All posts tagged: Upgrades

Image AI models now drive app growth, beating chatbot upgrades

Image AI models now drive app growth, beating chatbot upgrades

Published by skeptic

Image model releases are driving growth for AI mobile apps, generating 6.5x more downloads than traditional model updates, according to a new report from app intelligence provider Appfigures. This marks a shift from earlier days, when the release of new models powering the conversational experiences drove more demand, alongside the new features like a voice chat interface. For instance, ChatGPT and Gemini each added tens of millions of new downloads after releasing their respective image models, Appfigures found. For Google’s Gemini, the release of its image model Nano Banana drove an additional 22+ million downloads in the 28 days following the introduction of the Gemini 2.5 Flash image model last August. This launch lifted the app’s downloads by more than 4x over that period, the data showed. Image Credits:Appfigures Meanwhile, ChatGPT added more than 12 million incremental installs in the 28 days after the introduction of its GPT-4o image model in March of last year. That’s roughly 4.5x more downloads than it saw for its GPT-4o, GPT-4.5, and GPT-5 model releases, Appfigures pointed out. Other …

5 smart home upgrades renters can actually make without losing their security deposit

5 smart home upgrades renters can actually make without losing their security deposit

Published by skeptic

Finding a place to live can be incredibly stressful. There’s the searching, the visits, the haggling with the landlord on different aspects, and then, of course, there’s the competition you have against other renters or buyers. This can all hinge on what the market looks like as well, as there might be a limited inventory, making it even more angst-inducing. But once you actually get a place, you can start making it your own. This is true for both a home purchase and a rental unit. If you’re renting, you likely have less ability to fully refurnish the place, as your landlord will want you to make it easy to change back if you decide to move out. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t consider setting up a smart home in your rental unit. There are plenty of gadgets that provide upgraded technology without the feeling of permanence. Related I’ve had an Alexa speaker for years — these 5 commands are the only ones I actually use You can also ask Alexa ridiculous questions. Make it …

Motorola’s New Razr Folding Phones Command a Higher Price and Few Upgrades

Motorola’s New Razr Folding Phones Command a Higher Price and Few Upgrades

Published by skeptic

Like clockwork, Motorola is back with a new set of Razr folding flip phones. The formula is the same as last year, with three phones differing in specs and price: the Razr Ultra, Razr+, and Razr. But alongside these models, Motorola is finally launching its first-ever book-style folding phone, the Razr Fold, which it first teased at CES 2026. The company announced the new handsets at an event in Los Angeles, where it also revealed a new pair of Moto Buds 2 Plus wireless earbuds that look eerily like Apple’s AirPods Pro, but in blue; these will retail for $150 and will be available on April 30. Sadly, all of Motorola’s folding flips are getting price increases, in line with what we’re seeing from competitors like Samsung. The Razr Ultra is $1,500, the Razr+ costs $1,100, and the Razr starts at $800—that’s a $200, $100, and $100 price bump over their predecessors, respectively. The new Razr Fold costs $1,900, landing between the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7. Preorders for all …

BYD upgrades one of its top selling EVs with 5-min flash charging

BYD upgrades one of its top selling EVs with 5-min flash charging

Published by skeptic

BYD launched its new Flash Charging system, enabling EV charging in as little as 5 minutes, in luxury vehicles like the Denza Z9 GT. Now, it’s set to roll out to some of its best sellers. BYD’s 5-minute charging rolls out to volume EVs After introducing its new Blade Battery 2.0 and Flash Charging system last month, BYD confirmed the Yangwang U7, an ultra-luxury electric sedan, would be the first vehicle equipped with the new tech. BYD has since launched several new models with the new battery and charging tech, including the new Denza Z9 GT, which will be the first vehicle sold overseas to feature its Flash Charging system. After opening orders for the Denza Z9 GT in Europe last week, starting at €115,000 ($134,500), BYD’s executive vice president Stella Li said the luxury electric shooting brake is “the perfect choice to introduce the principle of ‘Ready in 5, Full in 9, Cold Add 3’ to the world, as we start our global rollout of FLASH Charging in Europe.” Advertisement – scroll for more content With …

Pennsylvania Treasurer Says ‘No’ to Taxpayers Footing M in Security Upgrades at Shapiro’s Home

Pennsylvania Treasurer Says ‘No’ to Taxpayers Footing $1M in Security Upgrades at Shapiro’s Home

Published by Sam Flores

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania’s treasurer refused Thursday to approve payments for more than $1 million in security systems and other upgrades to the private home of Gov. Josh Shapiro, changes that were made after an intruder set fire to the state-owned governor’s residence last year in an attempt to kill the Democrat. The treasurer, Republican Stacy Garrity, said there is no legal authorization to use taxpayer dollars to reimburse contractors for the security upgrades on private property, even the private home of a governor. The Pennsylvania State Police submitted the reimbursement requests to the Treasury Department but “appear to have simply ignored the statutory limits and restrictions on spending and procurement,” Garrity said during a news conference in her offices. The state police have other options to get taxpayer dollars to underwrite the work, which has already been done. The agency could ask lawmakers to explicitly authorize the payments or enter the state’s settlement process for disputes between contractors and state agencies, Garrity said. Garrity is expected to be Shapiro’s main opponent in the …

The essential e-bike accessories—and the upgrades that make every ride better

The essential e-bike accessories—and the upgrades that make every ride better

Published by Jenni Sidey

Sign Up For Goods 🛍️ Product news, reviews, and must-have deals. So you finally chose your electric bike. Now, it’s time to accessorize it. This is where things go from “I have an e-bike” to “this thing is dialed.” First, the must-haves: a helmet that can take a hit, a lock to deter would-be thieves, and a floor pump to keep your ride smooth and fast. Not the flashy stuff, but the gear you’ll be very glad you didn’t skip. Then comes the real fun. Accessorizing your e-bike is part practicality, part personality. You’ve got smart upgrades that make commuting easier, plus extras that are just plain enjoyable. The kind of stuff that makes you want to take the long way home. The more you ride, the more your setup evolves. You’ll start noticing the little things: where you want more comfort, more utility, or just a bit more flair. Whether you’re commuting, cruising, hauling, or stretching rides into full-on outdoor adventures, the right mix of essentials, practical add-ons, and fun extras can completely transform …

6 small home upgrades that actually add value when you sell

6 small home upgrades that actually add value when you sell

Published by skeptic

If you’re getting ready to sell a home, you want to get the most money you can for it. Maybe it’s the perfect time to sell and the market is a seller’s market. Maybe it’s a buyer’s market, so you need to try and get every cent you can for your place. While you may not want to change what you’ve done to the home to make it one, it’s probably smarter to make some concessions and make the home look brand new again. When you’re preparing to put your home on the market, you want to make it look as accessible as possible to appeal to the widest array of people. There are some small upgrades that won’t cost you a lot of money that could pay large dividends when it comes time to choose from different bidders. It’s important to consider them because they could be the difference between a lot of people at an open house and a handful. Related Most smart home beginners waste money on this one device they don’t …

Apple AirPods Max 2 review: The tiniest of upgrades

Apple AirPods Max 2 review: The tiniest of upgrades

Published by skeptic

Apple’s got new headphones in its lineup. Or does it? The new AirPods Max 2 are the first proper upgrade to the company’s first and only set of over-the-ear headphones, which came out in 2020; the revised version in 2024 only got a USB-C port instead of Lightning, and Apple, again, just called them AirPods Max. Now, the AirPods Max 2 are here, but the list of upgrades is once again pretty short. I’ve spent about a week with a pair to see whether these are worth their price; here’s what I found. SEE ALSO: The 12 best headphones of 2026 — we tested the top contenders from Sony, Apple, Bose, and Beats Design, colors, battery life: No changes This is the first time, and possibly the last time, I’m lumping all of these together in a headphone review. The reason is simple: They’re all the same. The design, weight, and dimensions haven’t changed at all. Even the colors on offer are the same: Midnight, Starlight, Blue, Purple, and Orange. I’ve had an old pair …

This bundle quietly upgrades your entire PC experience

This $43 bundle quietly upgrades your entire PC experience

Published by skeptic

TL;DR: This rare Microsoft bundle deal gives you a lifetime license to Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows and Windows 11 Pro for only $42.97 (reg. $418.99) through May 17. $42.97 $418.99 Save $376.02   Looking for an affordable way to make your old PC feel new again? If you don’t have the funds to buy a brand new computer, don’t worry. The Ultimate Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows lifetime license and Windows 11 Pro Bundle is the next best thing, offering your computer a total upgrade for only $42.97 through May 17. Don’t count out your dusty old PC. This Microsoft bundle is here to give it a total facelift for less than $50. It kicks off with a lifetime license to some of the brand’s most popular tools — Microsoft Office, which you’ll pay for once and enjoy without any subscription fees. Mashable Deals By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 …

21 Affordable Menswear Upgrades for Your Next Vacation in 2026

21 Affordable Menswear Upgrades for Your Next Vacation in 2026

Published by Jenni Sidey

How We Test and Review Products Style is subjective, we know—that’s the fun of it. But we’re serious about helping our audience get dressed. Whether it’s the best white sneakers, the flyest affordable suits, or the need-to-know menswear drops of the week, GQ Recommends’ perspective is built on years of hands-on experience, an insider awareness of what’s in and what’s next, and a mission to find the best version of everything out there, at every price point. Our staffers aren’t able to try on every single piece of clothing you read about on GQ.com (fashion moves fast these days), but we have an intimate knowledge of each brand’s strengths and know the hallmarks of quality clothing—from materials and sourcing, to craftsmanship, to sustainability efforts that aren’t just greenwashing. GQ Recommends heavily emphasizes our own editorial experience with those brands, how they make their clothes, and how those clothes have been reviewed by customers. Bottom line: GQ wouldn’t tell you to wear it if we wouldn’t. How We Make These Picks We make every effort to …