The Sideload 051: Would you let Ring fly around your house?

9to5google.com Nov 11, 2026

The Sideload 051: Would you let Ring fly around your house?

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Nov 11, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

In episode 51 of the 9to5Google podcast “The Sideload,” hosts Will Sattelberg and Daniel Rubino discuss the upcoming Consumer Electronics Show before turning to Ring’s newly announced Drone Cam. The device, a small indoor drone equipped with a camera, is marketed as a mobile home‑security solution that can patrol a house autonomously. The hosts debate its safety, privacy implications, and whether it represents a genuine advancement in residential protection or an unnecessary risk. The conversation also touches on broader trends, including the push toward tech decentralization and a DIY ethos emerging in the AI era. The episode is sponsored by NordVPN, and listeners are offered a discounted two‑year subscription with extra free months.

💡 Why It Matters

· Ring’s Drone Cam forces consumers and regulators to confront the trade‑off between innovative, mobile surveillance and the potential for accidents or privacy breaches inside private homes.

Capsules Gadgets

Read full article on 9to5google.com

Steam now shows average Steam Deck framerates when browsing games, but Valve…

Valve’s latest Steam client update adds average Steam Deck framerate figures to each game’s store page, visible under the Steam Deck Compatibility section after clicking “Learn More.” The data, drawn from users who have opted in to share performance metrics, includes a histogram that shows how frequently specific frame‑rates occur, helping shoppers gauge consistency and potential stutter. The feature applies only to titles that have already been evaluated for Deck compatibility—those marked Verified, Playable or Unsupported—covering thousands of games but not the entire catalog. Valve says the average numbers complement the existing compatibility badges, offering a more nuanced view of performance. The company also hinted at expanding framerate reporting to additional hardware platforms in future updates, though desktop support remains uncertain.

💡 By showing real‑world frame‑rate data, Valve gives buyers a concrete performance benchmark, reducing guesswork for handheld gamers. This transparency could set a new standard for how digital storefronts present hardware‑specific performance.

9to5google.com · Nov 11

I’ve waited a long time for the Boox Picco, and I’m not…

The Boox Picco, priced around $100, is a 4.15‑inch e‑ink reader that attaches magnetically to a phone via an optional case, offering a ultra‑portable alternative to larger Boox models. Its 3.97‑inch display fits on the back of most slab phones with Qi2 magnets, and the 5.5 mm profile lets it slip into pockets or bags with minimal bulk. Unlike other Boox devices, the Picco runs a proprietary OS and relies on a companion app to transfer EPUB files from a phone, foregoing Android and mainstream e‑book stores. Reviewers note the device’s eye‑friendly screen and novelty of piggy‑backing on a phone, while acknowledging the added thickness and limited app ecosystem. The reviewer found the transfer process quick and the reading experience satisfying for personal EPUB collections.

💡 By marrying e‑ink comfort with phone‑centric portability, the Picco creates a niche for readers who prioritize screen quality without sacrificing a minimalist carry‑on setup.

appleinsider.com · Nov 11

New Labrinth song from MacBook Pro livestream coming to Apple Music

Apple’s redesigned MacBook Pro launch featured a live, four‑hour songwriting session with British artist Labrinth, streamed from the company’s Tower Theatre store in Los Angeles. During the event, Labrinth composed and produced a new track while answering audience questions on YouTube. The finished song will debut on Apple Music and other streaming platforms, though release times may differ slightly across services. The collaboration showcases Apple’s commitment to integrating creative content with its hardware promotion, offering fans a unique behind‑the‑scenes experience.

💡 By turning a live creation into a commercial release, Apple blurs the line between product showcase and artistic production, potentially redefining how tech companies engage audiences.

appleinsider.com · Nov 11

New AirPods firmware has been released by Apple

Apple has rolled out firmware version 9B47 for all AirPods equipped with the H2 chip, including the AirPods 4, AirPods 5, AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, and AirPods Max 2. The update is delivered automatically; users must place the earbuds in their case, connect the case to power, and keep it near a paired iPhone for the process to initiate. Apple provides no manual update option, so timing depends on the device’s proximity to an iOS device and its power state. The new firmware is expected to refine performance, address stability issues, and potentially improve battery management across the entire H2 lineup, ensuring a consistent experience for the latest generation of Apple’s wireless audio hardware.

💡 A unified firmware push guarantees that every H2‑based AirPod receives the same enhancements, preventing fragmentation across Apple’s premium audio ecosystem.

windowscentral.com · Nov 10

This is when I’d buy the HP OmniBook Ultra 16 over the…

HP unveiled its OmniBook Ultra 16, a 16‑inch laptop boasting a 5.1 MP webcam with human presence detection, a natural‑looking OLED panel, and a 5 TB PCIe 5.0 SSD. The base model includes 32 GB RAM and 1 TB storage, offering faster read/write speeds and slightly better battery life than competitors. The device weighs about 2.8 kg and lacks several ports, an ambient light sensor, and a three‑stage backlight. ASUS’s ProArt P16, lighter and with a brighter OLED, lags in storage and battery performance.

💡 The OmniBook Ultra 16’s PCIe 5.0 storage and enhanced RAM give professionals a tangible speed advantage, reshaping expectations for mobile workstation performance.

9to5google.com · Nov 10

Galaxy S27 redesign leak shows off Pro vs Ultra size difference, with…

Samsung’s Galaxy S27 series redesign has leaked through a set of dummy units revealed by leaker Sonny Dickson. The Pro and Ultra models feature a full‑width camera island, abandoning the previously touted vertical array, and the Pro is noticeably smaller than the Ultra and the S27+. Ice Universe disputes the image, noting the absence of a fourth camera lens on both models, suggesting the dummies may reflect an earlier design. The leak underscores Samsung’s shift toward a more Apple‑influenced aesthetic and highlights size differentiation for consumers.

💡 The redesign signals Samsung’s pivot to a slimmer, camera‑centric form factor that could reshape its competitive stance against Apple’s iPhone lineup.