Samsung halts smartphone and chip shipments to Russia AsRussia’s invasion of Ukrainecontinues to escalate, we’ve seen several countries and corporations enact sanctions and block goods and services entirely. Following similar steps byApple and Microsoft throughout this week, Samsung is taking action by stopping its products from entering the country. As reported byBloomberg, the company is ceasing shipments of both phones and chips to Russia. It’s a massive move, in large part due to the foothold Samsung has in the country’s mobile space....

Summary Steamis finally making some major changes to its storefront that will make it far easier for players to try a game before they purchase it. Currently, in the gaming space, it’s never been easier for players to dip into a collection of games, either viaPC and Xbox Game Passor PlayStation Plus' libraries, and decide if a title is right for them, but Steam has long offered a more traditional way of doing this with demos that let players try out a section of a title that should serve as a solid representation of what the full game will be like before someone pays for it....

Summary One of the new stars of theDC Universe- who will also be in theSupermanmovie - teases an upcoming crucial storyline in the franchise which looks to be key forPeacemakerseason 2. A new era of DC is coming out of Warner Bros. Discovery, with James Gunn and Peter Safran leading the new DC Universe, which will start withChapter 1, “Gods and Monsters.“While the DCU is a reboot, one DCEU property will move over to the DC Universe, asPeacemakerseason 2 is currently in production to be part of the new cinematic world....

ThePixel Foldis Google’s alternative for consumers tired of Samsung’s dominance in the foldable segment, and it seems to tick all the boxes. The foldable phone is set to take on theSamsung Galaxy Z Fold 4and its soon-to-be-released sequel, though it is still prohibitively expensive for many at $1,800. While Google didn’t reveal at last month’s I/O conference when the Pixel Fold would start shipping, its preorder page indicated that the device would be available on June 27....

The Huawei MateBook 16s Is a Portable Productivity Powerhouse Huawei MateBook 16s 2022 Edition Huawei’s MateBook 16s is so good I actually prefer it to the MateBook X Pro 12th Gen edition. It is super fast, chomping through processes like a hot knife through butter, and it can even handle more intensive tasks thanks to the impressive inclusion of Intel’s i9 12th Gen core. A must-buy if you’re after a laptop that is excellent for both work and play....

Graphics card manufacturers provide optimizations for popular games to make them run better on your system, so why don’t processor vendors offer the same? As it turns out, some do—Intel now provides direct optimization through its new Intel APO tool. What Is Intel APO? Intel Application Optimization (APO) is a program that boosts frame rates in games by optimizing the performance of Intel processors. It’s not an overclock; instead, Intel APO tweaks how the CPU schedules threads, similar to how Nvidia optimizes its GPUs to perform in specific titles....

Information and organization dominate the themes for today’sConnectionspuzzle, but some chaos lightly sprinkled into word pairings will throw off even the most seasoned veterans. Although I could recognize some clear patterns in today’s puzzle, some concepts are trying to trick you as you play. Taking the advice of a few hints may make the difference between success and one too many mistakes. The words in today’s puzzle are fairly easy to understand, with one clear exception....

What Is an Automatic Transfer Switch and Do You Need One? With solar becoming a popular option for sourcing energy, many homeowners have started implementing grid-tie and hybrid solar power systems into their homes. Both grid-tie and hybrid systems allow homes to have two sources of power, one from the grid and one from the solar power system. Meaning you’ll have a backup in case your primary power source fails....

Quick Links Malware comes in many different forms. One particularly concerning example is extortionware, a term that covers numerous types of cyberattack software. But you might be more familiar with ransomware. Extortionware and ransomware are related but different. Nonetheless, both are something you need to be wary of. Here’s what extortionware is, how it differs from ransomware, and how you may protect yourself from it. What Is Extortionware? Extortionware is simply malware used to extort victims....

Summary Ian McKellen’s Gandalf can be heard singing a song as he rides into the Shire inThe Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, and this tune is far from random. The scene in which the old wizard arrives in Hobbit country is among the most lighthearted and peaceful of the series, and this has made it all the more memorable. Gandalf’s joyful ride perfectly sets the tone of the Shire while establishing a contrast with the doom and gloom to come....

Despite owning two smart TVs, I still often use my trusty third-generation Chromecast while at home and on the go. Even if you think Chromecasts are yesterday’s streaming device, there are some excellent reasons why it’s worth tracking down a Chromecast in the age of built-in apps and streaming boxes. 5Chromecasts Are Compact The Chromecast is a perfect example of portable tech. Even the most recent Google Chromecast with Google TV is smaller than the palm of your hand, and since it can be powered via a TV’s USB port, it typically doesn’t require a power brick for operation....

A Minecraft Moviebrings one of the world’s most popular video games to life with a mix of live-action and CG characters meant to bridge real life and gamer fantasy. Starring comedy legend Jack Black andFast Xstar Jason Momoa, whose own comedic talents are often far underappreciated,A Minecraft Movieaims to invite seasoned players and casual moviegoers alike to enjoy its eye-poppingly colorful world. The movie also boasts serious comedic chops behind the camera, as it was directed by Jared Hess ofNapoleon DynamiteandNacho Librefame....

TheMythosaurhas become an important part ofThe Mandalorian, which has made its full reveal somewhat disappointing - though there’s a good explanation behind its current appearance. Ever since Boba Fett first wore the Mythosaur symbol on his armor, this ancient creature from Mandalore has been an important part of Mandalorian culture and lore. It has yet to actually be seen fully outside illustrations inStar WarsLegends, aside from a quick glimpse of it that was seen inThe Mandalorianseason 3, but it’s expected to play a big role in this sub-franchise’s future....