Two dominant weather systems, lasting for an unusually long time, have brought cool southerly winds to the city. Read...

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There are things in this world that you simply wouldn’t expect, like an aircraft carrier with Windows XP, a nuclear weapon control system on floppy discs, or a Commodore 64 as a cash register system in a bakery. While most people replace modern devices after a few years, these technology dinosaurs fight their way through decades–sometimes as faithful helpers, sometimes as potential security risks. Here’s an overview of what are probably the scariest retro technology moments of our time. Further reading: This retro monitor looks like it fell off the OG Enterprise Bitcoin mining with the Commodore 64 A hobbyist has proven that a Commodore 64 can actually mine bitcoins–if you have a lot of time on your hands that is. The 8-bit processor, clocked at 1 MHz, manages just 0.3 hashes per second. By comparison, a graphics card like the RTX 3080 can do 100 million of them. So, if you want to get rich with the C64, you need to be patient and wait about a billion years, to be precise. The legendary Nintendo Game Boy from 1989 can also mine Bitcoins (at least in theory). YouTuber “stacksmashing” has managed to connect the handheld to the internet via a Raspberry Pi Pico and run mining software. However, at 0.8 hashes per second, the Gameboy is barely faster than the C64 and around 125 trillion times slower than a modern ASIC miner. The math is clear. For a single Bitcoin, the Gameboy would have to work longer than the universe exists. Getting rich is out of the question, but it’s still impressive. This car workshop has been using a C64C for 30 years In a workshop in Gdansk, Poland, a Commodore 64C has been running continuously for over 30 years now, helping the mechanics with drive shaft calculations. Not even a flood could stop the computer. The C64C defies time and shows that old technology is sometimes more robust than its modern successors. Only the mechanical fan could capitulate at some point, but until then it will continue to run as if it were still 1986. An American bakery uses the 64 as a POS system A bakery in Indiana has been using the Commodore 64 as a POS system since the 1980s, a literally fitting application for the “bread box,” as the computer is also known in the trade. Modern POS systems often struggle with software updates and occasional failures. The C64, on the other hand, runs reliably and without grumbling, supported by lovingly labelled keys depicting various baked goods. The USA controls nuclear weapons with 8-inch floppy discs Things get even more absurd when it comes to defense. An IBM computer from 1976 still controls the US nuclear force using 8-inch floppy discs as a storage medium. These floppy discs store no less than 80 kilobytes of data, which is less than an average WhatsApp message. Although there are plans to modernize this IT, the fact that nuclear weapons are based on technology from the era of disco music is kind of frightening. Retro flair for the German navy, too The German navy also continues to rely on 8-inch floppy discs to control its systems on its Brandenburg-class frigates. Although these warships, built in the 1990s, have state-of-the-art weapons technology, the data storage could bring tears to the eyes of nostalgic IT fans. There are plans to modernize the systems, but the use of a floppy disk emulator suggests that the old days are not quite over yet. Windows XP on a ship worth billions The British aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth impresses with modern technology–apart from the operating system. It runs Windows XP, which has not been supported by Microsoft since 2014. Although the Royal Navy emphasizes that extensive security measures have been taken, at a cost of £3.5 billion you would somehow expect… something else. The situation is similar on the British nuclear submarines Vanguard, Victorious, Vigilant, and Vengeance, which are still running Windows XP for the operation of a system that controls intercontinental missiles. The British government reassures that the systems are not connected to the internet. However, an update is not planned until 2028. Windows 3.1 paralyzes the airport While we’re on the subject of Windows, let’s talk about the 2015 system failure at the Paris-Orly airport. The reason? A computer running Windows 3.1, an operating system from the early 90s, crashed. The “DECOR” software, which provides pilots with weather data, stopped working and take-offs had to be suspended for safety reasons. Perhaps the computer simply wanted to upgrade to Windows 95? Read...

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At a glanceExpert`s Rating Pros Supports Matter over Thread Lots of access options, including an excellent fingerprint reader App is easy to master and navigate As promised, only takes four screws to install Cons Grinding, whining motor makes for an unpleasant experience Some setup trouble No Wi-Fi built-in Our Verdict U-tec’s Bolt still won’t wany any beauty contests, and while Matter support works well, this lock will be too loud for most houses. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today At CES 2025, U-tec launched its first lock with Matter, the latest installment in an ongoing refresh of the U-Bolt Pro, which we reviewed over four years ago. Now called the Ultraloq Bolt Fingerprint Matter (dropping the “U-” for this line), the big update is Matter over Thread support, along with a few behind-the-scenes enhancements. Besides the Bluetooth and Thread-only Bolt Fingerprint Matter lock that we’re reviewing here, there’s a forthcoming variation that works with Wi-Fi as well as Thread. This point bears repeating: the Bolt Fingerprint Matter we’re looking at now does not have integrated Wi-Fi, and can only communicate with Wi-Fi networks if you purchase the Ultraloq Bridge Wi-Fi Adaptor ($50), which we did not receive for review. Of course, with Matter’s Thread connectivity, you may not need access to Wi-Fi at all. Those unconcerned by the Bolt Fingerprint Matter’s lack of Wi-Fi may yet be perturbed by another issue: the unit’s noisy motor. More on that in a bit. The Ultraloq Bolt Fingerprint Matter has a grinding, wheezing motor, which is loud and alarming and simply unacceptable for home use. Design The Ultraloq Bolt Fingerprint Matter lock arrives alongside other new Ultraloq models, including the standard Bolt Fingerprint, a non-Matter version of the lock that works with Alexa, Google Home, and Samsung SmartThings (a separate Bolt Fingerprint SKU works with Apple Home, too); the Bolt NFC Wi-Fi, an Apple Home-compatible lock that can unlock itself when you hold your iPhone or Apple Watch near the unit; and the upcoming Bolt Mission UWB+NFC, which will work with ultra-wideband networks. The physical design of the Ultraloq Bolt Fingerprint Matter remains about the same as U-tec’s earlier smart locks, and just as divisive: Either you are going to love the squat, all-black exterior escutcheon (just 3 x 3 inches in size), with its 10 physical numeral buttons ringing a physical keyhole and a fingerprint reader, or you’re going to hate it. At best, it looks like something that would work best protecting a closet at the airport, and it remains something I would not really relish having on the entrance to my house. U-tec’s design hasn’t changed in years, for better or for worse. Christopher Null/Foundry Installation U-tec proudly says that the Bolt Fingerprint Matter Edition can be installed by attaching just four bolts, and that bears out: Two bolts connect the exterior escutcheon to an interior frame through the door, and two more bolts mount the interior escutcheon onto that frame. Although the screws on the interior escutcheon are set within very narrow channels that weren’t quite wide enough for my usual screwdriver to easily access, the physical installation proceeded with zero trouble. That’s a big shift from our experience in 2019, as U-tec has fortunately discontinued the need to trim the tailpiece of the lock with a hacksaw and has corrected a few other horribly misguided design mistakes. The lock carries an IP65 weather resistance designation (meaning it should be dust-tight and resistant to water jets from any direction), and U-tec says the lock meets ANSI level 1 standards, though it is not actually certified as such. Power comes courtesy of 8 included AA batteries, which Ultraloq says will last for about a year of typical use. There’s no emergency power port, so make sure you keep one of the included physical keys handy. Setup and Matter configuration Most users won’t need a manual to install the lock, and that’s good, because U-tec doesn’t supply one in the box. An included card rather has a QR code printed on it which promises access to a User Guide, but this in fact takes you to U-tec’s support site, specifically a page featuring various videos for unrelated products. If you came to this review looking for the manual, I dug it up on this page. Once installed, electronic setup can be done through the U-tec app or through the Matter platform of your choice. However, U-tec notes that numerous features are available only if you’re using the “U home” platform, including the ability to create temporary access codes, add fingerprints, and the geofencing auto unlocking feature. I tested the lock with both the U home system and via a Matter connection to iOS and the Home app. (I would recommend only configuring the lock with one platform, as various settings can become contradictory if you have both configured simultaneously.) Thanks to Matter, the lock can be managed through U-tec’s own app, or the platform of your choice. Christopher Null/Foundry My first attempt to connect to the lock via the U home app failed. The app simply couldn’t find the lock, though the Matter connection worked fine. I ended up resetting the lock twice, which eventually got things working well enough for U home to find the lock (though this also forced me to re-create the Matter connection). App control and functionality The U home app isn’t complicated, and helpfully it even automatically calibrates the lock opening direction during the setup process. U home’s authentication system is built around creating users (up to 50), each with configurable access via app, 4- to 8-digit PIN (1 per user), or fingerprint (2 per user). Users can be set as Admin (full control, in addition to the ability to add additional users), Normal User (full-time access via app, PIN, or print), or Temporary User (limited by time/date/day of week, or restricted to opening the lock a finite number of uses). When PINs are entered, the lock supports the addition of extra digits before and/or after the PIN as part of an obfuscation strategy against snoops. Additional lock features are scant, but they include auto-locking (configurable for 10 seconds to 30 minutes) and a geofencing auto-unlock mode, which works better than most. An included magnetic door sensor (the use of which is optional) can inform the lock whether the door is ajar (and prevent auto-locking if it is). Logging is robust and includes both lock and unlock actions, though note that Matter-initiated actions are tagged as “Z-Wave Unlocked” in the log. The physical access features of the lock work well. U-tec has always had great fingerprint reading technology, and this lock continues that streak, even though the location of the reader makes it a little difficult to access. I didn’t have any trouble opening the lock via print or any of the other approved means, although I found the Matter connection often to be slightly slower, taking a couple of extra seconds to open or close the lock. Noise (too much of it, that is) I did have one major complaint, however: The lock has a grinding, wheezing motor, which is loud and alarming and simply unacceptable for home use. Whether locking or unlocking, the Bolt sounded something like a dying animal, which did not instill confidence and made it a non-starter in my house. Specifications Lock type: Deadbolt Case material and finish: Zinc alloy, satin nickel Dimensions (exterior): 3 x 3 x 1.2 inches (HxWxD) Dimensions (interior): 5.4 x 2.9 x 1.3 (HxWxD) Weight: 3.5 pounds Power: 8x AA batteries Connectivity: Bluetooth, Thread Matter compatibility: Yes Should you buy the U-tec Ultraloq Bolt Fingerprint Matter? Kudos to U-tec for getting Matter up and running on its lock, but in 2025, a lock like this should have Wi-Fi built in, without the need for a separate bridge. (Again, a Wi-Fi-enabled version of the Bolt Fingerprint Matter is on the way.) My bigger concern remains the amount of disconcerting noise this lock produces–which is more disturbing the more you use it–and which raises questions, for me at least, about the potential longevity of the system. Read...

For the past five years running, I’ve written an annual check-in on ATSC 3.0 (or “NextGen TV”), the broadcast standard that’s supposed to greatly improve over-the-air TV. Every year, it’s been a story of baby steps. As 2025 gets underway, that story hasn’t really changed. While ATSC 3.0 is starting to deliver more of what it initially promised—most notably big events in HDR—you might still need to go out of your way to get a compatible TV or external tuner box. ATSC 3.0’s interactive elements remain limited as well, with one promising effort having stalled over the last year. More on that later. All of which means that the existing ATSC 1.0 standard, which is supported by nearly all televisions today, will stay viable for years to come. The bigger question is whether over-the-air TV will remain viable along with it. A quick ATSC 3.0 refresher When the broadcast TV industry first announced ATSC 3.0 in 2019, it touted a handful of key benefits: Up to 4K-resolution video High dynamic range (HDR) video Dolby Atmos and DTS:X immersive audio formats Dolby dialog enhancement Additional stations and on-demand video, discovered over the air but delivered over the internet The standard also comes with some pitfalls for viewers: Its internet-connected nature allows broadcasters to collect viewing data and serve targeted ads over the air, and its use of DRM puts new limits on the ability to record local channels. To access ATSC 3.0, your local broadcast stations need to offer it, and you need either a TV or an external tuner box that supports the new standard. But even if you meet those criteria, your local stations might only offer a subset of ATSC 3.0 features. Getting all the pieces into place has been a slog, with only modest progress made each year. Hardware support stalls If you buy a new TV in 2025, there’s a good chance it won’t support ATSC 3.0. Many TV makers only offer it in higher-end sets, and some have even scaled back or halted ATSC 3.0 support after offering it in previous years. Samsung, for instance, stopped shipping ATSC 3.0 tuners in its OLED TVs last year and will exclude them again from its 2025 OLED sets. (The company still offers ATSC 3.0 on its Neo QLED line.) LG won’t be bringing ATSC 3.0 back to its TVs this year either, after dropping support in 2024 sets over a patent dispute. ATSC 3.0 has brought on some new supporters: RCA will offer ATSC 3.0 in its 55- and 65-inch Mini LED TVs for 2025, and Panasonic has included ATSC 3.0 support in the Fire TV OLED and LED sets that debuted late last year. Not much else has changed. While Hisense includes ATSC 3.0 tuners in most (but not all) of its Mini-LED TVs and laser projectors, TCL and Sony reserve the feature for some of their higher-end sets. Shipment projections from the CTA reflect this reality: The tech trade group previously expected 5.5 million ATSC 3.0 TVs to ship in 2024, but the actual figure was around 4 million, and now it expects just 5 million shipments for 2025. If your TV doesn’t support ATSC 3.0, you can access it through an external tuner, but the cost remains high. ADTH sells a NextGen TV tuner for $90, although it requires an internet connection to decrypt ATSC 3.0 channels that use DRM. Zinwell’s tuner with offline DRM support, which is sold by Channel Master, costs more at $149. Anne Schelle, managing director of the Pearl TV broadcast consortium, told me at CES that we may see a sub-$50 tuner, but not until sometime next year. Over-the-air DVR support is limited as well. The most compelling option this year could come from an upstart device brand called MyVelo TV, which plans to launch a $100 Android TV box with ATSC 3.0 playback and DVR features this spring. For now, though, Bitrouter’s ZapperBox M1 is the only complete solution that can play and record encrypted channels. Bitrouter has started shipping satellite boxes for whole-home DVR, but the company’s founder and president, Gopal Miglani, says streaming encrypted channels or recordings from one tuner box to another is still a few months away. The MyVelo TV Premiere box and plug-in ATSC 3.0 tuner.MyVelo TV You can see a list of ATSC 3.0-compatible TVs and tuner boxes on the WatchNextGenTV website. OTA HDR expands 4K remains largely non-existent on ATSC 3.0 channels. Delivering broadcasts at that resolution requires a lot of extra bandwidth, which isn’t feasible while stations are still simulcasting in ATSC 1.0. In the meantime, broadcasters are focusing on HDR, which provides a more vibrant picture by allowing light and dark images to convey more color detail. More than 80 million homes now have access to at least one over-the-air channel with HDR support, and some stations are starting to support either Dolby Vision or HDR10+, both of which provide more accurate color adjustments on a per-scene basis. The upcoming Super Bowl LIX on Fox should be a major showcase for over-the-air HDR, although it won’t be a native HDR broadcast. Instead it’ll be up-converted from standard dynamic range, just like Fox’s live stream on Tubi. (The latter, though, will also be upscaled to 4K, versus 1080p for Fox’s over-the-air broadcast.) The WatchNextGenTV site lets you look up nearby ATSC 3.0 channels with HDR support.Jared Newman / Foundry To see which ATSC 3.0 stations support HDR in your area, check the WatchNextGenTV website. Unfortunately there’s no way to tell which stations offer HDR10+ or Dolby Vision unless your TV provides this information. Waiting for interactivity At the CES trade show last year, a U.K.-based company called Roxi showed off an impressive demo of ATSC 3.0’s interactive features. Using the standard over-the-air channel guide, users could tune into one of Roxi’s live streaming music channels, then flip through row of additional genre-based channel options. Rob Lewis, Roxi’s CEO, said at the time that it was partnering with the major broadcaster Sinclair to launch ATSC 3.0 music channels around the country by that March. One year later, and those plans have not materialized. Sky News reported last year that Roxi was racing to raise money, and was later nearing a deal to sell its assets to a new company called FastStream. (Roxi had previously used the “FastStream” name for its underlying technology.) The company has not responded to requests for comment. For now, ATSC is pointing to other interactivity advancements instead. Spokesperson Dave Arland said that roughly 100 ATSC 3.0 channels now offer some level of interactivity—which can be as simple as local weather forecasts—and pointed to pause-and-rewind features that NBC has been offering on its owned-and-operated stations. ATSC will also begin offering a “starter” application framework that will help more broadcasters offer basic features such as traffic and weather alerts. (It will also help facilitate the aforementioned data collection on people’s viewing habits.) Meanwhile, a firm called GameLoop hopes to deliver casual games through ATSC 3.0 later this year. Still, it’s unclear whether these features will do much to move the needle for ATSC 3.0. Bitrouter’s Gopal Miglani says interactive features aren’t a major priority for the ZapperBox, which doesn’t support them currently, because the demand isn’t there. “Not a single customer asks for them,” he said. “It’s not going to help me sell more boxes.” Should you care about ATSC 3.0? ATSC 1.0 isn’t going away anytime soon. FCC rules require broadcasters to simulcast their main stations using the old standard until at least July 2027, and at the current rate of ATSC 3.0 adoption, an extension seems possible. In the meantime, ATSC 3.0 faces some more existential questions. For instance, if you can stream the Super Bowl for free in 4K HDR on Tubi, why bother with an over-the-air ATSC 3.0 version that doesn’t support 4K (and, depending on tuner hardware, might still require an internet connection)? If the major networks are already delivering breakthrough interactivity in their streaming apps, what more could ATSC 3.0’s interactive channels offer? More importantly, what’s the future for over-the-air TV as networks dial back programming investments and streaming services gobble up more sports rights? Without clear answers to those questions, ATSC 3.0 probably won’t rejuvenate over-the-air TV, but those local broadcasts still have value in their current form. Thus my advice is the same as it’s always been: Go with whatever TV or over-the-air DVR best suits your needs today, whether it supports the new broadcast standard or not. Sign up for Jared’s Cord Cutter Weekly newsletter to get columns like this one every Friday. Read...

What do you think of a cute little security camera that can sit inside your living room, be mounted up on your house, or placed pretty much anywhere else you could imagine? And what if that cute little security camera was just $25 on Amazon? The TP-Link Tapo Indoor/Outdoor C120 is that security camera, and right now it’s on sale for 38 percent off its original $40 MSRP. This tiny cam packs a high-resolution 2K sensor for crisp images, allowing you to see everyone and everything in full detail. It’s just as good in the dark as in the light, too, with full-color night vision capabilities. The C120 has smart AI detection features, able to differentiate between animals, vehicles, and people — and then send you alerts when one or more of them are caught on camera. You’ll know when the mail carrier delivers your next package, and you can even give them delivery instructions using the camera’s built-in two-way audio. As you might tell from its name, the Indoor/Outdoor C120 can go anywhere. Its IP66 weatherproof rating means it can withstand rain, dust, and other weather effects, and it has a magnetic base so you can mount it on anything that’s metallic. Just note that it has a 9.8-foot power cord, so you may need an extension if you mount it outdoors. High-resolution security cameras that look this good rarely come this cheap, so grab this Tapo 2K security camera for $25 on Amazon! This indoor/outdoor security cam with 2K video is a steal for $25Buy now at Amazon Read...

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