Upscayl is an open-source tool for enlarging lower resolution images. It uses local AI models to upscale and sharpen images, adding believable detail instead of just stretching pixels. It runs entirely offline on your own GPU, and runs on Windows, Mac and Linux, with batch processing built in. For more useful tools, check out TechSpot's Essential Apps feature.
TL;DR: If you're looking for a powerful productivity suite without paying for any monthly subscriptions, Office 2021 is now available for just $32. All the essentials you need for work or personal projects at 80% off the regular price.
Even the most trusted name on the list was backed by just 35% of respondents
Connecting the dots: Is it surprising to know that CEOs – the profession most likely to attract or suit individuals with psychopathic or sociopathic traits – aren't trusted to act responsibly when it comes to AI? A new study has confirmed that this is especially true among younger people, who have a particular distrust of executives at Palantir.
The neoclouds are burning cash by the billion. Nvidia just lined up the money to keep them building
Why it matters: Nvidia has quietly assembled every piece of a cloud giant, and it doesn't even need to own the buildings. That is the theory making the rounds, and once you see it laid out, the last two years stop looking like a chip company having a very good run and start looking like a plan. The financing arrangement Nvidia signed this month with BlackRock, Goldman Sachs, and four other Wall Street heavyweights, aimed at funneling more than $500 billion of outside capital into AI data centers, would be the last piece clicking into place. Most outlets filed it under the now usual "more AI money" headline, but there is a more interesting read.
Finally, a messaging app with built-in bird-related failure
WTF?! Have you ever marveled at the lightning speeds of modern communications and thought, "I wish this wasn't so fast"? Probably not, but for anyone who doesn't want to resort to posting letters, there's a new app that replicates the message-carrying speed of a carrier pigeon. Adding further realism to the whole thing, there's a small chance that your virtual bird will get lost or die while traveling to its destination, so don't send anything too important.
Dell's 2026 XPS 13 earns praise for its compact aluminum design, 120Hz touch display, and strong battery life at a $699 starting price. The entry-level model's 8GB of RAM is a compromise, with some reviewers recommending the 16GB upgrade while still keeping the price under $1,000.
Audacity remains one of the easiest ways to record, edit, clean up, and export audio without paying for a full production suite. It handles everything from quick trims and format conversions to podcasts, noise reduction, and basic mastering, with support for Windows, Mac, and Linux. It's also one of our Essential Apps for Windows and macOS.