Global News: Solar Powered Earbuds? Consider Us Interested!

December 15, 2022

December 15, 2022. National Cupcake Day! Even if it's not someone's birthday or some other special occasion, we still think you should sit down with a good cupcake (or three). We'll just make this your cheat day. Happy Thursday!

⏰ Today's Big Stories... in 30 Seconds

Today We Watched, Read, and Listened to (so you don't have to):

315 articles, 15 podcasts, 20 press releases, 369 tweets, and 22 YouTube videos

1. These New Wireless Headphones Get Their Power From the Sun

Word of the Urbanista Phoenix got out earlier this year, but today marks the first time the earbuds have been available for sale. So, if you're interested in how the solar-charging elements work for something smaller than a pair of over-the-ear headphones, this is your chance. You can pick up a pair for $149.

2. WhatsApp Now Makes It Easy to Call 31 of Your Closest Friends

Meta just launched a fairly robust update for WhatsApp, which includes increasing the total number of call participants to 32, being able to long-press on a contact to mute them, and more. The rest of these features are available now, so go ahead and invite 31 friends to talk about the holidays or whatever.

3. YouTube Now Puts Users in Timeout for Posting Toxic Comments

YouTube is taking another swing at toxic users, and will now warn and timeout those who frequently post nasty comments. The ban is for 24 hours and only stops them from commenting, but YouTube says it's been proven to "reduce the likelihood of users leaving violative comments again." Hope it works!

🦑 Go Deeper

Framework, maker of modular, ultra-repairable laptops, now makes a Chromebook, and Charlie Sorrel wants you to know it could save you quite a bit of money in the long-term. Well, provided you also like ChromeOS.

🎱 By the Numbers

Wait, no Twitter?

Data: we are social

Social media has its share of problems, but we use it everyday anyway. And if the numbers above are to be trusted, people all around the world love using Facebook, YouTube, and WhatsApp. It's actually kind of a nice variety of apps, with the latter two being primarily focused on video and chatting.

🔥 Today's Hot Deal

Phone cameras are great, but there's something about the Panasonic LUMIX mirrorless camera we can't say no to. It's $200 off at Best But right now, making it $599.99, and it should be a great addition to anyone's photography equipment.

Don't Miss This Deal

🤓 Nerd Out

"Now how much Apple hardware is in a PlayStation?" —Jerri Ledford, Senior Editor

Everything in an iPhone is Apple-made, right? Nope! Turns out, the company's been using Sony camera sensors in its iPhones for a while now. Don't believe it? The news comes straight from Apple CEO Tim Cook. (Share on Twitter)

💎 You Know You Want It

M2 > M1

Image: Apple

If you're still rocking a non-M1 MacBook, you gotta know it's time to upgrade, right? Perhaps we could tempt you into getting the latest M2 MacBook Air? It's faster than what you're working with now, and should have more than enough power to get the job(s) done. Plus, you just deserve it, so go grab one!

🎮 Up-Down-A-B-Start

Games are pretty incredible

Video games are art, but there are still a number of people who see them as less than that. Fortunately, there are game developers like Jenova Chen who is still working to further change people's perception of the medium.