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Michael Kan

@michael-kan.bsky.social
145 followers 144 following 90 posts

PCMag Reporter covering tech, cybersecurity, AI and satellite internet. www.pcmag.com/authors/michael-kan

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Michael Kan @michael-kan.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
A new hacking group claims to have stolen customer data from Trump Mobile: www.pcmag.com/news/hackers...
pcmag.com
Hackers: We Stole Data From 3,615 Trump Mobile Customers
Three customers in the leaked file confirm they interacted with Trump Mobile at some point.
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Michael Kan @michael-kan.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
A hacker appears to have hijacked iTorrents[.]org, a public repository for torrents, to spread a new Windows-based malware, according to the antivirus provider Kaspersky. www.pcmag.com/news/itorren...
pcmag.com
iTorrents.org Compromised To Spread Windows Malware, Kaspersky Says
The 'MovieReaper' malware has infected hundreds of users, according to antivirus provider Kaspersky, which traced the attack to iTorrents.org, a site that appears to be compromised.
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Michael Kan @michael-kan.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
If orbital data centers take off, expect to see giant rings in the night sky. A new paper from astronomers warns about the impact. www.pcmag.com/news/if-orbi...
pcmag.com
If Orbital Data Centers Take Off, Brace For Giant Rings In The Night Sky
Scientists are starting to visualize what these space-based data centers would look like over Earth when they'd occupy a special 'sun synchronous orbit,' potentially creating massive artificial rings.
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Joseph Cox @josephcox.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
IMPACT: that company that was offering to buy books for AI companies’ training data — and probably destroy them in the process — says it will no longer offer this service following 404 Media’s exposure of it www.404media.co/ai-company-t...
404media.co
Company Offering Printed Books to Train AI Stops After 404 Media Coverage
Citing backlash, ISBNdb removed its webpages about training AI, denied ever buying, scanning, or selling a book for AI training, and said the site was a "test of market interest."
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Michael Kan @michael-kan.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
The US's ban on foreign-made advanced robotic devices also covers robot vacuums too, the FCC says. www.pcmag.com/news/fcc-ban...
pcmag.com
FCC: Ban on Foreign-Made Robots Includes Robot Vacuums
It's bad news for Chinese robot vacuum manufacturers like Roborock, Ecovacs, and Dreame, which dominate the market. The ban will also ensnare robot lawn mowers.
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Michael Kan @michael-kan.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
Even though astronomers hate it, the FCC has approved Reflect Orbital's plan to launch a controversial space mirror satellite to reflect sunlight to Earth after dark: www.pcmag.com/news/fcc-app...
pcmag.com
FCC Approves Reflect Orbital's Space Mirror Satellite That Astronomers Hate
The FCC says the most controversial aspect of Reflect Orbital's Earendil-1 satellite, the giant mirror, falls out of its authority since the regulator mainly focuses on radio spectrum.
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Michael Kan @michael-kan.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
The FCC is is waiving a July 30 deadline for Amazon to deploy half of its Leo satellite internet constellation, offering relief to the upcoming Starlink competitor. www.pcmag.com/news/fcc-giv...
pcmag.com
FCC Gives Amazon Leo a Reprieve on Satellite Launch Deadline, With One Condition
The FCC was not swayed by complaints from SpaceX, which said Amazon was asking for 'special treatment' to miss a July deadline to launch half of a 3,232-satellite constellation.
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Michael Kan @michael-kan.bsky.social · 16/05/2026
Inflation comes to Starlink as it introduces new price increases: www.pcmag.com/news/starlin...
pcmag.com
Starlink Raises Prices, Adding $5 to $10 On Monthly Plans
SpaceX is justifying the price increase, saying it'll support improvements to Starlink. Even the Standby Mode costs more, doubling to $10 per month.
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Michael Kan @michael-kan.bsky.social · 09/05/2026
The FCC’s bans on foreign-made Wi-Fi routers and drones quietly set an expiration date on their software updates. But the Commission has decided to extend the cutoff from next year to 2029. www.pcmag.com/news/fcc-ext...
pcmag.com
FCC Extends Update Deadline for Foreign-Made Routers, Drones Until 2029
Previously, foreign-made routers and drones were only allowed to receive software updates until early 2027, potentially leaving them vulnerable to hacking.
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Michael Kan @michael-kan.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
SpaceX's Starlink now mentions a "travel registration" policy for international use that requires the customer to submit a copy of their passport and a live portrait selfie. Likely an effort to stop illegal activities. www.pcmag.com/news/new-sta...
pcmag.com
New Starlink Policy Requires Passport Check, 'Live Portrait' for International Use
Starlink.com now mentions a 'travel registration' policy for international use that requires the customer to submit a copy of their passport and a live portrait selfie.
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Michael Kan @michael-kan.bsky.social · 28/04/2026
SpaceX's Starlink will restrict a little-known, but accurate, location feature that boat owners use to counter GPS jamming and spoofing around the Red Sea. They're urging the company to reconsider. www.pcmag.com/news/starlin...
pcmag.com
Starlink to Drop Tech That Helps Beat GPS Spoofing. Maritime Users Are Alarmed
SpaceX will restrict a little-known, but accurate, location feature that boat owners use to counter GPS jamming and spoofing around the Red Sea. They're urging the company to reconsider.
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Michael Kan @michael-kan.bsky.social · 17/04/2026
With the Federal Communications Commission banning foreign-made Wi-Fi routers and drones, should we expect restrictions on more product categories, including phones and laptops? www.pcmag.com/news/is-the-...
pcmag.com
Is the FCC's Foreign-Made Router Ban Only the Beginning?
Experts are starting to wonder whether the FCC and the Trump administration will ban other foreign-made electronics. Might it include smartphones and PCs?
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Michael Kan @michael-kan.bsky.social · 14/04/2026
Netgear is one of two companies to score the first exemption to the FCC's foreign-made Wi-Fi router ban: www.pcmag.com/news/netgear...
pcmag.com
Netgear Scores the First Exemption From the FCC's Foreign-Made Router Ban
The reprieve lasts until Oct. 1, 2027, and covers consumer mesh, mobile, and standalone routers.
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Michael Kan @michael-kan.bsky.social · 23/03/2026
The US's FCC just banned the sale of foreign-made Wi-Fi routers. But the order only applies to new models, rather than existing products. Still, it looks like the White House is trying to force router vendors to make their products in the US: www.pcmag.com/news/fcc-jus...
pcmag.com
The FCC Just Banned the Sale of New Wi-Router Models Made Outside US
The surprising order means any new Wi-Fi router models sold in the country must be US-made, or receive an exemption from the Pentagon or Homeland Security Department.
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Michael Kan @michael-kan.bsky.social · 23/03/2026
SpaceX finally revealed what these orbiting data center satellites will look like. It turns out each one will be longer than the International Space Station. www.pcmag.com/news/musk-of...
pcmag.com
Musk Offers Sneak Peek at Orbiting Data Centers. They're Bigger Than the ISS
The SpaceX CEO reveals renderings of the upcoming satellites, which feature an exceptionally long solar array, and teases a 'Terafab' factory to produce cutting-edge chips for SpaceX and Tesla.
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Michael Kan @michael-kan.bsky.social · 19/03/2026
Not to be outdone by SpaceX, Blue Origin has filed its own plans to launch orbiting data centers using a constellation of 51,600 satellites. www.pcmag.com/news/blue-or...
pcmag.com
Blue Origin Joins the Race for Orbital Data Centers With 51K Satellite Plan
Not to be outdone by SpaceX, Blue Origin has filed its own plans to launch orbiting data centers using a constellation of 51,600 satellites.
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Michael Kan @michael-kan.bsky.social · 17/03/2026
Well, I liked DLSS 5... www.pcmag.com/news/nvidia-...
pcmag.com
We Tried Nvidia's DLSS 5: Is It Just an AI Image Filter, or the Future of PC Gaming?
Plenty of unknowns circle around Nvidia's upcoming DLSS 5, just announced and demoed at GTC 2026. But it looks to offer the biggest leap in graphics we've seen in a long while.
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Reposted by Michael Kan
pcmag.com @pcmag.com · 13/03/2026
The agency's Seattle division issued an alert and asked potential victims to contact the office.
bit.ly
Did a Steam Game Give Your PC Malware? The FBI Wants to Know
The agency's Seattle division issued an alert and asked potential victims to contact the office. "If you and/or your minor dependent(s) were victimized from installing one of these games or have information relevant to this investigation, please fill out this short form," it says.
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Will Greeenwald @presocial.network · 10/03/2026
It's Mario Day so I ranked the best Mario games you can play on the Switch. Am I a coward? Am I brave? The correct answer, of course, is that I am both brave and a genius. www.pcmag.com/picks/the-be...
pcmag.com
It's Mario Day! I Rank the 10 Best Super Mario Games of All Time
This Mario Day, join me in respecting the plumber by debating which titles in his rich catalog are best—am I wrong?
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Michael Kan @michael-kan.bsky.social · 07/03/2026
Amazon says SpaceX's proposed 1 million-satellite constellation "would take centuries" to deploy as astronomers and others also call on the FCC to deny Elon Musk's orbital data center plan. www.pcmag.com/news/amazon-...
pcmag.com
Amazon Urges FCC to Deny SpaceX Plan to Launch 1 Million Satellites
Amazon says 'deploying the proposed million-satellite constellation would take centuries' as astronomers and others also call on the FCC to deny SpaceX's orbital data center plan.
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Michael Kan @michael-kan.bsky.social · 04/03/2026
Sony seems to have a serious security gap in PlayStation customer support that can bypass the two-factor and passkeys, letting hackers hijack user accounts. www.pcmag.com/news/man-spe...
pcmag.com
Man Spent $20,000 on PlayStation Games. He Lost It All to a Security Loophole
Scammers are exploiting a security gap in the PlayStation Network to hijack accounts; I 'hacked' my own account in about 30 minutes. Here's what's happening and why Sony's not helping.
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Ziff Davis Creators Guild @zdcreatorsguild.bsky.social · 17/02/2026
Today, we sent a supermajority vote of no confidence to Ziff Davis General Manager, Kate Gutman. Here’s why. (1/7)
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Michael Kan @michael-kan.bsky.social · 14/02/2026
SpaceX's vision for a one-million-satellite orbital data center is facing opposition from a prominent anti-light-pollution group, which is urging its 193,000 supporters to push back. www.pcmag.com/news/spacexs...
pcmag.com
SpaceX's Plan for 1 Million Satellites Faces Light Pollution Backlash
DarkSky International and the American Astronomical Society are urging people to tell the FCC to reject SpaceX's ambitious orbital data center plan.
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Reposted by Michael Kan
pcmag.com @pcmag.com · 06/02/2026
"Have you ever used ChatGPT or Claude?"
bit.ly
Trump Has Never Used ChatGPT, But Says AI Will Be the 'Greatest Producer' of Jobs
"Have you ever used ChatGPT or Claude?" NBC News' Tom Llamas asked the president in a recent White House sit-down.
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Michael Kan @michael-kan.bsky.social · 31/01/2026
That's a lot of satellites... SpaceX's orbital data center push could span up to 1 million satellites: www.pcmag.com/news/spacex-...
pcmag.com
SpaceX Eyes 1 Million Satellites For Orbital Data Center Push
Not just thousands. In an FCC filing, the company mentions deploying up to a staggering 'one million satellites' in orbits ranging from 500 kilometers to 2,000km.
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Michael Kan @michael-kan.bsky.social · 21/01/2026
Blue Origin announces its own Starlink competitor: www.pcmag.com/news/blue-or...
pcmag.com
Blue Origin Plans a Faster Starlink Competitor In 'TeraWave'
Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin is promising speeds up to 6Tbps. However, the satellite internet system is meant for enterprise and government customers, rather than consumers.
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Michael Kan @michael-kan.bsky.social · 16/01/2026
Even Starlink wants users' data for AI training, and by default: www.pcmag.com/news/starlin...
pcmag.com
Even Starlink Wants Your Data for AI Model Training. How to Opt Out
SpaceX uses your data to train its machine learning and AI models and might share that with partners who 'help us develop AI-enabled tools that improve your customer experience.'
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Michael Kan @michael-kan.bsky.social · 11/11/2025
Asking ChatGPT about sex dolls or abortion? Be careful, marketers are peeking at your prompts: www.pcmag.com/news/ask-cha...
pcmag.com
Asking ChatGPT About Affairs or Abortion? Be Careful, Marketers Are Peeking at Your Prompts
Browser extensions are potentially funneling your most personal queries to a company selling market insights about chatbot activity.
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Michael Kan @michael-kan.bsky.social · 16/09/2025
No signal? T-Mobile's cellular Starlink let me hold a video call over WhatsApp anyways: www.pcmag.com/news/i-teste...
pcmag.com
I Tested Video Chats on T-Mobile's Cellular Starlink, and It Was Pretty Mind-Blowing
On a remote beach in Northern California, my Pixel 10 connected to satellites 200 miles overhead, allowing me to make video calls on WhatsApp, post tweets, and even go live on X.
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emilyforlini.bsky.social @emilyforlini.bsky.social · 05/09/2025
In the "weird PSA" category www.pcmag.com/news/scrolli...
pcmag.com
Scrolling While Pooping? TikTok Toilet Binges Might Raise Your Hemorrhoid Risk
Smartphone use on the toilet was associated with a 46% increased risk of hemorrhoids.
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Michael Kan @michael-kan.bsky.social · 22/08/2025
Will be very interesting to see how US tariff policy on foreign chips plays out after Trump announces deal to own 10% stake in Intel: www.pcmag.com/news/trump-i...
pcmag.com
Trump: Intel Agreed to Give US Government 10% Stake in the Company
'They’ve agreed to do it. And I think it’s a great deal for them,' Trump said today. Commerce Secretary Lutnick later tweeted: 'The United States of America now owns 10% of Intel.'
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Michael Kan @michael-kan.bsky.social · 20/08/2025
Trump Mobile has posted a new image of the T1 phone. But the picture might simply be a rushed Photoshop job. www.pcmag.com/news/trump-m...
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Michael Kan @michael-kan.bsky.social · 18/08/2025
SpaceX is trying to block Louisiana’s plan to use over $400 million for fiber installations, instead of Starlink, after the company protested a similar proposal in Virginia. www.pcmag.com/news/spacex-...
pcmag.com
After Virginia, SpaceX Also Protests Louisiana's 'Wasteful' Fiber Plans
SpaceX says it could provide satellite service across the state for less than $100 million. However, most of the BEAD funding is going to fiber installations, which can deliver gigabit speeds.
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Michael Kan @michael-kan.bsky.social · 14/08/2025
SpaceX vs. Virginia: The company is protesting the state's $613 million BEAD funding plan to expand high-speed internet access, accusing Virginia of deliberately denying a larger slice of the subsidies to Starlink. www.pcmag.com/news/spacex-...
pcmag.com
SpaceX Slams Virginia for Overlooking Starlink in State's Broadband Funding
SpaceX is calling on Virginia to revise its BEAD funding proposal. The company is also urging the Commerce Department to intervene and reject the state's plan.
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Michael Kan @michael-kan.bsky.social · 11/08/2025
National Public Data is back with new owners, joining the ranks of other creepy, people-finding services. Here's how to get your profile removed from the site. www.pcmag.com/news/site-be...
pcmag.com
Site Behind Major SSN Leak Returns With Detailed Data on Millions: How to Opt Out
National Public Data is back with new owners, joining the ranks of other creepy, people-finding services. Here's how to get your profile removed from the site.
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Michael Kan @michael-kan.bsky.social · 08/08/2025
Despite an overhaul to the BEAD program, Virginia will use most of its funds for fiber installations, not satellite. Still, Starlink and Amazon's Project Kuiper received over $7.7 million to serve 12,000 underserved locations: www.pcmag.com/news/starlin...
pcmag.com
Starlink Nabs Federal Broadband Funds, But Fiber Is Still the Big Winner
Despite an overhaul to the BEAD program, Virginia will use most of its funds for fiber installations, not satellite. In the coming week, we'll find out if other states follow suit.
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IGN Creators Guild @ignunion.bsky.social · 04/08/2025
Today, IGN laid off eight extremely valuable members of our union and workforce via directive from our parent company, Ziff Davis. This, after two incredibly successful live events IGN Live and SDCC, and yet another corporate acquisition. Please take a moment to read and share our full statement:
Today, IGN Entertainment announced that it would be laying off eight members of the IGN Creators Guild.

This is 12% of our bargaining unit, and comes just days after our sister union, the Ziff Davis Creators Guild, underwent similar layoffs impacting 15% of their members. It also comes just months after our multibillion-dollar parent company, Ziff Davis, instituted a company-wide buyout that shrunk our unit numbers, with the express intent of avoiding future layoffs. And it comes just a little over one year after three of our members were laid off almost immediately after our union went public.

The company has told us that the reason for this layoff stems from a Ziff Davis-mandate to cut costs despite several quarters in a row of year-over-year revenue increases, to which IGN Entertainment responded by coming for our members' jobs. This is perplexing to us, as we are told again and again that IGN Entertainment has had a tremendously successful year thus far thanks to their hard work. In just the last few months, our members have been absolutely essential to major events and livestreams, including San Diego ComicCon, Summer of Gaming, and IGN Live. Every single person impacted today was involved in and critical to the success of those events.

Meanwhile, IGN Entertainment continues to spend money on costly acquisitions, only to turn around and gut those companies in the same way it is cutting away at IGN itself. For instance, last year, it acquired Gamer Network, and almost immediately laid off a number of staff critical to making those sites successful. The company has not responded to the union's questions about whether its budget for future acquisitions is being reconsidered as a cost-saving measure alongside these other apparently necessary personnel cuts.

At a time when it is more necessary than ever to support its creators, IGN Entertainment is choosing to eliminate the individuals who ensure IGN remains competitive as generative AIthreatens our reach. We have been told that expert opinion pieces, original interviews, and work that leverages our staff's deep knowledge of gaming, tech, and entertainment are all essential to combating AI summarization and regurgitation of our work. Management has responded by cutting several individuals who do that exact work, as well as others whose job it is to ensure that these written and video pieces are published in a speedy manner — another component of combating AI we're told is critical.

This continued cycle of repeated, aggressive cuts to our staff and being asked to do more with less, only for management to continue to spend on new business it isn't interested in sustaining cannot continue. We will enforce our interim agreement that guarantees better severance and other protections to laid off members, as well as demand additional support for those impacted. We will continue to bargain over our first contract with the aim of enshrining even better protections against further layoffs, working conditions continuously degraded by understaffing, and the encroachment of generative AI. And we won't stop fighting to ensure IGN remains the best destination for trustworthy, original, exciting, and creative work covering video games, entertainment, and tech.

While IGN Entertainment management may not value us, we value one another and the incredible work we can do together. Behind the articles, videos, social posts, playlists, and maps of IGN are human beings, not just numbers on a spreadsheet to be pushed around when some number at the top isn't big enough. Without us, there is no IGN.
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Michael Kan @michael-kan.bsky.social · 10/07/2025
SpaceX has filed a financial statement that offers some hints about how much money Starlink is making: www.pcmag.com/news/how-muc...
pcmag.com
How Much Does Starlink Make? This Document Offers a Glimpse
One analyst says the financial statement raises questions about the economics of Starlink and the costs of maintaining the satellite internet system.
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Michael Kan @michael-kan.bsky.social · 01/07/2025
Over a six-month stretch, close to 500 Starlink satellites burned up in the Earth’s atmosphere as SpaceX retired its aging hardware. www.pcmag.com/news/mass-bu...
pcmag.com
Mass Burn: SpaceX Deorbits Nearly 500 Starlink Satellites in 6 Months
The company deorbited about 2.6 satellites per day between December and May, causing them to burn up in the atmosphere. It's unclear how or if this might impact the environment.
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Michael Kan @michael-kan.bsky.social · 17/06/2025
Tesla Takedown movement starts targeting Elon Musk's Starlink business: www.pcmag.com/news/tesla-t...
pcmag.com
Tesla Takedown Movement Urges T-Mobile to Kill Cellular Starlink Partnership
The protest movement says the upcoming T-Satellite service is effectively 'funding Elon Musk’s attacks on democracy and his support of far-right authoritarian governments.'
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Michael Kan @michael-kan.bsky.social · 17/06/2025
Trump Mobile claims the T1 phone will be American-made. But observers and critics are doubtful the company can pull this off, expecting the company to instead source the device from China: www.pcmag.com/news/mobile-...
pcmag.com
Mobile Experts Skeptical of Trump 'T1' Phone Made-in-America Claims
The team behind Trump Mobile says the T1 phone will be manufactured in three US states. But the fledging carrier is light other details, including if any components come from Asia.
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Michael Kan @michael-kan.bsky.social · 06/06/2025
The Trump admin officially makes changes to $42 billion BEAD program: The changes strip out the fiber preference for 'technology neutrality,' which could benefit Starlink. Critics say the US has 'betrayed' rural America. www.pcmag.com/news/us-unve...
pcmag.com
US Unveils 'Critical Reforms' to Broadband Funding: Here's Why Some Hate the Plan
Changes to the BEAD program strip out the fiber preference for 'technology neutrality,' which could benefit satellite and wireless providers. Critics say the US has 'betrayed' rural America.
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Michael Kan @michael-kan.bsky.social · 05/06/2025
Some took a day off to line up for the Switch 2 ahead of tonight's launch. Another guy was remotely working outside the Best Buy store while waiting in line: www.pcmag.com/news/no-work...
pcmag.com
'No Work Today': Diehard Nintendo Fans Line Up Early For Switch 2
In San Francisco, Nintendo fans who couldn't secure a pre-order for the Switch 2 were ready to wait several hours to nab the console from the local Best Buy store.
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Michael Kan @michael-kan.bsky.social · 04/06/2025
Some people lining up at Best Buy San Francisco store, hoping to get a switch 2 tonight.
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Michael Kan @michael-kan.bsky.social · 04/06/2025
At Nintendo San Francisco store, where 70 people have lined up for a prelaunch event for Switch 2. People will get the chance to demo the console.
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Michael Kan @michael-kan.bsky.social · 29/05/2025
Got to check out Micro Center's new store in Silicon Valley. It was a PC builder's dream: www.pcmag.com/news/pc-buil...
pcmag.com
A PC Builder's Wonderland: Inside Micro Center's New Silicon Valley Store
Ahead of Friday's grand opening, I got an in-person look at the latest GPUs, components, and other niche gear at the 40,000-square-foot Santa Clara location.
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Michael Kan @michael-kan.bsky.social · 24/04/2025
T-Mobile is lowering the price of its cellular Starlink service to $10 per month as the carrier prepares to launch the satellite service in July. www.pcmag.com/news/t-mobil...
pcmag.com
T-Mobile Lowers Price for Cellular Starlink as Satellite Competition Heats Up
When T-Mobile launches support for cellular Starlink in July, customers on all carriers will pay $5 to $10 less per month than originally planned.
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Chandra Steele @chandrasteele.bsky.social · 22/04/2025
An Earth Day special. My first piece as a contributor to MC News. Many thanks to @danackerman.bsky.social www.microcenter.com/site/mc-news...
microcenter.com
How to Recycle a Laptop or Desktop Without Throwing Away Your Privacy
Recycle or donate your old PC for Earth Day with Micro Center.
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Michael Kan @michael-kan.bsky.social · 11/04/2025
Trump's 145% tariff on Chinese imports might cause a graphics shortage, although things could change if a trade deal is struck. I also wonder if there might be some loopholes in the tariff policy www.pcmag.com/news/new-gpu...
pcmag.com
A New GPU Shortage? Suppliers Slow Down Shipments Amid Tariff Uncertainty
Custom PC maker Puget Systems breaks down how the 145% tariffs on Chinese imports will affect the industry and threaten to create a new graphics card shortage.
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Michael Kan @michael-kan.bsky.social · 04/04/2025
In Canada, anger at the Trump administration has made Elon Musk persona non grata, which has led to in-person confrontations and online insults for Starlink installers. www.pcmag.com/news/sales-a...
pcmag.com
Sales Are Down, Threats Are Up: Starlink Installers Hit by Anti-Musk Backlash
In Canada, frustration with the Trump administration has made Elon Musk persona non grata, which has led to in-person confrontations and online insults for Starlink installers.
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