After reporting alleged exploitation and rebuilding their lives in NZ, two migrant workers now face deportation — unless the minister intervenes. Read...

After a childhood of abuse and the heartbreak of losing her son, all she wanted was love. Now friends are asking why officers turned up with guns the night she was fatally shot. Read...

Getting a bit of extra storage space is easier than ever nowadays because these drives are so much cheaper to get. The price of the speedy Samsung T7, for instance, is down 27%, which means you can get 1TB of storage space for $80. That’s the lowest it’s been this year! This portable SSD is not only going to give you a ton of storage space to use as you please, but it will also make transferring files a very easy job. With speeds of up to 1,050 MB/s, you can move large files in no time, be it movies, vids you shot, raw images, and so on. Since it comes with a Type-C port, it’s going to be easy to connect this thing to any of your devices, including gaming consoles. Speaking of which, the Samsung T7 is a great option for storing games and game data, but you can also hook it up to your camera and record 4K videos directly without worrying about lost frames. The Samsung T7 is super tiny and will fit your pocket just fine. The drive has a rugged aluminum casing, so your data will be well protected against bumps and drops. Still, this is an uber-light device, so you won’t complain about carrying it around at any point. If you’re not sure if the Samsung T7 is a perfect fit, here are some great alternatives on sale right now: If you want double the transfer speed, the Samsung T9 is on sale for $110 (21% off from $140) If you’d rather get a model with IP65 water and dust resistance, the 1TB SanDisk Extreme is down to $103.90 (20% off from $130) In case you’d rather have a portable SSD that’s as small as a thumb drive, the SK Hynix Tube T31 is only $60 right now (25% off from $80) All that said, getting the 1TB Samsung T7 for $80 is a spectacular deal for the portability and performance on offer — especially since this is the lowest price we’ve seen in the past year. It`s time to upgrade your external storageBuy now at Amazon Read...

It seems like Windows users can’t catch a break when it comes to system updates these days. Just recently we’ve seen disappearing SSD issues and PC recovery problems. Now, the latest security update for Windows 11 is causing “severe stuttering, lag, and choppy audio/video” in streaming apps like OBS. That’s not according to users (though they’re saying it too), but rather a direct quote from Microsoft. The company says so on the issue tracker for Windows updates, which is getting a lot of use as of late. To be clear, we’re talking about apps that record and stream the PC itself, like Open Broadcast Software and NDI Tools. As far as we, Microsoft, and BleepingComputer (who spotted the official statement) know, this issue won’t make your YouTube, Netflix, or Disney+ streams stutter. The affected Windows build is 26100.4946, after the KB5063878 update. Microsoft also shares a tip for NDI Tools users recommended by the developer, but a more permanent solution might take a while. “We are investigating this issue,” says the post, “and will provide more information when it is available.” So if you see your favorite game streamer looking a little more haggard than usual this week, now you know why. Read...

Today, I’ve found an incredible deal on one of the best higher-end gaming laptops you can get if you prioritize value. This HP Omen features a stellar configuration and a gorgeous display at a fantastic price—get it now for just $1,250 at Best Buy, a whopping $330 off its $1,580 MSRP. I’m not kidding when it comes to this laptop’s powerhouse performance for the price. It’s running on an AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX processor, a spacious 32GB of fast DDR5 RAM, and the superb RTX 5060 graphics card that just came out this year, unlocking access to Nvidia’s DLSS 4, ray tracing, and other gaming features. Throw in a 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD for fast boot times, quick file transfers, and tons of space for apps, games, and everything else, and it’s an absolute dream. And this HP Omen 16 doesn’t disappoint when it comes to visuals either. You’re looking at a 16-inch IPS display with a crisp 1920×1200 resolution and a speedy 144Hz refresh rate—all of this translates into a great gaming experience during boss fights and other action-packed scenes, plus it’s also great for streaming Netflix and YouTube. This thing is packing ports, too. On the left side, you get USB-C video and a high-speed USB-A and a 3.5mm headset jack. On the right side, another high-speed USB-A. Then along the back, another high-speed USB-A plus HDMI 2.1 and a LAN port, plus the laptop’s smart AC charger port. The HP Omen 16 is a bargain for $1,250, so grab it fast at Best Buy while you still can if you’re interested in a high-performance gaming laptop at a fantastic price. But if you’re on a tighter budget, check out our favorite gaming laptops under $1,000. Save $330 on this Ryzen-powered RTX 5060 gaming laptopBuy now from Best Buy Read...

Blink and you may have missed it, but Google gave us a peek at what sure looks like a new smart speaker during its Made by Google event on Wednesday.  Was it a leak? Not really. A “leaked” product is one that’s been mistakenly revealed, whereas the speaker we saw during Google’s Pixel event got a clear supporting role, with F1 driver Lando Norris cheerfully chatting with the device. Google meant for us to notice the new and unannounced smart speaker.  So, what do we know about this little gray (or porcelain?) speaker? Here’s a quick breakdown.  Google’s new Gemini speaker: What we know for sure  It exists  That may sound obvious, but so often with rumored or “leaked” new products, we’re in the land of pure conjecture. In this case (and as I just mentioned), Google clearly intended for us to notice its new speaker.   In other words, it’s the real deal. A new Google smart speaker is happening.  It’s got Gemini inside  F1’s Lando Norris was chatting with Google’s new speaker during a demonstration of Gemini Live, a Gemini mode where you can have freewheeling conversations with the AI model about any subject you want.   That’s all in the way of saying this new Google speaker runs on Gemini, and besides its Gemini Live capabilities, it’s virtually certain to boast Gemini-level powers in terms of Google Home smart device control, too.  It has a squashed spherical shape  From what we’ve seen of the speaker during the pre-recorded Pixel presentation, the Google speaker appears roughly the size of an Amazon Echo Dot or an Apple HomePod mini.   But rather than a perfect spherical shape (the HomePod mini does have a chopped-off top), the Google speaker has a slightly squished shape, giving it a unique look as far as big-name smart speakers go. I kind of like it.  It has a light ring around its base  Here’s a detail about the new Google speaker that’s a bit surprising: It borrows a design cue from its biggest rival.   Encircling the device’s base is a telltale light ring, striking similar to the light ring we’ve seen on Amazon’s Echo speakers. The light ring on the Google speaker replaces the four LED dots that represented Google Assistant activity on older Google Nest smart speakers.  That illuminated ring is something of a signature detail as far as Alexa-powered Echo devices are concerned, so it’s a bit of an eyebrow-raiser that Google chose to poach it.   It has a fabric covering  Like Google’s previous smart speakers—and, in fact, other competing speakers like the Amazon Echo, Echo Dot, Apple HomePod, and HomePod mini, the new Google speaker appears to have a fabric covering, perfect for giving it a warmer, tactile look that fits in with your home decor. No surprise there.  Google’s new Gemini speaker: What we’ve heard but don’t know for sure  It might come in four colors  According to Android Headlines’ sources, the new Google speaker will come in four colors: Obsidian, Porcelain, Jade, and an unnamed reddish hue. The speaker we saw in the Pixel video might be the Porcelain one (the actual speaker looked more grayish to me, but I’m not the best with colors).   Along with Amazon and Apple, Google traditionally releases its smart speakers in a variety of colors, so this particular rumor sounds credible.  It will likely support different Gemini voices  Again, Android Headlines is predicting you’ll have your pick of different Gemini voices on the speaker, just as you have on a Pixel phone or the Gemini app.  It’s hard to imagine that the new Google speaker wouldn’t have this option, but we still don’t know for sure yet.  You might be able to connect the new Google speaker to the Google TV Streamer Just as the Apple HomePod and HomePod mini can both be used as speakers for the Apple TV 4K, the new Google speaker will be pairable with the Google TV Streamer, good for delivering “spatial surround-sound to your living room,” Android Headlines says.  That’s still not confirmed, but again, sounds about right.  It might double as a Matter hub  When I first caught sight of the new Google speaker in the Pixel video, I wondered whether it would have Matter capabilities. After all, the Amazon Echo, Apple HomePod, and HomePod mini all work as Thread border routers that connect Thread-enabled Matter devices to the internet and each other. So why not the new Google speaker, too?   According to Android Headlines, the new Google speaker will indeed “double as a hub that supports Matter,” although the publication stopped short of saying it’s a Thread border router like the HomePod.  It could be called the “Google Home Speaker”  With the exception of the original Google Home speaker, most of Google’s smart speakers and displays—including the Google Nest Mini and Nest Audio—have arrived with “Nest” branding as a result of Google’s 2014 acquisition of Nest Labs.   But Google seems to be slowly backing away from the Nest brand. The last Nest device released by Google was the second-generation Nest Hub display, which came out nearly four years ago.   So now we have Android Headlines calling the new speaker the “Google Home Speaker,” which tracks with the branding of Google’s streaming player-slash-smart home hub, the Google TV Streamer from last year.  Google’s new Gemini speaker: What we don’t know  How much it will cost  Looking at Google’s existing range of smart speakers, the Google Nest Mini goes for $49, while the larger Nest Audio with upgraded sound costs $99.99.  So, how much will the new Google speaker retail for? We don’t know for sure and there are no leaks on the subject, so all we can do is guess.   Personally, I can’t imagine the new speaker costing any more than the Nest Audio, and I’m reasonably sure it will sell for at least as much as the Mini.   Now, if the Google speaker is a Matter hub and it acts as Thread border router, that would put it in the same league as the similarly equipped Amazon Echo and Apple HomePod mini, both of which cost $99.99. So that’s my guess for the Google Home Speaker (if that’s indeed what it’s called): 99 bucks, give or take.  When it will arrive  As with pricing, there are no hard facts or credible rumors about a release date for the new Google speaker, but we can make an educated guess.  With rare exception, Google has announced its latest smart devices during a Made by Google event in the fall. This event generally happens in October or thereabouts, so I think we can expect the new Google speaker to arrive shortly before Halloween.  This news story is part of TechHive’s in-depth coverage of the best smart speakers. Read...

You’ve had a rough week. You deserve some time to relax, chill out, maybe watch a random person create a gaming PC made entirely from hand-cut cardboard. And I don’t just mean installing PC components into a cardboard box—rather, this entire project is an elaborate and nerdy take on papercraft in the weirdest and most wonderful way. Earlier this month, a Reddit poster shared a two-minute video of a PC build… or at least an approximation of one, where almost every single component is lovingly simulated with hand-cut cardboard. The case is cardboard, the motherboard is cardboard, the graphics card is cardboard, even the (working!) CPU fan is cardboard. There are a few metal screws and brackets, and I’m guessing the power supply is only covered in cardboard, as that cardboard fan really spins and there are some actual RGB elements on the cardboard RAM. Not to mention that almost every single component is themed after the Ineffa character from Genshin Impact. Not really my thing, but it’s not like I can throw stones here. The attention to detail is staggering. I’m not sure who made the original video (it may be the Reddit poster spotted by UFD Tech), but I was blown away when I saw that the cardboard CPU is held into its socket with a little tension bar. The cardboard hard drive—yes, in addition to the SSD, a hard drive that’s realistically installed into its own bay—has visible platters and an actuator arm. This is a labor of love by someone who’s really obsessed with papercraft, PC hardware components, and… hang on, let me do a little fan wiki reading… a fantasy robot maid. To finish the video off, the creator adds in a cardboard CRT monitor. Bravo, strange person, bravo. This is the perfect way to wind me down for the weekend. Give it a watch, will ya? Read...

If you want a decently powerful PC that won’t cost an arm and a leg, you have to look at getting a mini PC. It’s a better bang for your buck than a similarly priced laptop, yet way more affordable (and smaller) than a traditional desktop PC. Right now, you can get a GMKtec M2 Pro mini PC for just $420 on Amazon (was $640) with Prime. If you don’t have Prime, just start a free 30-day Prime trial to score this deal! With an Intel Core i7-1195G7 processor and a chunky 32GB of RAM, this machine will breeze through your work tasks, numerous browser tabs, streaming content, Windows 11, and more with ease. The 1TB SSD is also fast and offers lots of storage space for all your apps, photos, and videos. Connectivity is also surprisingly good, with triple 4K@60Hz support via double HDMI and a USB-C video port. You also get four high-speed USB-A ports that are great for storage drives and peripherals, plus a 2.5G LAN port and a 3.5mm audio jack. It also has built-in support for Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2, and it can mount to any VESA-compatible monitor. This mini PC is tiny yet performant at a fantastic price. Get the GMKtec M2 Pro for just $420 before this exclusive deal expires! Don’t have Prime? Remember you can sign up for a 30-day free trial to unlock this special price and score this awesome mini PC for $220 off! Save 34% on this Core i7 mini PC with 32GB RAM and triple 4K supportBuy now at Amazon Read...

A couple years ago, I finally said goodbye to my old bucket of a car and dove back into debt with a new one. Besides the stability and peace of mind that come with a fresh-out-of-the-factory car, what I really hoped for was that I’d be able to properly enjoy Spotify while driving. And I could… except my entertainment system was a wired model, which meant I had to plug in my phone every time. That got annoying fast. See, while my car technically has Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, it doesn’t do it wirelessly. I have to plug in with a cable and wait for it all to come alive. Sure, it works… but it’s also annoying. Gabriela Vatu / Foundry Fortunately, I searched around and eventually found a little gadget that fixes my issue for me—a wireless adapter that only cost me $50. That might seem like a lot, but I decided it was reasonable after some price comparisons and realizing how much convenience it would afford me on a day-to-day basis. I’m talking about the CarlinKit 5.0, which is small, out of the way, and works with a wide range of cars. I love how easy it was to set up. I just had to plug it into my car’s USB port, turn on my phone’s Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and connect it to the wireless adapter. In a snap, I had instant access to my car’s entertainment system (either Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, depending on what phone you have). It literally took only minutes. Gabriela Vatu / Foundry These days, I forget I even have it—it’s that seamless. I just plop down into my car and my phone automatically connects to the CarlinKit, launching Android Auto with Waze and Spotify. It’s been 2.5 years and it’s still one of the best things I’ve bought for my car. It’s reliable, it’s effective, and it doesn’t overheat (which my phone used to do when I had to plug it in directly). Maybe my phone’s battery drains a bit faster via wireless, but that’s not a big deal since I can always plug it in and charge via my car if necessary. Where to get it CarlinKit 5.0 Wireless Adapter Best Prices Today: $54.48 at Amazon The only issue I’ve had with the CarlinKit? Every few weeks or so, it acts up and I have to give it the good ol’ unplug-and-plug-it-back-in maneuver. There’s also a spot a few miles from my house where there’s enough interference to kill my phone-to-adapter connection until I pass through. These are inconveniences, but minor ones. Neither is enough to ever get me to give up this wireless Android Auto adapter. Gabriela Vatu / Foundry If you have a wired Android Auto or Apple CarPlay setup and you hate plugging in every time, I highly recommend the CarlinKit 5.0. The Motorola Sound MA1 and AAWireless Two were also on my shortlist, but those only work with Android Auto. Ultimately, I picked the CarlinKit since I might get an iPhone one day and wanted to ensure future compatibility. Turn your car`s Android Auto/Apple CarPlay wireless for just $50Buy now at Amazon Read...

The streaming industry has seen a series of price hikes from its major players in the past year. Read...