Net neutrality was back, until it wasn’t
The fight for net neutrality never seems to be truly won or lost.
Federal net neutrality rules have been on and off for the past 15 years. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) passed the Open Internet Order under President Barack Obama in 2010, prohibiting ISPs from blocking or throttling lawful internet traffic, the baseline rule of net neutrality. Then, at the request of those ISPs, a court blocked its rules. An updated framework was passed by the FCC in 2015, only to be overturned in 2017 under President Donald Trump's first administration. It seemed poised for a comeback in 2024, but the victory lasted mere months before a court …
Leaked video shows the Galaxy S26 Ultra’s new camera island
New photos and video seem to confirm previous leaks hinting that the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra will sport a new camera bump. OnLeaks posted images of what look like dummy phones on X, following renders it leaked back in September.
We've seen a similarly raised island on the Galaxy Z Fold 7, which 9to5Google points out could lead to an annoying wobble when using the device on a table.
More leaked renders in November appeared to show t …
The Dreame X40 Ultra robovac is about $700 off, nearly matching its best price
With the year coming to a close, now’s a good time to set yourself up for a cleaner, more organized start in 2026. The Dreame X40 Ultra — one of our favorite robot vacuum deals from Black Friday — can handle most of the heavy lifting for you, and it’s once again on sale. You can currently buy it for $503 ($697 off) at Amazon at checkout, which is just $4 more than its record low price set during Black Friday.
Dreame X40 Ultra
Where to Buy:
Before the Dreame X50 Ultra took its place, the X40 Ultra was our favorite robovac / mop hybrid for hard floors and carpets. Like the X50 Ultra, it delivers excellent mopping performance, thanks to dual oscillating mop pads that can extend into edges and reach under consoles and cabinets. It can also automatically detach and reattach its mop pads when switching between mopping and vacuuming.
While the X50 Ultra is nearly twice as powerful, the X40 Ultra’s 12,000Pa of suction is still more than capable of handling everyday dirt and debris. It also features AI-powered dirt detection, allowing the robot to slow down and make additional passes over especially dirty areas. What’s more, the X40 Ultra can empty its own dustbin, refill its water tank, and clean its washboard, with mop pads that wash and dry themselves for minimal upkeep.
What you don’t get are some of the newer X50 Ultra upgrades, including the motorized swing arm that lets it clear higher thresholds and the improved dual rubber roller brush system, which does a better job picking up fine debris. That said, the X40 Ultra still performed very well in our testing, making it a great investment — especially considering it now costs about half as much as its successor.
Some more deals to wrap up the year
- You can buy the Baseus 163W Retractable Car Charger for $28.49 ($21 off) at Amazon, which is its best price to date. The charger can power up to four devices at once, thanks to three USB-C ports and a single USB-A port that together deliver up to 163 watts of total output. That’s enough to charge everything from phones and earbuds to tablets and even laptops. It also includes two built-in retractable USB-C cables, so that’s one less thing you need to worry about bringing while on the go.
- Apple’s Crossbody Strap has dropped to a record-low price, starting at $41.99 ($17 off) at Amazon. The strap attaches to compatible iPhone cases — including the iPhone Air with a Bumper case and Apple’s Silicone and TechWoven cases for the iPhone 17 lineup — letting you carry your phone hands-free. The length is adjustable, and it comes in a range of colors, several of which are pricier but also at record-low prices.
- The last-generation Polaroid Now Plus is on sale for $89.99 ($60 off) at Best Buy in white, which is the cheapest it’s ever been. If you’re after an instant camera with a retro, old-school feel, the second-gen Now Plus is still a solid option, offering Bluetooth support, a range of creative shooting modes through its companion app, and multiple physical lenses. While its photos aren’t as sharp as newer models — including our favorite, the Polaroid Flip — the older Now Plus remains a worthwhile option at this price.
Killing in the name of… nothing
In a good and just society, it would have been possible to bury Charlie Kirk without either threatening mass violence toward his enemies or making light of his death with a furry sex meme. But America in 2025 did not remotely resemble a working society, let alone a civil one, and Kirk's killing came prepackaged with its own desecrating shitposts.
There was, briefly, an attempt at a national mood of somberness. The president ordered flags across the nation to be lowered to half-staff. Politicians, celebrities, and other public figures - even those not aligned with Kirk on the right - rushed out with condolences and grief, painting completely …
The 11 best Nintendo Switch 2 games we played in 2025
2025 was a big year for gaming, and that includes gaming hardware. Nintendo launched its Switch 2 console in June, and since then, numerous Switch 2 titles and noteworthy updates for original Switch games have launched. These include brand-new Nintendo experiences like Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza, as well as some belated but welcome third-party titles, including Cyberpunk 2077 and Divinity: Original Sin 2. Even classics like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild got some new life on the upgraded console.
If you're considering buying a console, or you're getting one for someone else, there are 11 games that we think are a must …
Two cybersecurity employees plead guilty to carrying out ransomware attacks
Two former employees at cybersecurity firms - one of whom was a ransomware negotiator - have pleaded guilty to carrying out a series of ransomware attacks in 2023. The Department of Justice announced the guilty pleas on Tuesday, saying 40-year-old Ryan Goldberg and 36-year-old Kevin Martin extorted $1.2 million in Bitcoin from a medical device company and targeted several others.
Goldberg, Martin, and an unnamed co-conspirator were indicted for the attacks in October, which involved using ALPHV / BlackCat ransomware to encrypt and steal data from their victims. As reported by the Chicago Sun-Times, Martin and the third conspirator worked as …
The OneXSugar Wallet is the first gaming handheld with a folding screen
Folding OLED displays are still most commonly found on premium smartphones and laptops, but One-Netbook is bringing the tech to a new gaming device. Its new OneXSugar Wallet is reminiscent of the company's folding OneXSugar Sugar 1 handheld that launched earlier this year. But instead of two screens, the Wallet handheld unfolds to reveal just one big 8.01-inch OLED screen with a 4:3 aspect ratio, as spotted by Retro Handhelds.
The OneXSugar Wallet was announced on China's Weibo yesterday, but with few details about its features and capabilities. That folding OLED screen has a resolution of 2480 x 1860 pixels, and the handheld will be powere …
GameSir put a tiny force feedback steering wheel on its new Swift Drive controller
GameSir is no stranger to experimenting with unique controller features - its Tarantula Pro can automatically swap its face button labels to accommodate alternate layouts, and its Pocket 1 clamps Game Boy controls onto your phone. What sets its new Swift Drive controller apart is a small steering wheel located smack-dab in the middle of the gamepad that's connected to what GameSir calls the "world's smallest direct drive motor" providing force feedback effects for racing games.
Pricing and availability hasn't been announced yet, but GameSir has revealed plenty of details about the Swift Drive's features and functionality. The steering wheel …
Anker’s portable backup battery is an even better investment now that it’s nearly half off
Winter storms across the country are bringing heavy snow, rain, and — in some cases, as this Californian who briefly lost power a few days ago can attest — outages. If you want to prepare, Anker’s 521 PowerHouse can help keep your essential devices running and it’s on sale for $129.99 ($120 off) at Amazon. That is about $2 shy of its all-time low price and the best price we’ve seen since Black Friday.
What’s impressive about the 256Wh power station is the range of devices it can handle. You can charge smaller electronics like phones, tablets, cameras, and laptops multiple times using its two USB-A ports and single USB-C port, but it also features two AC outlets and a car socket. That means it can power low-wattage appliances such as a mini fridge, portable fan or heater (on low), electric blanket, and other gear that draws up to 300 watts. You don’t need to worry it’ll die, either — Anker says the battery is designed to last up to 10 years and offers a five-year warranty.
There are a few thoughtful extras, too. Small and weighing about eight pounds — roughly the same as a gallon of water — it’s relatively easy to carry thanks to its integrated handle. Anker also includes a built-in display for checking remaining battery life at a glance, along with a car charging cable. And if you’re outdoors or dealing with an extended outage, you can even recharge it using compatible solar panels — though you’ll need to buy those separately.
Three more deals worth a look
- Google’s TV Streamer (4K) is once again on sale for $74.99 ($25 off) at Amazon and Target, which matches its best price to date. The streaming device is Google’s best yet, allowing you to stream in 4K with support for Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos. Beyond streaming, it also doubles as a smart home hub, with built-in Matter support and a Thread radio that lets you control compatible smart home devices directly through the TV screen. Read our review.
- The PlayStation 5 version of Silent Hill 2 is down to a record low price of $27.39 ($23 off) at Amazon. You can also buy it on Xbox and PC for $34.99 instead of $69.99 from Konami and Steam. The remake of the 2001 survival horror classic features a new design, new puzzles, a reworked combat system, and a range of quality-of-life improvements, making the experience feel even scarier than before. It’s an especially fitting time to return to the foggy town with the film adaptation of Silent Hill 2 set to arrive this January.
- The portable Garmin inReach Messenger has dropped to a new low of $165.50 ($135 off) at Amazon. The water-resistant satellite messenger lets you stay connected when you’re off the grid, allowing you to send and receive messages, share your location, get weather reports, and trigger interactive SOS alerts even without cellular service — though a satellite subscription is required. It also supports reverse charging via USB-C, so while it’s not meant to be used as a power bank you can technically top off your phone in an emergency.
The FCC has probably killed a plan to improve smart home security
The US Cyber Trust Mark Program, an Energy Star-style certification for smart home security, could be winding down less than a year after it launched. Safety testing company UL Solutions has announced that it is stepping down as the program's lead administrator, just a few months after the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) began investigating it over ties to China.
The Cyber Trust Mark Program hasn't been officially shut down yet, but the loss of its lead administrator leaves it in limbo. It wouldn't be the first security program the FCC axed this year. In November, the FCC rolled back cybersecurity regulations for telecom companies …