The bike also has a front fork with 80 millimeters of suspension, so accidentally piloting all 60 pounds of it into a pothole won’t pitch you head over heels. It’s fully loaded, with integrated lights, fenders, and a kickstand. And finally, the Vida E+ is UL-certified, so it won’t catch on fire while charging in your garage. The RideControl app lets you check your bike’s electronic systems for problems, lock your bike, and, if you have a bike mount, use it for rudimentary navigation.

Quality Components

Riding the Vida E+ feels like riding a couch, but in a good way. This is a bike that will do everything for you, without your having to think about it very much (unless you’re trying to maneuver it between two cars in your driveway). The step-through frame makes it easy to get on or off. The sit-up geometry and ergonomic handlebars are incredibly comfortable; I can ride with one hand, slowly pedaling at 9 mph while biking my kids home from school, and they blabber on about whatever.

Photograph: Adrienne So

Because this is a bike made by Giant, the components are very nice, for a reasonable price. I can easily read the display in high-glare natural sunlight. The fork is made by Suntour; while I would definitely not take this bike on trails, I hit many potholes, both on purpose and not, without dumping myself. The brakes are high-performance Tektro four-piston hydraulic disc brakes, which is also a little unusual at the price point. You don’t have to worry about being able to make quick stops on hills or with a heavy load.

The Shimano shifters work well with the SyncDrive motor to climb steep hills. I did find that the buttons are not terribly easy to push, and I also tended to mix up the headlight and power buttons at the top, which my kids find annoying when they’ve taken off and I’m still struggling to get a 60-pound bike moving without assistance.

The new  25th Anniversary Vinylphyle restoration of Erykah Badu’s chart-toping 2000 album Mama’s Gun is an excellent reissue which should be of interest to fans of vocal jazz and modern soul sounds as well as analog loving audiophiles.

A platinum seller with three hit singles including her first top 10, this is a super chill, fluid grooving and melodic song cycle often categorized as “neo-soul” and bridging pop, soul, funk, jazz, hip hop and even singer-songwriter pop. While I’ve read numerous references to Billie Holiday in discussing Ms. Badu’s vocal style, I also hear strong Dinah Washington flavors by way of Minnie Ripperton and Chaka Kahn (which are some pretty great touchstones as well).  

As with other Vinylphyle releases in this top-notch new series from Universal Music, Mama’s Gun was pressed at RTI — renown as one of the best vinyl manufacturing facilities in the world. The 180-gram vinyl is dark and well centered. The production quality elements throughout are also outstanding, the album cover is made of heavy cardboard stock akin to a vintage jazz album from 1960s on Verve or Blue Note. Each disc comes housed in an audiophile-grade plastic lined inner-sleeve.  

From Universal’s udiscovermusic website we’ve also gleaned some additional information which reveals that this release is more than “just” a reissue but a genuine restoration of note for fans seeking the best quality version of a favorite album.

There we learn: 

“There are no sequenced analog masters for Mama’s Gun. The original 44.1kHz/16-bit files, with the original CD mastering and limiting, have been the only source for all digital and vinyl reissues—until now. The record was reassembled and rebuilt digitally from 14 individual track tapes, newly transferred in 96kHz/24-bit, in order to create the first true remaster of this record since it came out 25 years ago.”

In the new liner notes for the album Ms. Badu adds insights into her passion for analog at the crossroads of digital: “With this remastering, we’ve carefully blended analog warmth with digital precision. It’s breathtaking to hear the subtleties of each layer come alive in a new way, making the project resonate even more powerfully.”

Indeed, what a lush round sound Mama’s Gun delivers! Largely played by live musicians in top studios including New York’s iconic Electric Lady (which was created by Jimi Hendrix), no less than The Roots’ Questlove is featured on drums on many of the tracks.  

It is haunting hearing “In Love with You” which features vocal contributions from Stephen Marley — Bob Marley’s second son — supported mostly by lovely softly strummed nylon string acoustic guitar. Ms. Badu’s  hit “Bag Lady” (#6 Billboard Top 100) was co-written with soul legend Issac Hayes and received two Grammy nominations that year. “Cleva” — which features Roy Ayers on Vibraphone, feels almost like a lost Stevie Wonder tune. 

if you ever liked early Meshell Ndegeocello albums like her 1999 masterwork Bitter or even newer artists like New Orleans’ Tank & The Bangas, you might well enjoy Mama’s Gun. Highly recommended. 

Universal’s Vinylphyle series 2LP release of Erykah Badu’s Mama’s Gun is currently exclusively available via udiscovermusic for $54.98.

Mark Smotroff is a deep music enthusiast / collector who has also worked in entertainment oriented marketing communications for decades supporting the likes of DTS, Sega and many others. He reviews vinyl for Analog Planet and has written for Audiophile Review, Sound+Vision, Mix, EQ, etc.  You can learn more about him at LinkedIn.

Intel said the agreement is reflective of a strong partnership with Apollo, as well as the organisation’s role in the age of AI.

US technology company Intel has plans to repurchase a 49pc stake of the Leixlip, Kildare Fab 34 manufacturing facility, via a partnership with asset manager Apollo Global Management. The deal which will be valued at $14.2bn is expected to be funded through cash on hand and proceeds from the issuance of new debt of approximately $6.5 bn. 

With work beginning in 2019, Fab 34 was designed to be an advanced semiconductor manufacturing facility. 

There has been significant investment in the plant over the years with the organisation hitting several important milestones and currently it is a fabrication facility for products utilising the Intel 4 and Intel 3 process technologies, for example Intel Core Ultra and Intel Xeon 6 processors.

In 2024, it was decided that Intel would sell a 49pc stake in Fab 34 to Apollo Global Management.

At the time, David Zinsner, the chief financial officer at Intel, said that the $11bn deal would give the chip maker the “additional flexibility to execute our strategy as we invest to create the world’s most resilient and sustainable semiconductor supply chain”. Intel also said it would be retaining full ownership and control of Fab 34 and its assets. 

Commenting on the recent announcement Zinsner said, “Our 2024 agreement was the right structure at the right time and provided Intel with meaningful flexibility, enabling us to accelerate critical initiatives. Today, we have a stronger balance sheet, improved financial discipline and an evolved business strategy.”

Apollo Partner Jamshid Ehsani added, “Our partnership with Intel began at an important stage in the execution of its advanced manufacturing roadmap, where our long-term strategic capital played a meaningful role in accelerating the production of next-generation chip technology.

“Flexibility and alignment are core to how we approach relationships as a long-term, solutions-oriented capital partner, and we are pleased to facilitate this transaction in support of Intel’s evolving strategic and operational priorities.”

Don’t miss out on the knowledge you need to succeed. Sign up for the Daily Brief, Silicon Republic’s digest of need-to-know sci-tech news.

Samsung already has its own slim magnetic case for the Galaxy S26 Ultra, so most people won’t think twice about alternatives.

But choosing the right Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra case isn’t always as straightforward as it seems. Some cases look great on day one but end up feeling too smooth, slightly bulky, or just awkward to use after a few days. Thinborne is still a thin magnetic case, but it takes a slightly different approach.

This review focuses on how it feels in real use, and how it compares to Samsung’s own option.

Thinborne Overview of Features

It helps to look at what Thinborne actually offers and how those features translate in real use.

Material and Build

Thinborne uses 600D aramid fiber, which you’ll usually see in lightweight, high-strength materials. You’ll notice how it feels:

• It’s very light
• It feels firm rather than flexible
• The surface has a subtle texture

At 0.90 mm thin, it doesn’t add much bulk. The phone still feels close to how it does without a case.

What makes it different from typical cases is the structure. It doesn’t have that soft, slightly rubbery feel you get from silicone. It’s more rigid, almost like a thin shell that snaps into place. Over time, silicone can start to feel sticky or collect dust – this doesn’t.

MagSafe Compatibility

Like most Galaxy S26 Ultra cases, Thinborne includes built-in magnets since the phone itself doesn’t have them. In everyday use, that means:

• Chargers snap into place quickly
• Car mounts hold steady
• Wallets and stands attach cleanly

The experience is straightforward, and everything lines up as expected (and it stays in place).

One thing that helps with the setup is the case’s rigidity. Since it doesn’t flex much, the alignment stays consistent. You don’t get that slight shift you sometimes notice with softer cases.

Available Colors

Thinborne keeps the color options simple:

• Black
• Royal Crimson
• Wild Navy

All three use the same woven finish, so the feel doesn’t change – only the color does. The tones are muted and don’t draw too much attention.

Thinborne Thin Phone Case vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Slim Magnet Case

Samsung’s Slim Magnet Case is the most direct comparison. Both cases fall into the same general category: thin, lightweight, and magnetic.

Samsung doesn’t list an exact thickness, but it’s positioned as a slim case. What we do know is that it weighs 24 grams, making it a bit heavier than Thinborne, which weighs around 20 grams.

Here’s how they compare:

As you can see, Thinborne and Samsung look similar. In use, however, the differences can be noticed:

• Grip – Thinborne has a bit more texture, so it feels more secure in your hand. Samsung’s case is smoother, which can feel slightly slippery.
• Weight – The difference isn’t huge, but the lighter feel can be noticeable over time – especially on a large phone like the S26 Ultra.
• Material feel – Thinborne feels more solid and structured. Samsung’s case feels more like a standard slim case.

Pricing and Availability

Thinborne and Samsung are priced almost the same, so cost isn’t really the deciding factor here.

Thinborne comes in at $69.69, while Samsung’s Slim Magnet Case is slightly higher at $69.99. The difference is minimal, and in practice, both sit in the same premium range for thin magnetic cases.

Where they differ is availability. Thinborne is sold through its official website and is also available on Amazon, which gives you a bit more flexibility when buying. It typically includes extras like a tempered glass screen protector as well.

Samsung’s case is easier to find overall. It’s available through Samsung’s store and most major retailers, making it a more convenient option if you prefer to buy locally or through familiar channels.

At this price point, it really comes down to which case fits your preferences better, not which one is cheaper.

Wrap Up

Thinborne keeps things simple, and that’s really the point. It’s built as a thin phone case that doesn’t change how the Galaxy S26 Ultra feels in your hand. The lighter weight, subtle texture, and rigid build all come together in a way that feels easy to live with day to day.

Samsung’s Slim Magnet Case still does what it’s supposed to. It’s reliable, widely available, and works well with magnetic accessories. But if you care about how your phone actually feels in use, Thinborne has a clear edge. The lighter weight and textured finish make it easier to hold, especially during one-handed use – something you start to notice after a few days of use.

Microsoft is investigating a known issue that prevents some Classic Outlook users from sending emails via Outlook.com.

Affected users are being warned that their message hasn’t reached some intended recipients, and they will encounter this problem more often when the Outlook.com account they use to send email is an Outlook profile linked to another Exchange account.

“This message could not be sent. Try sending the message again later or contact your network administrator,” the non-delivery report (NDR) error displayed when sending or replying to emails reads.

“You do not have the permission to send the message on behalf of the specified user. Error is [0x80070005-0x0004dc-0x000524].”

Microsoft added that another condition that may trigger these errors is that the sender’s account has an Exchange Online mail contact with the same SMTP address.

​While investigating this issue and still looking for a fix, the Outlook team shared several workarounds that may help affected customers temporarily mitigate the issue.

Microsoft recommends removing the M365 account Address Book so that the Outlook client does not check it when sending emails, hiding the Outlook.com contact from the Microsoft 365 account Global Address List (GAL).

Other alternatives include creating a new classic Outlook profile that includes only the account receiving NDR errors, and using the New Outlook client or Outlook.com on the web to send email from the affected account.

Over the last two weeks, Microsoft fixed two other known issues, including one that caused Classic Outlook to crash when enabling the Microsoft Teams Meeting Add-in and another that triggered 0x800CCC0F and 0x80070057 errors when synchronizing Gmail and Yahoo accounts.

Microsoft is also investigating known bugs that cause “Can’t connect to the server” errors when creating groups if Exchange Web Services (EWS) is enabled for the tenant, and that make the mouse pointer disappear for some users in Classic Outlook, OneNote, and other Microsoft 365 apps.

Automated pentesting proves the path exists. BAS proves whether your controls stop it. Most teams run one without the other.

This whitepaper maps six validation surfaces, shows where coverage ends, and provides practitioners with three diagnostic questions for any tool evaluation.

Get Your Copy Now

Studio 64 Bits worked tirelessly for four months to hand-draw every single frame, allowing them to introduce Elden Ring to the wild world of Saturday morning television in the 90s. The end effect feels like a bizarre parallel universe in which the game appears alongside Thundercats and He-Man.

Ranni is right there at the start, cradling a double-necked electric guitar slung lazily across her shoulders, and as she begins noodling on the opening chords, the camera sweeps across these blasted landscapes, full of familiar faces from both the base game and the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion. We see Malenia charging ahead with blades flashing, Blaidd standing tall and loyal by her side, and Messmer looming large as the true new threat. Meanwhile, Miquella and Radahn share a dramatic moment, and Melina, Rykard, Mohg, Varre, Midra, Placidusax, Astel, Maliketh, and the Elden Beast all flash across the screen in quick, splashy bursts. Each character receives the usual cartoon makeover, complete with bold outlines, vivid colors, and exaggerated posturing that transforms their conflicts into heroic showdowns rather than gloomy, terrible struggles.

The animation sticks to the technical limits of 90’s TV production, which means that the colors don’t deviate much from a fairly limited palette, the lines have just a hint of that creaky hand-drawn cel look to them, and the transitions snap along with the same crisp timing you’d see on shows from that era. The music builds to a precise pitch, culminating in a driving rock song that sounds like it might have come directly from the opening titles of Jayce and the Wheeled Warriors or Captain Planet. Every second creates the impression that an entire series could follow, with the Tarnished rushing across the continent to repair the Elden Ring and face off against these legendary monsters in one thrilling episode after the next.

After the main intro concludes, the film transitions to a brief commercial in which Elden Ring appears to have recently been released for the old SNES. A happy narration promises additional dungeons, secrets, and a fate that is entirely in the player’s control. The tagline reverses a humorous old Nintendo slogan into ‘Now you’re playing with power, rune power’, and the spot concludes with a quick little bumper that parodies the DIC logo from coutnless old 90’s cartoons. It connects neatly to their last full-length SNES remake, making the entire package feel like one continuous block of faux Saturday morning programming.