Tech & Mobile 8-Hour Briefing
×Tech & Hardware
Last updated: October 18, 2026, 10:40 PM ET
GPUs & Graphics
AMD Radeon owners can now run nearly every DLSS feature through a fan-made mod, as Daniel Blanco's DLSS-NR on AMD project has grown well past its original scope. Separately, a developer has released three tools that let users edit and load modified VBIOS files on GeForce RTX cards without flashing them.
Consoles & Gaming
Driveclub, Evolution Studios' 2014 PS4 racer, now runs natively on Windows through a fan-made recompilation. Sony, meanwhile, has filed a new patent application describing its own take on frame generation, which could find its way into the PlayStation.
Hardware Prices & Benchmarks
Dell's monitor division has reportedly issued an internal notice raising prices by 3 to 5 percent this month, with entry-level models spared. In retro performance, overclocker Luumi has set a new Cinebench R11.5 record with an Intel Core i5-4670K, 13 years after the chip's launch.
Mobile News
Last updated: October 18, 2026, 10:40 PM ET
Router & Network Basics
Decoding the lights on your Netgear router shows which ones signal power, internet, and Wi-Fi status and which can be safely ignored. For households mixing gear, a gateway versus modem and router setup is worth understanding, since a gateway combines both functions while a separate pair can offer more control.
Starlink Plans
Starlink's two $55 options differ sharply, trading download speed against data caps, so the right pick depends on how you use the connection.
Smartphone Cameras
The iPhone 18 Pro becomes the first iPhone to adopt a variable aperture, a feature that lets the lens adjust light intake for sharper control over depth of field and exposure.
Gaming & Consoles
Inscryption arrives on mobile after five years, with the studio marking the anniversary on Twitch. Separately, an Xbox Series X can now run PS5 games, though the emulation comes with notable limitations.
Apple & Samsung Features
Apple's Image Playground received noteworthy updates this fall. On Samsung devices, an orange dot on the Galaxy Watch display indicates an active microphone or app access.
Security & AI Tools
Aiming a laser pointer at a security camera can damage the sensor, so it should be avoided. Google's SynthID detector offers a simple way to check whether an image was AI-generated or manipulated.
Everyday Tips
The star button on a Roku remote opens an options menu for the current content and settings.
Coming Up
The iPhone 18 Pro's variable aperture is the first of its kind on an iPhone, arriving with that model's launch.
Apple News
Last updated: October 18, 2026, 10:40 PM ET
Phone App Updates
Apple continues refining the Phone app on iPhone, and 9to5Mac highlights several features worth enabling now to get more out of it.
Mac Deals
Amazon is discounting Apple's new Mac mini by up to $149 and the Mac Studio by $200.
Smart Home
In this week's Sunday Reboot, Apple Insider reviews HomeView, an interesting smart home experiment from Apple.