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Early reviews say the MacBook Neo redefines the budget laptop

Apple's $599 MacBook Neo arrives with a premium aluminum build, bright display, solid A18 Pro performance, and battery life that punches well above its price. Reviewers largely agree it resets expectations for what a budget laptop can be, despite the evident trade-offs that remind you how Apple kept costs down. Don't miss our editorial on the Neo for insight into the industry implications beyond the device itself.

By Ivan Franco, March 10, 2026, 11:47 AM

Car Tech Electronics

Electric air taxis will enter US skies this summer under FAA pilot

eVTOLs prepare for real-world trials across eight states

Forward-looking: The next major revolution in aviation may not happen at 35,000 feet, but a few hundred feet above city streets. This June, a new class of aircraft – electric and hybrid models capable of taking off vertically like helicopters but flying like airplanes – will begin limited operations under a federal pilot program in selected parts of US airspace.

Full story By Skye Jacobs, March 10, 2026, 11:08 AM 11 comments

Electronics

Sonos unveils two new speakers: the portable Play and cheaper Era 100 SL

The Play sits between the Roam 2 and Move 2, while the Era 100 SL drops the mic

By Rob Thubron, March 10, 2026, 10:17 AM

AI Tech Culture

Students are learning to write for AI detectors, not for humans

AI checkers wanted less cheating, but they got blander writing instead

By Skye Jacobs, March 10, 2026, 9:46 AM 19 comments

Software The Web

How to download YouTube videos for offline viewing, including full playlists

Download videos from YouTube, TikTok, Twitch, and more

Steam delivered 100 exabytes of data last year, about 274 petabytes per day

The platform's data traffic has grown roughly 30% each year since 2020

By Daniel Sims, March 10, 2026, 9:18 AM

Hardware

Intel launches Bartlett Lake CPUs with all P-cores for embedded applications

The 11-SKU lineup targets robotics, automation, and 5G edge deployments with predictable timing

By Skye Jacobs, March 10, 2026, 8:53 AM

Tech Deals Software

Microsoft Office is down to $35 for a lifetime license

TL;DR: If you're looking for a powerful productivity suite without paying any subscriptions, Office 2021 is now available for just $35. All the essential tools you need for work or personal projects at over 80% off the regular price.

Full story By TechSpot Deals

AI The Web

Oversight Board urges Meta to toughen rules on AI-generated content and deepfakes

The board wants clearer rules, broader labels, and stronger detection

By Rob Thubron, March 10, 2026, 8:22 AM

Hardware Apple

Apple could expand lineup to offer "Ultra" versions of iPhone, MacBook, and AirPods

A foldable iPhone, touchscreen MacBook, and AI-powered AirPods could headline the push

By Daniel Sims, March 10, 2026, 7:47 AM

AI Industry

One in four CEOs say AI is a bubble but will continue investing

One in five CEOs also expect job cuts this year

Editor's take: The more money companies spend on AI, the larger fears grow that this is a bubble ready to burst. But for most CEOs, it's more important to be seen spending big on the technology than taking a more cautious approach.

Full story By Rob Thubron, March 10, 2026, 7:02 AM 12 comments

Hardware Electronics

Solar-powered laptops are back, and this one is built for the field

Oukitel's RG14-P solar-charging laptop aims for off-grid productivity

By Skye Jacobs, March 10, 2026, 6:15 AM

Stop the Slop: 8 Tools That Clean Up Windows 11

FEATURE By Howard Wen, March 10, 2026, 5:09 AM TechSpot Software

If Windows 11 feels cluttered with AI features, ads, and background services, these popular free tools help strip out the bloat, disable telemetry, and give you more control over the OS.

Gaming Industry

Battlefield 6's biggest launch ever couldn't stop EA from cutting staff

Layoffs hit Criterion, DICE, Ripple Effect, and Motive as EA reshapes its live-service shooter

By Skye Jacobs, March 10, 2026, 12:03 AM 10 comments

Gaming Microsoft

Satya Nadella denies Xbox death rumors, insists Microsoft is "long on gaming"

The next Xbox may still revolve around AI and PC-style hardware

By Kishalaya Kundu, March 9, 2026, 3:39 PM 25 comments

Car Tech Tech Culture

YouTuber built a car powered by 500 discarded vapes, and drove it 18 miles

The takeaway: A small car parked in a rainy British driveway might seem an unlikely place for a battery revolution. Yet that's where engineer and YouTuber Chris Doel has built the world's first vape-powered vehicle – a working proof of concept that challenges both the limits of lithium-ion recycling and society's growing mountain of electronic waste.

Full story By Skye Jacobs, March 9, 2026, 2:55 PM 10 comments

Mobile Apple

iPad Air M4 gets reviewed: More RAM, faster chip, same price

The iPad Air M4 may still be the best tablet for most people. For the same price as before, you get bumped to the M4 chip, 12GB of RAM, and Wi-Fi 7, making Apple's mid-range tablet faster and more capable. Reviewers say the Air offers much of the power and capability of the iPad Pro at a more accessible price.

By Ivan Franco, March 9, 2026, 2:32 PM

Tech Culture Electronics

United Airlines may now remove passengers who play audio without headphones

Inconsiderate behavior should not be tolerated

By Alfonso Maruccia, March 9, 2026, 1:43 PM 28 comments

Apple Mobile

iPhone 17e reviews: two key upgrades refine Apple's entry-level formula

Early reviews of the iPhone 17e describe it as a solid refinement of Apple's $599 phone. Powered by the A19 chip with 256GB of storage, and the long-awaited addition of MagSafe. While some reviewers say it's still a bit pricey, most agree the 17e delivers a no-frills entry point into the Apple ecosystem.

By Ivan Franco, March 9, 2026, 12:16 PM

Hardware Tech Culture

Prototype 3D printer uses throttled ASICs to mine Bitcoin and heat the printing bed

The prototype uses its print bed as a heatsink instead of wasting ASIC heat

By Rob Thubron, March 9, 2026, 10:57 AM

Car Tech Tech Culture

Uber expands female driver preferences in the US following safety concerns

Giving women more control over who they ride with

By Shawn Knight, March 9, 2026, 10:25 AM 18 comments

Hardware Gaming

Valve insists Steam Machine launch is still on track for this year

Company updates earlier post to confirm all three new devices will ship in 2026

By Rob Thubron, March 9, 2026, 8:16 AM 25 comments

AI Industry

This startup wants to build data centers inside floating offshore wind platforms

The design combines offshore wind, seawater cooling, and built-in space for servers

By Rob Thubron, March 9, 2026, 6:48 AM 7 comments

The Web Tech Culture

VPN downloads surge in Australia after age checks hit porn sites, online games, and social media

The new rules affect everything from GTA Online to Pornhub

By Rob Thubron, March 9, 2026, 5:19 AM 11 comments

Apple Hardware

Here are the 15 products Apple just discontinued as new iPhones, iPads, and Macs arrive

Out with the old, in with the new

By Zo Ahmed, March 8, 2026, 2:16 PM 9 comments

Electronics Science

Experimental lithium-metal battery delivers 700 Wh/kg and works in extreme cold

New electrolyte maintains high performance even at -50 °C

By Skye Jacobs, March 8, 2026, 12:40 PM 10 comments

Industry Gaming

Nintendo sues the US government over "unlawful" Trump-era tariffs

Dozens of companies are suing for nearly $200 billion in tariff refunds, with interest

By Daniel Sims, March 8, 2026, 9:05 AM 52 comments

The MacBook Neo is a $500 Wake-Up Call for the Entire PC Industry

FEATURE By Julio Franco, March 8, 2026, 7:23 AM TechSpot Industry

Apple's $599 MacBook Neo isn't for you. But it might be the most important laptop announcement in years - and the budget Windows market should be paying close attention.