Amazon Echo Auto (2nd gen) review: Surprisingly great and utterly useless

The second-generation Amazon Echo Auto is a smaller, detachable contraption that does exactly what you’d imagine: bring the powers of Alexa to your dashboard courtesy of a little microphone/speaker combination thatyou attach somewherein your car. Plug the Echo Auto into a spare USB port or 12V power output (commonly known as the “cigarette lighter”), go through a pretty comprehensive onboarding process, and Alexa will be waiting for you at the end, ready to receive your commands....

July 23, 2025 · 7 min · 1405 words · David Spencer

Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus (2022) review: Who is this for?

The Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus is odd, considering theother tablet sizes Amazon offersin similar price ranges. It’s not big and sharp enough to truly enjoy as an adult or cheap enough for kids who lose or break things regularly, and the performance isn’t as smooth as it could be for everyone in general. The Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus does thankfully improve upon theAmazon Fire HD 8’s lackluster performance, even if it isn’t quite enough....

July 23, 2025 · 12 min · 2424 words · Mrs. Sandra Shelton

Android 12 now on one of every eight devices, report says

Android 12 now on one of every eight devices, report says Fragmentation on Android has always been a problem. With so many devices from so many phone makers, and keeping updates on the shoulders of those phone makers, it’s almost inevitable.It’s gotten better in recent years, but even today, it’s not rare to see Android phones running any version from 12 down to 8. This isn’t true for iPhones as a majority of them are running iOS 15....

July 23, 2025 · 2 min · 390 words · David English

Apple TV+'s New Sci-Fi Show Continues An Impressive Rotten Tomatoes Trend For A24

Summary Sunny, Apple TV+ latest sci-fi thriller, continues an impressive Rotten Tomatoes trend for beloved entertainment company A24. Founded in 2012 by film vets Daniel Katz, David Fenkel, and John Hodges, the independent production and distribution banner is perhaps the most well-known for its films. Bolstered by genre-spanning hits, like Alex Garland’s sci-fi psychological thrillerEx Machinaand Robert Eggers' folk horror filmThe Witch,A24 helped renew mainstream movie-goers' interest in indie and arthouse-style films....

July 23, 2025 · 4 min · 730 words · Calvin Griffith Jr.

Avengers Vs X-Men?! The Best Avengers 5 Theory Sets Up Marvel's Mutant Reboot

Summary The future ofAvengers 5is currently uncertain, but a new theory suggests that theMarvel Cinematic Universemay be retooling the film intoAvengers vs. X-Men.Everything known aboutAvengers 5seems to be in flux, butMarvel Studios has recently hired a new writer and confirmed that it will no longer be calledThe Kang Dynasty.This theory seems surprisingly likely after the events ofDeadpool & Wolverine, which sees the integration of several X-Men characters into the MCU. AnAvengers vs....

July 23, 2025 · 5 min · 992 words · Cindy Hamilton

Batman’s New All-Black Costume Finally Fulfills the Promise of “I Am the Night”

Summary Batmanhas many popular sayings, but one of his best has been delivered on a cover, based on the solicitation forBatman: Dark Age #6.With a new artistic take on his classic look, the batsuit appears all-black. This visual brings to mind the Dark Knight’s promise of who he is. In the beloved cartoon,Batman: The Animated Series (1992), one of the titular hero’s quotes has grown to be a trademark. In a Scarecrow-induced hallucination, the Dark Knight says, “I am vengeance I am the night....

July 23, 2025 · 3 min · 538 words · Jacob Vargas

Car manufacturers might suck the fun out out of Material You on Android Automotive

For many years,Android Autohas provided most drivers with a competent-if-flawed option to map out their trips and listen to their favorite music, but some newer cars are replacing this feature withAndroid Automotive, a dedicated operating system for automobiles. While this OS has been around since 2017, it’s been slow to adapt to Google’s aesthetic. That could change soon, asMaterial Youthemes could start making their way to Android Automotive — with a catch....

July 23, 2025 · 2 min · 303 words · Paul Holt

Cyclops Just Lost His Crown as Xavier's Greatest Disciple to an Underrated Mutant

Warning: Spoilers for X-Force #9!Charles Xavier may have just found his latestX-Menapostle despite his fall from grace. Over the past decade, the beloved Professor X has revealed increasingly villainous tendencies, pushing even the X-Men to turn their backs on him. His most loyal follower, Cyclops, now can’t bear to look at him and refuses to offer any help to his former mentor in his time of need, making Xavier’s newest pet project all the more noteworthy....

July 23, 2025 · 4 min · 663 words · Bill Brewer

Daily Themed Crossword August 01, 2025 Answers (5/20/25)

Our Daily Themed Crossword June 20, 2025 answers guide should help you finish today’s crossword if you’ve found yourself stuck on a crossword clue. TheDaily Themed Crosswordis available as a mobile app on both iOS and Android devices. It has become a popular crossword app due to its regular crossword offerings and difficulty level (not too easy, not too difficult, generally). They release a new crossword each day, every day of the year, and each crossword has a theme and allows for hints in case an answer involves a more obscure word....

July 23, 2025 · 2 min · 346 words · Linda Fisher

Do you trust Google's direction for Pixel devices?

When it comes to Google, early leaks aren’t out of the ordinary. Google is particularly bad at hiding future hardware products — hell, how long did we spend hearing about Pixel Fold leaks? 2024 has been no different, as we’ve already heard plenty about the Pixel 8a, Pixel Fold 2, and, of course, the Pixel 9 series. For the first time since 2021, though, we’re looking at some big hardware shakeups coming to most of these devices, which makes it the perfect chance to check in on how Android users feel about Google’s efforts to create the best Android phones around....

July 23, 2025 · 3 min · 574 words · Ms. Christie Werner

Does the Samsung SmartTag 2 have UWB?

Quick answer:Yes, the Samsung SmartTag 2 includes UWB support. TheSamsung SmartTag 2is one of the best ways to keep tabs on the go-to items in your life that have a nasty habit of disappearing. We’re talking about car keys, wallets, laptop sleeves, and other things we take for granted until they vanish into thin air. Samsung’s latest bite-sizedtrackerfeatures an improved design, a revamped battery, and some SmartThings Find app changes, too....

July 23, 2025 · 3 min · 639 words · Alicia Morrison

Earth vs the Green Lantern Corps Is the War No DC Fan Saw Coming

Summary Warning! Preview pages ahead for Green Lantern #13!TheGreen Lanternsbetter beware Amanda Waller’s power, because she’s already planning moves to take on the powerful, peacekeeping organization.Absolute Powerhas arrivedand metahumans across the DC Universe have been de-powered as Waller tightens her grip on the world. Heroes and villains alike have had their amazing powers stolen by Waller’s insidious,all-Amazo team Task Force VII. With numerous DC icons stripped of their abilities, Waller is now leading the most powerful army on Earth....

July 23, 2025 · 6 min · 1128 words · Claire Kennedy

Easily Overlooked The First Descendant 1.03 Change Greatly Improves Farming For Materials

Summary As exciting asTheFirst Descendanthas been since launch, one heavily draining downside for material farming just saw a major improvement. This looter shooter, while lacking in story and filled with microtransaction controversy, has generally been well-received for its engaging gameplay. Though similar to rivalWarframe, the overall feeling is different enough that the two games can fill different needs. Overall, the power fantasy given by the playable Descendants is well crafted and offers up playstyle builds that are flexible to player preference....

July 23, 2025 · 3 min · 565 words · Donald Davis