The AI Boom Is Fueling a Need for Speed in Chip Networking

The new era of Silicon Valley runs on networking—and not the kind you find on LinkedIn. As the tech industry funnels billions into AI data centers, chip makers both big and small are ramping up innovation around the technology that connects chips to other chips, and server racks to other server racks. Networking technology has…

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Why Are Brown Eggs More Expensive Than White Ones?

It depends on what you think you’re getting. Take free-range eggs. They may cost more because of the way the hens are raised. But the term can be misleading. While “free-range” birds aren’t caged and have more access to the outdoors, the facility in which they’re housed may still be crowded, and the outdoor area…

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Samsung HW-Q990F Soundbar System Review: Glorious Atmos

Most people aren’t using physical media anymore, which is why I spent the majority of my time testing the HW-Q990F with streaming media. I find that Apple TV has the best audio quality of any of the major streaming services, which tracks with my experience testing this bar: Atmos-mixed shows like sci-fi hit Foundation come…

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What You Should Know About Kratom

While kratom is not categorized as an opioid, like heroin and morphine, it can produce opioid-like effects in users, such as relaxation and pain relief. The leaves contain two major psychoactive ingredients, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), that attach to the same parts of the brain as opioids, called mu-opioid receptors. However, kratom is what’s known…

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Talking Carts 3: Buy Now, Pay Greater

Main theme: At the cash register this holiday season, you have more options than ever to pay—cash, credit, or a “buy now, pay later” loan. But be warned: Your choice could end up costing you more in the long run. In this episode of the “Talking Carts” podcast, hosts Tanya Christian (senior home and appliances…

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OpenAI’s Unreleased AGI Paper Could Complicate Microsoft Negotiations

A small clause inside OpenAI’s contract with Microsoft, once considered a distant hypothetical, has now become a flashpoint in one of the biggest partnerships in tech. The clause states that if OpenAI’s board ever declares it has developed artificial general intelligence (AGI), it would limit Microsoft’s contracted access to the startup’s future technologies. Microsoft, which…

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Best Carry-On Luggage Brands

In fact, wheelability and durability—how well zippers, handles, fabric, and other features hold up—are the most prized features in carry-on luggage, according to a survey of 8,168 Consumer Reports members who own carry-ons. And among the 23 luggage brands members reported owning, only two—the premium names Away and Briggs & Riley—excelled in both attributes. “Away…

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Best End-of-the-Year Car Deals

Consumer Reports’ analysts scoured national incentives to help holiday-season car shoppers. We found many models offering significant savings, but to make sure the featured cars represent smart buys, we concentrated on models with a strong Overall Score, factoring road-test performance, owner satisfaction, reliability, and safety. (Learn more about CR car ratings.) Among these good cars,…

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Best Battery-Powered Snow Blowers of 2025

But should you choose a battery snow blower instead of a gas snow blower? “Battery snow blowers are really nipping at the heels of comparably sized gas models in terms of performance, and they offer advantages that gas snow blowers can’t match,” says Dave Trezza, who oversees CR’s snow blower tests. Battery-powered machines start instantly with…

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