most recent film,Asteroid City, in theaters now. He’s created an aesthetic that’s so well identified with his name that YouTubers make parody films, andAI can recreate Harry Potterin his style....

June 14, 2025 · 5 min · 898 words · Heather Scott

Basters Up! Your Complete Guide to Absolutely Nail Thanksgiving

On your mark, get set, give thanks! After last year’spared-down celebrations, many of us are feeling eager to pull out all the stops on Thanksgiving 2021. Bring on all things Turkey Day: Theturkey trots! The soups! Thestuffings! Thepies! Uncle Ed’s political diatribes we didn’t have to hear last year! (OK, maybe notallthings…) That said, it’s understandable if you’re feeling a bit rusty on your hosting skills. Jumping back into not just socializing but having an entire group of people at your home may seem like a prescription forstress, not celebration....

June 14, 2025 · 10 min · 2083 words · Colleen Moore

Beast of Winter Pillars of Eternity 2 Deadfire Review

Beast of Winter DLCis first paid downloadable content forPillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire. Pillars of Eternity 2 is an amazing game so I expected much from this DLC, and Beast of Winter adds new locations, items and aCompanion, while introducing us to the godRymrgandandHel, his own dimension. Note: that the level cap was not raised for this DLC, and thatthis review contains some story spoilers. Genre: Classic RPG Developed by: Obsidian Entertainment Published by: Versus Evil Release Date: 11-06-2025 Platforms: PC Price at time of Review: $9....

June 14, 2025 · 6 min · 1178 words · Devin Johnson

Best AirPods Pro 2 skins for your USB-C case in 2024

There’s more ways than ever now to express yourself, especially when it comes to tech. One of the obvious ways to express yourself is through your phone case, phone background or stickers put on the back of your laptop. However, one device you may not think to personalize is your AirPods. If you’re looking for a unique way to showcase your personality or just want to add some color to your life then you need to buy a “skin” for your AirPods Pro....

June 14, 2025 · 4 min · 809 words · Brent May

Best Early Defense Setup in Factorio 2.0

InFactorio: Space Age, you begin your playthrough as you normally would, as most of the DLC content shows up after launching your rockets to space, continuing the player’s journey. Everyone has to deal with those annoying Biters and Spitters while expanding their base. Some might even restrict you from getting some important early resources because of their location. Here are some tips on getting an early defensive setup to deal with these Biters and Spitters in Factorio 2....

June 14, 2025 · 3 min · 547 words · Antonio Lopez

Best monitor 2024: Top displays for office use, gaming and creatives

It’s worth having a large, clearmonitorwith crisp visuals to make working at your computer all day a pleasurable experience. The best monitors are critical to any setup because their expansive real estate provides ample space for multiple open windows to improve productivity and add rich, vivid colours when watchingmoviesor shows. Most people work more efficiently with two monitors, and it’s worth getting a larger second one if you have alaptoporall-in-oneto increase your screen space for multitasking....

June 14, 2025 · 12 min · 2408 words · Joshua Todd

Best smart fridges 2024

Some smart tech feels like it’s smart just for the sake of it. When the concept of theInternet of Thingsfirst appeared, one of the most popular examples was of a smart fridge that would be able to tell you when you’d run out of milk. Is that something that’s really solving a pressing need? Read more:The best new Alexa devices: AI-powered TVs, fridges, mirrors and more Fast-forward a few years to now though, and plenty of top-line fridges being released have smart tech in them, so it’s clearly a trend that consumers have got on board with over time....

June 14, 2025 · 9 min · 1742 words · Justin Trevino

Best Video Games For Family Night

Gaming is an extremely varied industry, with different types of games catering to different audiences, demographics, and categories of players. From hardcore single-player titles likeElden Ringand competitiveFPS shooterslike Counter-Strike 2 to casual entries like Stardew Valley and creativity-focused games like Minecraft, there is something for everyone. 10 Best Cross-Platform Co-Op Games you’re able to play these games with your friends regardless of which platform they’re on. Families are also covered thanks to these games that are the perfect picks for a game night, with each entry allowing local co-op for some lighthearted but chaotic fun....

June 14, 2025 · 6 min · 1174 words · Mrs. Ashley Jones

Biomutant Confirmed To Be Still in Development

Developer Experiment 101 released a message today reaffirming that Biomutant is still in development. Biomutant Confirmed To Be Still in Development Earlier today Embracer Group, the parent company of publisherTHQ Nordicreleased their Q3 interim report. One of the highlighted statements was aboutBiomutant, which was shared by THQ, about when they will be announcing the release of the game. With 20 people currently working on it has taken some time to finalised according to THQ....

June 14, 2025 · 3 min · 450 words · Kayla Barker

Brandless claims its new Pro Blender is just as powerful as a Vitamix

It’s impossible to understate the importance of protecting the environment in today’s world. In fact, the idea is so prevalent that even cookware companies have taken notice. Meet Brandless, a company first launched in 2017 under the idea that products should be high-quality and durable. After all, if something lasts for a long time, it’s environmental impact is lessened. Now Brandless has introduced the Brandless Pro Blender, an appliance the company claims is onpar with even the Vitamix....

June 14, 2025 · 2 min · 363 words · Joshua Rhodes

Casio GSW-H1000 is its first Wear OS G-Shock smartwatch

Casio has announced its first G-Shock smartwatch powered byGoogle’s Wear OS platform. The GSW-H1000 is part of the G-Squad Pro range from the company and it comes with a range of sports features, along with the shock-resistant and rugged build the G-Squad Pro range is associated with. There are three models to choose from, with all offering a dual-layer display that combines a monochrome, always-on LCD screen for time display with a colour LCD screen for maps and sensor data, as well as notifications, likeCasio’s other smartwatches....

June 14, 2025 · 2 min · 251 words · Louis Wright