Author: Brett Venter

Students of 1980s action movies will be aware of The Running Man, the Arnold Schwarzenegger vehicle based on the Stephen King (okay, Richard Bachman) book of the same name. A trailer has just dropped for a so-called remake, directed by Edgar Wright of Hot Fuzz and Shaun of the Dead fame, but it’s less a remake and more of a book-accurate reimagining. Start Running Man https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KD18ddeFuyM You wouldn’t guess that from the trailer unless you’re a long-time Stephen King-obsessed reader. Watching Glenn Powell as protagonist Ben Richards running into and out of conflict while the jaunty, upbeat soundtrack throbs in…

In a move ripped straight from the kind of science fiction that tends to end badly, scientists have been given the go-ahead to create synthetic human DNA. Called the Synthetic Human Genome (SynHG) Project, its announcement came on the 25th anniversary of the Human Genome Project’s completion. The Human Genome Project was a thirteen-year effort to map the entire human genome, identifying all of the different sections of human DNA to “[accelerate] the study of human biology and [improve] the practice of medicine.” Maybe DNA do that Now, researchers in the UK are taking the next step — creating artificial…

If you’re the recent owner of one of several Anker battery packs, it’s time to get your receipt and gadget out and check whether it’s likely to explode. Or at least set itself on fire. The company recently recalled more than a million of its PowerCore 10000 battery banks in the United States due to a fire risk. Another five models, these sold globally, have since been added to the recall list. Since it’s a global issue, there’s a chance one might be in your house. Cue the TV news Scare Graphics™. Anker’s away (from here) If you’re using one…

If you’re a South African with a budget of R2,000 and a pressing need for a new smartphone, Pep Cell’s new Stylo Quantum is a surprising candidate for your cash. The affordable retailer has been launching its own budget smartphones under the Stylo brand for some time, and this latest one, on paper at least, might be worth considering. If for no other reason than the price tag. Pep Cell has settled on a R1,900 cash price for the Quantum, keeping it below the cost threshold for many potential buyers. It also puts it in direct competition with Samsung’s Galaxy A05, but…

Xiaomi announced new AI Glasses (that’s the product’s actual name) at an event in China this week. The wearable tech is yet another take on smart eyewear, a space currently dominated by Meta’s Ray-Ban (and soon Oakley) partnerships. Before you get too excited, the smart specs are only slated for sale in China at present. There’s no indication when, or even if, they’ll make their way to the rest of the world. But why would you want to plonk a pair of these over your ears? Time to fill your AI Glasses For much the same reason as you’d opt…

Garmin has unveiled its new Quatix 8 smartwatch, a wearable device designed for those who spend most of their time on the water. If you’re less Laird Hamilton and more Captain Jack Sparrow, the new R21,500 ($1,200) device could be what you need to get you into port for some rum. South Africa has already received several of Garmin’s boat-focused wristwear lineup, including the R17,000 Quatix 7, so it’s reasonable to expect it here at some point. It’s currently an overseas-only purchase, but if you own a yacht, you could probably nip over the pond and buy one in the…

Russia’s president, Vladimir Putin, has signed a new law permitting the creation of a new state-owned messaging app that will integrate with the country’s government services. The move is part of an effort to reduce its reliance on apps like WhatsApp (American-owned) and Telegram (founded by Russians but on that government’s (and others’) Naughty List™). In Soviet Russia… oh, wait Details of the eventual app are understandably sketchy, but it will offer similar functions to those it will compete with. It’ll also include unspecified additional functionality “that Telegram and…WhatsApp do not have.” The main drawcard would seem to be government…

If you tuned in yesterday, you would have seen a brief mention of the CRKD Neo S controller in our CRKD Nitro Deck review. Available separately, the two operate as a single functional upgrade if you want them to. Or you could simply use the Neo S as an additional controller for the Nintendo Switch, Mac, or PC. Smart TVs and tablets (or phones) can also benefit from the compact wireless controller. The Neo S — we got the Goat Simulator 3 edition for review — demands about R1,200 for what is a third-party version of the Nintendo Switch Pro…

Stuff recently got its hands on the CRKD Nitro Deck, specifically the Goat Simulator 3 edition, and we’ve been having loads of fun goofing off in the office seriously testing the hardware. Part of the review was conducted using the CRKD Neo S controller (look for that review tomorrow), but we were mostly concerned with CRKD’s grip as a standalone item for this review. Looking at new Nintendo Switch accessories right now might seem counterintuitive, but since the sequel has just launched, there are likely to be loads of players looking to offload the last generation at a reduced price.…

Head into any company’s IT department and you’ll encounter a veritable graveyard of obsolete tech. But what if all those monitors were actually also computers? That’s what the Asus ExpertCenter P400 provides to companies, and to private users who really want to save on desk space. The ExpertCenter P400 is a customisable (if you’re a company) desktop all-in-one running Windows 11 Pro. Orderable in bulk (and to spec) or as single units from Asus, this is what you want on your desk at an office job. It means that a) you don’t have to take your work home and b)…