If you've ever used a mesh Wi-Fi system, you've probably noticed that the satellite nodes usually have a spare Ethernet port. It is tempting to use that port to attach a NAS. After all, it seems like a good way to get your NAS connected without running a cable across the floor or through a wall.

Physical media has been dying quietly for years, and most people didn't fight it because streaming was just easier. Buying a digital copy felt like the same thing, just without the disc. The problem is that it isn't the same thing at all, and it's not just about ownership; it's about the quality that we're all losing out on.

When I first tried out Google Drive, it changed everything. Being able to share files and collaborate on documents with others so easily was a complete game-changer, and it made us all so much more productive.

From durability to cameras and battery life, here’s how the premium foldable phones stack up.

Despite its price, more people who don’t use tech the way I do should own this iPhone.

Should you get AppleCare+ or AppleCare One? We explain the difference in this post.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said there are two gaming controllers in the works.

If you have a USB port on the back of your router and don't know what to do with it, try some of these straightforward options.

Myles McCormick / Financial Times:
President Trump dismisses calls for an AI slowdown, saying “you have a lot of negative forces that are bringing it up that shouldn't be bringing it up”  —  President denounces demands for regulation as existential fears over technology move to the centre of US politics

Katie Roof / Business Insider:
Source: Anthropic has selected the Nasdaq for its potential IPO  —  - Anthropic has chosen Nasdaq for its upcoming IPO, following SpaceX's recent listing on the exchange  — Nasdaq's tech IPO success continues, challenging NYSE's historical dominance in large listings.

We’re at a fortunate moment: microcontrollers available at modest prices are edging into the capability level previously reserved for full-fat systems and can, through emulation, run software beyond classic 8-bit home computers, consoles, or old arcade games. A project we’ve been watching for a while is tiny386, an emulator for ESP32 boards that provides a 386 PC with just enough 486 and 586 instructions enabled to run a modern Linux kernel. Now we’re pleased to note that this platform is making it to the RP2350, with ports for both the FRANK emulation platform and the Waveshare Pi Zero boards. You can now have a 32-bit PC with all the peripherals, including VGA and DVI/HDMI, for the cost of an inexpensive development board.

Having seen tiny386 run on its minimum-spec ESP32 platform, we’ll concede that while it’s usable, it’s not the fastest experience, but the RP2350 port promises better performance. It’s not for a modern full-fat Linux distro, but should work well for running older operating systems such as DOS, or Windows 3.1 and 95, or even a lean Linux setup. This has fascinating potential: while these systems are old, they still have an enormous software library. The idea of useful general-purpose computing, 1990s style, in the palm of the hand, is interesting.

If you’re curious, you can find tiny386 here and the FRANK boards here. Maybe they’re a better route to ’90s fun and games than a 386 laptop.

You want your phone to last as long as it can on a charge, but you should pause before you swipe away those background apps — closing them might cause your phone to use more power, not less. It's counter-intuitive, I know, but here's why.

Most Linux distros you'll find are basically a pile of separate programs—a panel, a compositor, a window manager, and so on—all exchanging information and coordinating their behavior to create a cohesive experience.

By a show of hands, how many of you clean your power tools? I didn't think so. Those Ryobi tools in the garage are built to handle life's daily wear and tear, tackle DIY projects, and more, but when they get covered in dirt, sawdust, and other grime, a proper cleaning is more important than you think.

Obama recently said that Democrats need to make artificial intelligence one of their “central agendas” and “have a very clear plan” to address concerns around the technology’s economic impact and safety.

Electronics giant LG has been under fire over the past few days after a viral two-hour video report by Gamers Nexus warned that LG's TVs surreptitiously record users' audio, even when the screen is turned off, as well as collecting details about networked devices, location data, and wireless network information.

Since the video's release, dozens of reaction videos have followed, with titles like "How to Stop Smart TV Spying" and "LG Isn't the Only TV Company Spying on You," from reputable channels such as Linus Tech Tips and RTINGS, respectively. 

In the wake of the video, LG has formally denied the claims on various news networks and in a statement on its website. Titled "Understanding Privacy on LG Smart TVs," LG unambiguously denies the central accusations of the Gamers Nexus video. 

"LG smart TVs do not continuously record or transmit users’ conversations. Speech-to-text processing begins only if a user activates a voice interaction through a supported wake-word feature or by pressing the voice (or AI) button on the remote control. Audio used for wake-word detection is processed locally on the TV and, if no wake word is detected, audio is not converted to text, stored, or transmitted. Voice-recognition results and related technical logs may be generated as part of processing a voice command. These records are associated with specific voice interactions and do not indicate continuous recording of conversations occurring outside an active voice recognition session."

LG claims that, "Speech-recognition results may be used to support voice-related features but are not uploaded later when the TV is offline or when connectivity is restored."

The company also pointed out that some of the most invasive features, like their Automatic Content Recognition (ACR) feature designed to learn from your viewing habits to offer better content recommendations, are optional.

But questions about LG's integrity, as well as the wording of their statement, still remain. If they contend that "LG smart TVs do not continuously record or transmit users’ conversations," does that mean they do so sporadically?

Ultimately, this controversy is another in a long-running series highlighting the need for a more honest conversation about the balance between consumer convenience and consumer privacy. It's definitely a conversation worth having, but in the future, it would be nice if it didn't happen after a major violation of consumer trust.

CarPlay lets you bypass your car's lousy infotainment system, but some manufacturers have decided they don't want you doing that anymore.

HDMI cables can only transmit a signal so far, but these accessories can extend that when you need something more.

A union representing Uber and Lyft drivers was just certified by California's Public Employment Relations Board, officially recognizing them as the drivers' bargaining organization. The Sacramento Bee reports that this new bargaining structure : The move will allow the California Gig Workers Union to help drivers negotiate issues affecting working conditions and benefits. It comes as at least 30% of active drivers expressed support of the union... [California] Assembly Bill 1340 helped bring the union to fruition by allowing the independent contractor drivers to engage in collective bargaining. "The next step for the union is to negotiate a contract with Uber and Lyft that meets drivers' demands," reports the Los Angeles Times, "including health insurance, support for high gas prices and more transparency around pay: California is the third state to allow ride-hailing drivers to unionize, following Washington in 2022 and Massachusetts in 2024... The California Gig Workers Union was formed with the support of the Service Employees International Union... "Gig drivers shouldn't have to face the future alone," said SEIU 521 official Riko Mendez in a statement. "As autonomous vehicles rapidly expand, having a union gives the drivers the power to negotiate for fair pay and meaningful say in how new technology shapes their work and our communities' futures."

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Get caught up on the latest technology and startup news from the past week. Here are the most popular stories on GeekWire for the week of Sept. 6, 2026.

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