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Paulo Vargas

Paulo Vargas

News Writer
Author/Co-Author of 829 articles

Paulo Vargas is an English major turned reporter turned technical writer, with a career that has always circled back to technology. He got his start covering consumer tech as a journalist, writing about gadgets, apps, and the rise of Android when flashing custom ROMs was still a badge of honor. Over the years, his work has ranged from gadget reviews and magazine features to film criticism, small-press zines, and in-depth documentation for global software companies.

Today, Paulo focuses on making complex tools easier to use, whether that means turning technical features into clear guides or cutting through marketing fluff to show readers what really matters. Outside of writing, he spends his time playing modern pixel RPGs, but steers clear of first-person shooters since they make him nauseous. Besides, he’s always been more at home with words than crosshairs.

Car, Sedan, Transportation

How much is a Tesla? Here’s what you pay for every model in 2026

Compare 2026 Tesla prices for Model 3, Model Y, and Cybertruck, including destination fees, options, incentives, and ownership costs.
Green

WhatsApp now lets people join calls without signing up for yet another account

WhatsApp now lets guests join encrypted calls without an account, with support for up to 32 people and no time limit. Hosts still need accounts, and guests join through a computer browser.
google-gemini

Google AI Plus is losing Pro models, and keeping them means a pricier subscription

Google AI Plus subscribers are losing manual Pro model selection. A shared email gives a November 13 cutoff, while retaining that choice means moving to a subscription that costs roughly four times as much.
Electronics, Mobile Phone, Phone

A $7 board lets an AI control an iPhone without jailbreaking it

Henry Yuan’s open-source project uses a roughly $7 board to let AI navigate an iPhone without jailbreaking it, though model access and setup requirements make it more involved than the price suggests.
Boy, Child, Male

YouTube Music is making AI-generated songs easier to spot while listening

YouTube Music is rolling out player labels for songs made primarily with generative AI. Listeners can tap for details, while an expansion to the main YouTube app is planned without a confirmed date.
ChatGPT on iPhone

The best AI tools of 2026

These are the best AI tools of 2026 for chat, research, image and video generation, coding, voice, photo editing, and everyday productivity.
Clothing, Coat, Adult

INIU’s new $55 power bank is ready for dirt, rain, and clumsy hikers

INIU’s new Rugged 10000 power bank combines 45W charging with IP67 protection for outdoor use. The $54.99 battery weighs roughly 196g and includes a built-in light, plus a five-year warranty.
Copilot graphics

Microsoft wants Copilot Notebooks to handle the work that comes after an AI answer

Microsoft is bringing Office editing into Copilot Notebooks, letting preview users revise documents alongside project references. The update also adds collaborative reports, while scheduled tasks are expected in the coming weeks.
Advertisement, Poster, Machine

A PS5 homebrew update gives old PS2 discs a reason to leave the shelf

PS5SX2’s new disc autoplay beta lets a jailbroken PS5 copy and launch physical PS2 games. It gives old collections another use, though setup requirements and limited testing keep this firmly in enthusiast territory.
Nature, Outdoors, Sea

The Adobe clones are real, but so is the work left to finish them

Brandon Thomas used AI to build seven free Adobe alternatives. We examine ArtCraft’s promises, documented limitations, and the business funding development.
Book, Publication, Indoors

Relaxation music had one job in this pain study, and favorite songs did it better

Patients who picked their own music reported less pain after an IV insertion in a 204-person study. The tested relaxation music didn’t help, while Mozart’s benefits were limited to patients with preexisting pain.
ChatGPT on iPhone

ChatGPT is already being weaponized to publish war propaganda in US newsrooms

An Iran-based influence campaign used ChatGPT to generate articles, tailor them for specific outlets, and create pitches that helped around 100 pieces reach real publications.
Gemini AI on a phone.

Google is building a “black box” for Android AI, but the agents aren’t inside yet

Google’s AISeal puts personal Android AI data in a hardware-isolated vault. Protected storage is rolling out first, while running models and autonomous agents inside remains a future step without a launch date.
ChatGPT

ChatGPT can imitate a cartoonist. Now it’s signing their name, too

ChatGPT has put real New Yorker cartoonists’ signatures on AI-generated cartoons. The artists didn’t draw them, and OpenAI’s image verification tool can’t tell readers whether a signature names the actual creator.
Computer Hardware, Electronics, Hardware

These four Amazon Prime Day finds belong on the camping checklist

Four outdoor tech finds cover solar charging, satellite messaging, and campsite lighting, with Amazon prices starting at $37.99.
Book, Comics, Publication

Five Amazon Prime Day deals I’d check for PS5 and Xbox games and headsets

These five Amazon Prime Day offers cover three RPGs and two wired gaming headsets, with prices starting at $19.99 for Prime members.
Cup, Device, Appliance

Amazon Prime Day cuts up to $300 off these coffee and espresso machines

These five Amazon coffee deals include a $59.48 Keurig, a $99 Nespresso, and De’Longhi espresso machines discounted by up to $300.
Computer, Computer Hardware, Computer Keyboard

These 5 Amazon Prime Day gaming gear deals start at $43

Five Amazon gaming deals worth a look, including a $51.50 Razer headset, mechanical keyboards, and a Logitech wireless mouse.
Electronics, Mobile Phone, Phone

Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 teardown shows they are still a repairability bane

iFixit gave the Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 low repairability scores. The Series 12 adds useful internal changes, but replacing a battery still requires getting past a delicate display.
Computer, Electronics, Pc

Razer’s $100 Mako X speakers bring gaming audio to desks without room for a subwoofer

Razer’s $99.99 Mako X speakers pack bass radiators and RGB into a compact stereo setup without a separate subwoofer. They’re available now, though maximum output requires an additional USB-C power adapter.
Advertisement, Poster, Page

These 5 Amazon Prime Day Wi-Fi 7 deals start at $149.99

Five Wi-Fi 7 router and mesh deals from Asus, TP-Link, Eero, and Netgear, starting at $149.99.
Computer Hardware, Electronics, Hardware

From campsite charging to backup power, these 4 Amazon Prime Day deals stand out

Four Amazon Prime deals cover compact camping power, everyday backup, and an EcoFlow bundle with a solar panel included.
Wristwatch, Computer Hardware, Electronics

I picked 5 Amazon watch deals for everyone from casual walkers to regular runners

Five Amazon watch deals from Apple, Samsung, and Garmin cover everyday tracking, running, and outdoor adventures, starting at $199.
Computer, Electronics, Laptop

Five Amazon Prime Day laptop deals for getting work done, from MacBooks to ThinkPads

These five Amazon laptop deals cover portable MacBook Airs, an OLED Dell XPS, and two ThinkPads for everyday productivity.
Electronics, Advertisement, Remote Control

I narrowed Amazon’s soundbar deals down to these 5 picks under $400

Five soundbar deals from Amazon, Sony, LG, Yamaha, and Bose cover everything from a simple TV upgrade to rear-speaker surround sound.
Electronics, Phone, Mobile Phone

From $200 Motorolas to Samsung’s Flip, these phone deals made my shortlist

Four Amazon phone deals span affordable Motorolas, the distinctive Nothing Phone (3), and Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 8.
Wristwatch, Arm, Body Part

I found 4 smartwatch deals for different budgets ahead of Prime Day

Four Amazon smartwatch deals cover Samsung, Garmin, and Apple, with prices starting at $159 ahead of October Prime Day.
Electrical Device, Microphone, Firearm

A second battery or a lower price? These 6 cordless vacuum deals give shoppers options

Five cordless vacuum deals from Levoit, Bissell, and Shark cover quick cleanups, pet hair, and longer cleaning sessions, starting at $123.49.
Advertisement, Poster, Tape

These 5 monitor deals ahead of Prime Day give an aging desk a useful upgrade

Five Amazon monitor deals cover everyday work, affordable gaming, 4K streaming, and ultrawide multitasking, starting at $94.99.
Electronics, Joystick

These 5 Amazon gaming deals put the upgrade money into the controls

Five Amazon gaming accessory deals cover affordable wireless mice, a customizable controller, a compact keyboard, and streaming controls.
Electronics, Hardware, Router

These 5 router deals are where I’d start before paying for faster internet

Five Amazon router deals cover affordable replacements, whole-home mesh upgrades, and outdoor Wi-Fi.
Computer, Electronics, Pc

Cats Lock is a ridiculous app that has earned the right to stay on my Mac

My cat Charlie helped me test Cats Lock, a $5 Mac app that blocks accidental paw presses. It caught him without interrupting my typing or gaming.
Computer Hardware, Electronics, Hardware

These four SSD deals deserve a look before October Prime Day

Four Amazon SSD discounts cover extra game storage, portable files, and a speed-focused PC upgrade ahead of October Prime Day.
Box, Electronics, Hardware

GMKtec M8 review: The simplicity of function and the things we take for granted

I spent a month using the GMKtec M8 for writing, browser-based work, and lighter gaming. Here’s where this compact Windows mini PC fits.
Electronics, Mobile Phone, Phone

Huawei Mate 90 RS is a design showstopper and costs as much as the iPhone Duo

Huawei’s Mate 90 RS Ultimate Design pairs patterned glass with polished titanium for an unapologetically ornate look. Its substantial weight and unconfirmed US availability deserve attention before anyone considers buying one.
Gun, Weapon

Congratulations, Apple. The new AirPods are only mostly unrepairable now

AirPods 5 earn just 2 out of 10 for repairability, but accessible earbud batteries finally break Apple’s decade-long streak of completely unrepairable AirPods.
Advertisement, Adapter, Electronics

These 5 robot vacuum deals are where I’d start before October Prime Day

Shop five Amazon robot vacuum deals ahead of October Prime Day, from a $240 self-emptying Shark to Roborock, Eufy, and Dreame vacuum-and-mop combos.
Cup, Beverage, Soda

I’d start with these 5 coffee maker deals ahead of Prime Day

Shop five Amazon coffee maker deals ahead of October Prime Day, from a $29.73 drip brewer to discounted Nespresso, Breville, and Ninja espresso machines.