Why is LEGO so expensive, A Porsche EV with a solid-state battery?, 11 Raspberry Pi Pico projects, and more

April 4, 2022

Pretty much everyone has played with (or at least seen) a LEGO set at some point, and you may even have some lying around your house somewhere today. The iconic building toy lets you build pretty much anything, and there are even sets with popular characters and franchises, like Star Wars or Harry Potter. 

If you’re tuned in to the world of LEGO even a little bit, you’ve probably wondered why its sets are so dang expensive. I know I have! So why does LEGO charge so much for its sets? And is it really worth the money? Give today’s top story a click to see what we uncovered.

Other Highlights: 

• Porsche is working on an EV version of its popular 911 model, and it might come with a solid-state battery.
• Own a Raspberry Pi Pico? Here are 11 fun and intriguing projects for you to tackle.
• This guy saw an opportunity to turn the 1999 Hot Wheels PC into a top-shelf gaming rig and took it.
• … and so much more – promise me you’ll keep scrolling!

-Suzanne

LEGO is one of the most popular toys of all time. Chances are, you had a set as a kid and may even have a few bricks lying around as an adult. It’s a simple system that offers an almost limitless number of possibilities, but there’s one downside: LEGO is pretty expensive. Read More »

Porsche is already busy electrifying its lineup with models like the 2022 Taycan, and the Porsche Macan SUV will get the all-electric treatment next. However, new reports suggest we could see a Porsche 911 EV in the future with new solid-state battery technology. Read More »

Everyone loves a treasure hunt, and with millions of hidden caches around the world, geocaching is the ultimate treasure-hunting game. These geocaching apps make it easy for kids and adults alike to track down and find caches. Read More »

Nobody wants to drive a car that’s covered in dirt or paint streaks, and it might be time to detail yours. Detailing is tough, but an occasional detailing job can protect your car from permanent stains and streaks, increase windshield and headlight visibility, and maintain your car’s trade-in value. Read More »

When you think about gaming PCs, you likely envision top-notch processors and graphics cards, robust cooling systems, and lightning-fast monitors and peripherals. What you probably don’t envision is a thicc Hot Wheels setup, but maybe you should. This guy did. Read More »

If you’re like us, you’re probably always hunting around for that one cable you need but can never actually find when you need it. This clever “Army Knife of Cables” keychain provides a simple solution to this eternal problem by putting four of the most common cable connector types all in one place. It features USB-C, USB-A, microUSB, and Lightning connectors, in a slim easy-to-use form factor. Plus, the two ends are magnetic and stick to each other so it won’t get stuck on your other keys in your pocket. Convenient and geek-friendly, right?

Get it at Amazon →

In the last few years, Samsung has launched a ton of “Smart Monitors” that feature a high-res display, DeX compatibility, and integrated smart TV software. One model even has a 43-inch screen! But the new Smart Monitor M8 looks like the most practical (and most appealing) implementation of Samsung’s interesting two-in-one desktop display concept. Read More »

2021 saw the launch of the Raspberry Pi Pico, and while it may not pack the same punch as other small computers, the tiny $4 microcontroller still has enough power for an extensive range of applications that are both fun and useful. Read More »

We see people breaking old Guinness World Records and making new ones nearly every day, but how often do robots set new records? An adorable Japanese penguin robot just set a new Guinness World Record for the most skips by a robot in one minute, and we’re impressed. Read More »

That’s not a Mac; it’s a SystemSix desktop calendar! Developed by former Apple software engineer John Calhoun, the SystemSix uses a Raspberry Pi 3, an e-ink display, and a laser-cut acrylic stand to mimic the Macintosh Plus and deliver daily updates on weather and daily tasks. Read More »

In celebration of international fact-checking day (the fakest sounding holiday I’ve ever heard of), Google is adding two new misinformation-busting features to Search. These features are pretty hands-off and will not impact your Search experience, though they may remind you to use some critical thinking skills when reading new stories. Read More »

When Apple started selling a $19 glorified microfiber cloth dubbed the “Polishing Cloth,” it left me with no choice. I had to drop down cash on this thing and give it a full review. Is it magical? Is it a revelation? Can it fix my broken Surface Duo 2? Can it bring about world peace? Man, I hope so. Read More »

Great Scott! The DMC DeLorean is making a comeback in a big way. LEGO just announced a new Back to the Future car set, and this DeLorean build is so cool you’ll want to buy it three times. Read More »

When shopping for a new or used iPhone, you’ll need to keep a vital number in mind: Storage capacity. The storage size of your iPhone will determine how many apps, photos, videos, and other data you can keep locally on your device. Here’s a look at the tradeoffs at work. Read More »

Sixty years ago this month—in April 1962—a group of hobbyists at MIT released the pioneering computer game Spacewar! on the DEC PDP-1, which set the stage for the video game revolution. Here’s a look at its origins and its impact. Read More »