Microsoft Killed Its Best Tool for Right to Repair

May 11, 2022

This shouldn’t be surprising to anyone, but a study that Microsoft funded found that if the company made its devices easier to repair, that would be good for… well everything. Imagine that, right? But the study didn’t just focus on gadget design, though that’s important.

It also matters how easy it is to obtain repairs. What does it matter if your Surface Laptop can be repaired if you don’t know how and no place nearby can do it either? To really make a difference, Microsoft needs to make getting your devices repaired easy. And you know what? It used to have exactly what it needed to make that happen. The Microsoft Store. I truly believe the company needs to bring the Microsoft Store back. I’ll tell you why in the top story.

Other Highlights:

• Is your iPhone’s storage full? Again? We have some tips to help with that.
• Arnold went “ears on” with the HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless Gaming Headset… and if you’re a PC gamer, you might need this.
• Walp. The iPod is officially dead forever. (Did you even know it was still around?)
• …and more!

-Josh

An independent study Microsoft funded recently showed that improving repair processes could prevent greenhouse gases and avoid e-waste. But it’s easy to “study” an issue, harder to solve it. Unfortunately, Microsoft killed its best tool to tackle repairability—brick and mortar Microsoft Stores. Read More »

The premium HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless is comfortable, has phenomenal audio quality, sports a whopping 300-hour battery life, and doesn’t cost a fortune. If you’re a PC gamer, this headset is an excellent choice. But if you play on a Mac or Xbox, you’re out of luck. Read More »

After several delays and a misleading “launch,” the big brains at Intel have finally shared a release roadmap for their Arc GPUs. But this roadmap shows that Intel will prioritize OEMs and large businesses in Asia before selling its Arc GPUs directly to PC builders—if you’re trying to ditch AMD and NVIDIA, prepare to wait a few months. Read More »

After several leaks and rumors, DJI has officially announced the all-new DJI Mini 3 Pro. The company’s smallest and lightest drone ever just received huge upgrades across the board, including a rotating camera perfect for social media influencers. Read More »

In a somewhat cryptic blog post, Apple announced that it will only sell current-gen iPod Touch models “while supplies last.” That’s right—Apple still sells iPods, and in the coming months, some customer will unknowingly buy the very last iPod. Hey, at least we can definitively say that Apple beat the Zune! Read More »

It’s finally getting warm now, which means it’s finally comfortable to hang out in your backyard in the evening or night. And even though the days are getting longer, you’ll still need some extra lighting to help you see things, which is where a nice string of outdoor lights comes in. These LED string lights measure 48 feet and feature 2W dimmable Edison vintage lightbulbs and a commercial-grade weatherproof cable. There is approximately 3.11 feet in between each bulb, and they’re the perfect thing to add to a pergola, decks, or even between large trees, as you can link up to 30 strands.

Get it at Amazon →

Whenever you’ve had the opportunity to play with a big box of LEGO bricks, odds are you probably tried to build a pyramid. LEGO just released the impressive Great Pyramid of Giza set that’ll give you those fun 26BC vibes and look great displayed on your bookshelf. Read More »

Western Digital has unveiled its all-new 22TB CMR and 26TB Ultrastar DC HC670 UltraSMR HDDs, the world’s first of this size, built for enterprise and cloud storage solutions. Read More »

It’s Summer, and you know what that means—it’s time to bust out the grill and start barbecuing. With some (or all) of the best grilling supplies by your side, you’ll be cooking up the best backyard barbecues in your neighborhood. Read More »

Gaming keyboards with analog optical switches can sense how much pressure you’re using, allowing you to control in-game characters with the precision usually found in an analog stick. But you’ll never find this technology in a laptop—never mind, Lenovo just broke the rules. Read More »

If you’ve ever wanted to own a tiny Windows 11 boot drive, you’re in luck. Microsoft now sells physical copies of Windows 11 Home and Windows 11 Pro. In theory, these official boot drives should help people install Windows 11 on custom PCs or offline machines, though many people will see them as a novelty or collector’s item. Read More »

Your iPhone is your lifeline—holding your cherished photos, favorite songs, and frequently used apps. However, it’s easy to fill up your storage, which can make your phone perform more slowly. Here are some easy ways to free up space on your iPhone. Read More »

When you take a photo on an iPhone (6s or higher), by default you’re also capturing a small video with sound, called a “Live Photo.” When you share a photo with friends, the audio is included. Here’s how to not share the audio—and how to disable it completely. Read More »

Every summer, there seems to be a new trendy drink on the scene. This year, though, a classic appears to be poised for a return to tickle everyone’s taste buds. Read More »

For coffee lovers, few things are more sacred than their daily (or thrice-daily) cup of joe. While most would never dream of changing their morning brew, if you’re kinda over your old standby, you might find a new fave among these viral coffee hacks that actually work. Read More »

There is something particularly appealing about a camera sling. With it secured around your torso, you have easier access to your equipment than you would with a backpack or shoulder bag. One minor adjustment for comfort and you’ll want to bring the Niko Camera Sling 3.0 everywhere you go. Read More »