Technology
Backbone’s versatile pro controller is nearly matching its best price to date
Mobile gaming has come a long way over the course of the last decade or so, but we all know that smartphones simply can’t match the visceral, tactile feel you get while playing with a dedicated controller. Luckily, Backbone makes some excellent mobile options — including last year’s Backbone Pro, which is on sale at Amazon, Best Buy, and Target right now for $139.99 ($30 off), its second-best price to date.
In many ways, Backbone’s latest mobile controller is merely an updated take on what came before. The handheld device consists of two oblong halves with an extendable strip of plastic in the middle, allowing you to use it with Android devices and iPhone 15, 16, and 17 series phones. It plugs into your phone’s USB-C port and, once connected, you can game with two full-sized ALPs thumbsticks, a responsive D-pad, and A, B, X, and Y buttons. It also features two programmable back buttons, a 3.5mm headphone jack, better ergonomics than your phone, and averages up to 40 hours of battery life on a single charge.
The hardware is only part of the equation, though. Backbone’s intent with the Pro is for it to function as a more universal gamepad, and as such, the company’s software pulls together games from Apple Arcade, Netflix, Google Play, and other services into a singular app, allowing you to discover and launch games with little fuss. What’s more, you can use it to stream Xbox or PlayStation games — either from your console or the cloud —and connect it to a wealth of other devices via Bluetooth, including your PC, Steam Deck, and Apple devices like the iPad and Mac. Sure, the beefy controller looks a little awkward when you’re using it without a phone, but it’s a small price to pay for its added versatility.
Technology
The best deals we found during Amazon’s Gaming Week
Amazon’s annual Gaming Week is bringing discounts on video games, accessories, and PC components through May 4th. This event is smaller than Amazon’s other sales, but there are some genuinely good deals. This year, we’ve found deals on popular titles like Elden Ring Nightreign, plus rare discounts on the Nex Playground console and on top-notch Nintendo Switch 2 controllers like the EasySMX S10. We’ve also found discounts on an assortment of laptops, monitors, and other gaming gear, some of which are happening at Amazon and other retailers, too.
Technology
Waymo teams up with Waze to spot potholes faster
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You know that moment. You are driving along, and everything feels smooth. Then all of a sudden, your car hits a pothole you never saw coming.
It is frustrating. It can also be expensive and dangerous. Repairs add up fast, and unexpected road damage can lead to crashes.
Now, Waymo and Waze are trying to tackle that problem in a new way. Instead of waiting for people to report potholes after the fact, they want to detect them as they happen and help cities respond faster.
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RESEARCHERS CREATE REVOLUTIONARY AI FABRIC THAT PREDICTS ROAD DAMAGE BEFORE IT HAPPENS
Waymo and Waze are using self-driving car data to spot potholes in real time and alert drivers before they hit road hazards. (Waymo)
How Waymo detects potholes behind the scenes
Waymo’s robotaxis already spend hours on the road each day. While they drive, they constantly scan their surroundings using cameras, sensors and onboard software. That same technology is now being used to identify potholes.
When a Waymo vehicle detects a road issue, that information is shared through Waze’s “Waze for Cities” platform. Cities and transportation departments can access the data at no cost. At the same time, the information shows up in the Waze app so drivers can see alerts as they approach a problem area.
There is also a human layer built in. Waze users can confirm or flag potholes, which helps improve accuracy over time. That combination of machine detection and real-world feedback creates a more reliable picture of road conditions.
Why this is a big shift in how cities fix potholes
Most cities still rely on residents to report potholes through 311 systems or online forms. Crews then investigate and decide what to fix first. That process takes time and often leaves gaps. Some potholes go unreported. Others are reported too late. In many cases, cities end up reacting instead of getting ahead of the problem.
This new approach changes that. By using real-time data from vehicles already on the road, cities can see where issues are forming and respond more quickly. It also helps them spot patterns, which can improve how they plan repairs and allocate resources.
Where the Waymo and Waze pilot program is running
The partnership is still in its early phase, but it is already active in several major metro areas. The rollout includes the San Francisco Bay Area along with Los Angeles, Phoenix, Austin and Atlanta. These are places where Waymo already operates, which makes it easier to collect consistent data.
Even at this early stage, the system has already identified around 500 potholes across those cities. That gives you a sense of how much road damage can go unnoticed without constant monitoring.
Over time, the companies plan to expand into more regions, including areas where weather conditions make potholes more common.
PRIVATE AUTONOMOUS PODS COULD REDEFINE RIDE-SHARING
A Waymo robotaxi drives along California Street in San Francisco on Dec. 8, 2025. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Why potholes are a bigger problem than they seem
Potholes may feel like a minor annoyance, but they have real consequences. They can damage tires, affect alignment and lead to costly repairs. In some cases, they contribute to accidents, especially when drivers swerve to avoid them or hit them at high speeds.
There is also a fairness issue. Areas that rely on resident reports may see uneven maintenance. Some neighborhoods get quicker fixes while others wait longer simply because fewer reports come in.
By combining automated detection with user input, this system aims to close those gaps and give cities a more complete view of road conditions.
What this means to you
You may not think much about the technology behind road maintenance, but it directly affects your daily drive. If this approach expands, it could lead to fewer surprise potholes and quicker repairs on roads you use every day. It may also mean better alerts in navigation apps, which gives you more time to react and avoid damage.
There is also a long-term benefit. Better data can help cities maintain roads more efficiently, which can reduce wear and tear on your car and lower the risk of unexpected repairs. At a broader level, it shows how data collected for one purpose can improve something completely different. In this case, the same systems that guide self-driving cars could make everyday driving safer for everyone.
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AIR TAXIS CUT HOUR-LONG COMMUTES TO MINUTES, RIDERS MAY BE SHOCKED BY THE PRICE
A Waymo driverless taxi stops on a street in San Francisco on Feb. 15, 2023. (Terry Chea/AP)
Kurt’s key takeaways
This might sound like a small idea at first. But it points to something much bigger. For years, cities have been playing catch-up when it comes to road maintenance. They rely on slow reports and limited data, which means problems often get fixed late or missed entirely. Now, that could start to change. With Waymo cars constantly scanning the roads, cities can tap into a steady stream of real-world data without having to build a whole new system from scratch. If this pilot works, it could change how cities stay on top of road repairs. And it is another example of how private tech is starting to shape public infrastructure in ways most people never see. That can be a good thing. But it also raises a bigger question about where that line should be drawn.
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Have potholes ever cost you money or damage, and do you think tech like this could actually make a difference? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com.
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Technology
It’s primetime for conspiracy theorist video creators
In the days since this year’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner was cut short when shots were fired at the event, there has been a boom of conspiracy theory videos created by people who insist that the entire situation was a false flag operation. These kinds of theories are nothing new, but the way they’re spreading now is a reflection of how reaction video culture is reshaping our social media landscape. And even though the initial chaos around the shooting has started to die down, content creators are still posting about what “really” happened.
There is still much we do not know about Cole Allen, the 31-year-old suspected shooter who allegedly traveled from Los Angeles to Washington, DC, ahead of the WCHD and was staying in the same Hilton where the event was held. But that has not stopped content creators from flooding platforms like YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and X with videos purporting to have more insightful takes on the situation than what’s being reported by the mainstream media.
None of these videos reveal anything that hasn’t already been reported out via traditional media outlets. But each of them speaks to the way that this brand of content has become a normal part of people’s media consumption habits and something that creators see as a viable way to capture attention. In the US, trust in traditional media outlets is at a historic low and more people are turning to social media to stay informed about world events. And that shift has given conspiracy-minded content creators a choice opportunity to influence the way people understand reality.
All of this is similar to what happened in 2024 when Donald Trump survived an assassination attempt while campaigning for the presidency. Then, creators rushed to capitalize on the event while also writing it off as a false flag designed to garner sympathy for the Republican nominee. That news cycle and subsequent discourse dragged on for weeks, both because it was a significant moment in an election year and because it was difficult to understand how Trump could have been shot in his ear without sustaining any visible damage afterward.
Many of the newer videos about the WHCD shooting suggest that we should look at these events as a response to the Trump administration’s propensity for spreading misinformation. And while there is no evidence to suggest that the WHCD shooting was, in fact, orchestrated with Trump’s approval, one could argue the administration is at least partially responsible for the way that this idea has gained traction across the internet.
As easy as it is to laugh at the constant barrage of shitposts coming out of the president’s social media accounts and other official governmental channels, they have undoubtedly had an impact on the way that the public thinks about the current administration. By sharing ugly, immature memes and AI-generated images of Trump as a Christlike figure, the White House has told people that nothing is to be taken seriously and everything can be turned into a crude joke. And at a time when all of the internet’s biggest social media platforms have begun encouraging their users to upload videos of themselves while chasing engagement, it makes sense that many would see this past weekend’s shooting as a chance to boost their profiles.
Trump has made nonsensical “jokes” a significant part of his political brand, and people are responding with very similar energy.
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