There are a ton of different form factors, features, and designs for Find Hub trackers on Android, but many end up sharing the same core makeup and hardware. But with its new generation of Android Find Hub trackers, “Nimble” is not only delivering some nice designs and form factors, but offering something new in sustainable paper-based batteries.
Nimble is a tech accessory brand that aims to build sustainable products, including chargers and battery banks. At CES 2026, the company introduced new batteries including one 10,000 mAh bank that splits in half to let you share half of the battery bank with another person.
But what really caught my eye were the new Nimble tracking products which work with both Apple Find My and Android Find Hub tracking networks – one or the other at any given time, as per usual. These trackers come in designs including a tag, luggage tag/label, a wallet, and a passport holder. The four products all work with Google’s network, and use a plant-based leather as well. In checking these out in person, I was pretty happy with the overall fit and finish.
The part that really sets these apart is the battery tech, which ditches lithium-ion for a cellulose-based battery. In other words, paper. The battery tech comes from a company called “Flint,” and makes for a sustainable battery that’s also just 1mm thick, so more than thin enough for compact trackers. Production on these batteries just started recently.
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Nimble explains:
The batteries utilize a cellulose-based structure and non-toxic, water-based electrolytes, significantly reducing environmental impact at the end of the product’s life… At less than 1mm thick, the rechargeable paper battery is embedded directly into the accessory, maintaining the slim profile required for travel gear.
Despite this tech, the battery can still be recharged via a Qi charger, with each product outlining its charging coil on the leather exterior. There hasn’t been any claim on battery life just yet, though.
Nimble’s trackers aren’t available just yet, nor has pricing been published just yet.
WORCESTER — Dozens gathered outside Worcester City Hall for about an hour Thursday night to protest the killing of a woman in Minnesota by a federal ICE agent.
The clamorous group often chanted the name of the woman killed Wednesday in Minneapolis, Minnesota — Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother who was shot and killed by a federal agent. Protesters directed their anger at ICE, often yelling in unison to “(expletive) ICE” and waving signs.
Several people used a loudspeaker to address the crowd, some talking about peace, others yelling obscenities about ICE and police and others telling personal stories.
Henry Broadstone, a student at Clark University in Worcester, drew parallels between the killing in Minneapolis and an incident between onlookers and ICE agents as they apprehended a Brazilian mother of three on Eureka Street in Worcester in May.
“… when I saw the video in Minneapolis, I said, ‘that’s exactly what happened on Eureka Street; it’s the exact same thing.’ And so, if that means that when we respond as community members, we can get murdered, that’s ridiculous,” Broadstone told MassLive during Thursday night’s protest. “… it’s just, you know, an American place, an American town, it’s just a regular neighborhood, right? And at the same time, it’s the scene of a murder.”
Several hundred people also protested ICE at the Boston Common Thursday night in a march that led to Boston City Hall.
What happened in Minneapolis?
Footage of the Minneapolis incident shows two ICE agents approaching the driver side door of Good’s SUV, which was in the middle of a street. As the SUV backs up, a third agent can be seen standing in front of the vehicle. The vehicle then drives forward and the ICE agent in front pulls out a gun, shooting into the front of the vehicle before stepping to the side and shooting again.
The footage sparked outrage among Massachusetts Democratic elected officials, many of them claiming Good was murdered.
“The murder of a woman in Minnesota by ICE agents in broad daylight is horrific and unacceptable,” U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-7th District, said in a statement. “This harrowing tragedy should never have happened, and my heart breaks for the victim, their loved ones, and the entire Minnesota community.”
Trump administration officials, however, defended the agent, saying he was acting in self-defense.
Vice President JD Vance told reporters on Thursday the agent was “doing his job” and implied Good’s actions led to her death.
“I can believe that her death is a tragedy, while also recognizing that it’s a tragedy of her own making,” Vance said.
Federal officials similarly defended agents who shot two people in Portland, Oregon Thursday afternoon, according to The Oregonian.
U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents shot and wounded a man and a woman believed to be a married couple in a medical clinic parking lot near a medical center in Southeast Portland, authorities and witnesses told The Oregonian. Portland police said they didn’t know their immediate conditions as of Thursday night.
A spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin, said agents were trying to make a traffic stop and characterized the shooting as self-defense, The Oregonian reported.
In Worcester, the crowd started to disperse from Main Street around 7 p.m., with no obvious police presence throughout the peaceful demonstration.
Material from MassLive reporter Adam Bass was used in this article.
Internet connectivity collapsed across Iran on Thursday amid nationwide protests, according to web monitoring firms.
“I think we’re at a near-total disconnection from the outside world now,” Amir Rashidi, an Iranian cybersecurity researcher who works for the nonprofit Miaan Group, told TechCrunch.
Doug Madory, the director of internet analysis at Kentik, a company that monitors internet traffic worldwide, concurred, telling TechCrunch that Iran’s internet has been in “near-total blackout” since around 11:30 a.m. on the U.S. east coast on Thursday, or 8 p.m. local time in Tehran.
A chart showing how internet traffic dropped in Iran on Thursday around 11:30 a.m. ET (Image: Kentik)
Internet traffic monitor NetBlocks, internet infrastructure company Cloudflare, and internet connectivity tracking site IODA, all registered sudden drops in connectivity across Iran at the same time.
“We continue to see a small amount of traffic, but the country is effectively completely offline,” David Belson, the head of data insight at Cloudflare, told TechCrunch.
At the end of December, protests erupted in several cities in Iran, following a sharp drop in the value of the country’s currency, prompting shortages of goods and dramatic spikes in prices. Some shops in Tehran’s traditional bazaar have been closed for eleven days, according to The New York Times.
Iran’s government has responded by violently cracking down on the protesters.
The Iranian government, which maintains a tight control over the country’s internet access, is behind the internet blackout, according to Rashidi.
Representatives for the Iranian government in the United States did not immediately respond to TechCrunch’s request for comment. The Iranian Foreign Ministry’s website was down at the time of publication.
Bose recently announced the pending end of cloud support for its SoundTouch line of home speakers. This will, in effect, turn the smart speakers into dumb speakers as they will no longer have access to many features and any related software updates. Well, there’s a spot of good news for SoundTouch owners. The company is turning to an open source model for the software, allowing third parties to keep the music playing.
The company has already begun mailing out the API documentation to customers so “independent developers can create their own SoundTouch-compatible tools and features.” This will take some time, so Bose is also extending the end-of-life (EoL) date for the SoundTouch speakers. They were set to stop receiving cloud updates in February, but that has been moved to May 6.
It made a couple of other changes to make life a bit easier for SoundTouch owners. The speakers will still be able to use AirPlay and Spotify Connect after EoL, which was something that had been in doubt. The app will also continue to work in a stripped-down format. That app was originally set to stop working altogether, so all of those angry customer comments on Reddit must have done the job.
The SoundTouch speakers were introduced in 2013 and were on the expensive side, starting at $600. Nobody likes spending hundreds of dollars on something only to have it become a useless brick several years later. Good on Bose for listening to their customers on this.
The new A17 5G clearly isn’t for power users by any means, but if you’re looking for a Galaxy device for younger kids, grandparents, or just as a spare, you are looking at the most affordable smartphone Samsung sells here, and with a launch deal. It lands with relatively modest specs – 4GB of RAM and 128GB of storage – alongside a microSD slot to expand internal capacity up to 2TB.
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You can also knock $70 off the list price to bring your spend down to just $100 if you have some gear to trade in right now as well.
The launch deal also comes with the option of some bundle offers as well, including 39% off Galaxy Buds 3 FE, a Clear Case for $17.50 (30% off), and more. These offers are seen above and found on the Galaxy A17 5G listing page.
Samsung’s debuts new affordable Galaxy Tab A11+ at $250, or up to $100 off w/ trade
While there is no straight up launch deal on the new tablet like there is on its new Galaxy A17 5G smartphone, there is some trade-in options and bundle savings up for grabs here:
As you can see above, customers also have the choice to add the official Book Cover to the order at 30% off the list price. You’ll find this option on the Galaxy A11+ listing page.
In our initial report at 9to5Google we said the A11+ looks like it’s delivering a pretty serious upgrade for a tablet that starts at $250. It features a metal unibody design with IP52 dust/water resistance housing its 1920×1200 display that runs at 90Hz. The most affordable is also getting a RAM boost up to 6GB while a MediaTek MT8775 chipset powers the experience.
Today might be your last shot at the $100 New Year discounts on Pixel Watch 4
Google kicked off the new year with hundreds in savings on its Pixel 10 lineup alongside deals on the latest Pixel Watch 4. It looks like today might be your last chance at the up to $100 in savings on the latest wearable, according to the Google Store, and if you’re looking to secure one for your New Year fitness regimen/wardrobe, these deals should be on your radar today.
Much like we saw over the Black Friday deal season, there are price drops currently live across the Pixel Watch 4 lineup. You’ll find $50 off the base 41mm and 45mm models while the LTE connected editions are a full $100 off the list prices right now:
While Amazon seems to have already ran out of stock on the 45mm Google Pixel Watch 4 LTE at $100 off, you will still find that deal ready and waiting courtesy of Best Buy at the time of writing.
As per usual, there’s really no way to know for sure if Amazon and Best Buy will still be offering these deals come tomorrow, but it appears as though the official Google Store New Year offers will start to disappear as of midnight tonight and it might not be a good idea to take a chance if you’re looking to score one in the early days of 2026.
Get Google’s Nest Wi-Fi Pro mesh nodes to remedy spotty connection while they’re starting from $100 all-time low (50% off)
We just spotted a deal at Amazon that drops Google’s Nest Wi-Fi Pro 6E single node down to $99.99 shipped. This is regularly a $200 unit, which is now seeing a straight-up 50% discount. Today’s deal – which is also matched at Best Buy – shaves $100 off its usual going rate to mark a new best price to beat. These nodes are available in Fog, Lemongrass, Snow, and Linen finishes, and they’re all down to the $100 low today. The dual and triple node systems are also seeing discounts right now, so be sure to check them out after getting more details below.
Google’s Nest Wi-Fi Pro mesh system, as noted in our hands-on review, is designed to handle the demands of busy home networks, making it a good option to consider for anyone looking to upgrade their network for fast and reliable internet. Unlike other mesh routers out there, the Nest Wi-Fi Pro stands out with a clean, understated design that blends easily into most homes or offices. It leverages Wi-Fi 6E technology to deliver solid coverage of up to 2,200 square feet per router – or as much as 6,600 square feet with a three-pack. With tri-band speeds reaching up to 5.4Gb/s, the system also includes smart tools for troubleshooting network issues, pausing access for unfamiliar devices, and managing your connection with ease.
Don’t forget to stop by our computer accessories hub to catch more offers on workstation peripherals and accessories. And if you’re hunting for new gaming gear, Woot’s updated video game sale is worth checking out as well to save up to 85% on peripherals, games, and more.
Douglas Vizard, 57, was traveling on Corridor Trail 18 in Colebrook, New Hampshire, when he failed to navigate a turn, according to authorities. His snowmobile hit a tree, throwing the Needham resident from the vehicle.
Members of Vizard’s group called for help, according to officials, with the Northern Border Dispatch, Colebrook Fire Department, New Hampshire State Police and New Hampshire Fish and Game Department responding.
The Colebrook Fire Department used an off-road rescue vehicle to retrieve Vizard, and an ambulance took him to a nearby hospital.
Vizard’s condition was not immediately released.
The crash remains under investigation, according to authorities.
Former CIA agent Aldrich Ames leaves federal court after pleading guilty to espionage and tax evasion conspiracy charges April 28, 1994, in Alexandria, Va.
Wilfredo Lee/AP
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WASHINGTON — CIA turncoat Aldrich Ames, who betrayed Western intelligence assets to the Soviet Union and Russia in one of the most damaging intelligence breaches in U.S. history, has died in a Maryland prison. He was 84.
A spokesperson for the Bureau of Prisons confirmed Ames died Monday.
Ames, a 31-year CIA veteran, admitted being paid $2.5 million by Moscow for U.S. secrets from 1985 until his arrest in 1994. His disclosures included the identities of 10 Russian officials and one Eastern European who were spying for the United States or Great Britain, along with spy satellite operations, eavesdropping and general spy procedures. His betrayals are blamed for the executions of Western agents working behind the Iron Curtain and were a major setback to the CIA during the Cold War.
He pleaded guilty without a trial to espionage and tax evasion and was sentenced to life in prison without parole. Prosecutors said he deprived the United States of valuable intelligence material for years.
He professed “profound shame and guilt” for “this betrayal of trust, done for the basest motives,” money to pay debts. But he downplayed the damage he caused, telling the court he did not believe he had “noticeably damaged” the United States or “noticeably aided” Moscow.
“These spy wars are a sideshow which have had no real impact on our significant security interests over the years,” he told the court, questioning the value that leaders of any country derived from vast networks of human spies around the globe.
In a jailhouse interview with The Washington Post the day before he was sentenced, Ames said he was motivated to spy by “financial troubles, immediate and continuing.”
Ames was working in the Soviet/Eastern European division at the CIA’s headquarters in Langley, Virginia, when he first approached the KGB, according to an FBI history of the case. He continued passing secrets to the Soviets while stationed in Rome for the CIA and after returning to Washington. Meanwhile, the U.S. intelligence community was frantically trying to figure out why so many agents were getting discovered by Moscow.
Ames’s spying coincided with that of FBI agent Robert Hanssen, who was caught in 2001 and charged with taking $1.4 million in cash and diamonds to sell secrets to Moscow. He died in prison in 2023.
Ames’s wife, Rosario, pleaded guilty to lesser espionage charges of assisting his spying and was sentenced to 63 months in prison.
Apple announced Wednesday that JPMorgan Chase is the new issuer of the Apple Card, replacing Goldman Sachs. Apple said that the transition will likely take up to 24 months.
While Apple is changing its banking partner, the Apple Card will continue to use the Mastercard network for payments. For consumers, nothing is changing at the moment, including for those applying for new cards.
JPMorgan said that the deal would bring over $20 billion in card balances to Chase. The Wall Street Journal noted that Goldman Sachs is offloading this amount at a $1 billion discount. Goldman Sachs said that for the fourth quarter of 2025, it expects a $2.2 billion provision for credit losses related to the forward purchase commitment.
Apple launched its credit card in 2019 in partnership with Goldman Sachs without late fees or penalty interest rates. The card offers up to 3% daily cashback on purchases from Apple and other select partners; 2% from using Apple Pay; and 1% from using the physical card.
Every fall, dozens of maple and oak trees in my neighborhood shed their leaves. Thus begins the constant drone of gas-powered leaf blowers every day through early December. The noise is by far the most annoying thing about these yard tools, but I can appreciate it’s a necessary evil — unless you prefer to pick up a blister-inducing rake.
Whisper Aero argues there’s a better way. The company is using aerospace tech to quiet the noisy devices, introducing the T1 leaf blower at CES 2026 under its sub-brand Tone Outdoors. The company promises the T1 is 80 percent quieter and 60 percent more powerful than “leading” handheld gas leaf blowers. More specifically, the T1 has 880 CFM of air flow, which easily surpasses my battery-powered EGO. And at 52 decibels of average noise at peak volume, his model is drastically quieter than any leaf blower I’ve used. I was able to confirm its lower roar on the CES show floor.
Tone says the T1 also offers extended run time of up to 50 minutes on a charge in Eco mode. That too is greater than what I get on my mid-grade EGO. What’s more, the company plans to sell a battery backpack that will extend any clean-up sessions for several hours. The T1 also has a built-in LED “nightlight” so you can still use it after dark. And since it’s quieter than what you have now, you can do so without annoying your neighbors.
Tone Outdoors T1 (Billy Steele for Engadget)
So, how does Whisper Aero achieve this? The company originally set out to devise a quieter solution for electric aerospace motors. Its engineers discovered that they could dramatically reduce noise and increase overall efficiency by redesigning the fan and motor. They’re still pursuing that, but the company discovered its technology had other uses too.
The T1 is already available for preorder for $599 and it’s scheduled to ship in September. If you don’t care for the standard green color, you can spend another $100 for limited edition “Silence Is Golden” version. The battery backpack won’t arrive until Q1 2027 though (price TBD). Tone also says it has additional models in the works and it has a partnership with Stanley Black and Decker that will likely produce additional products with this tech on board.
Gboard for Android is slowly getting M3 Expressive, but the shortcuts page redesign comes at the expense of density.
Previously, the shortcuts page displayed everything as a grid. Each item was placed in a rectangular card that you could adjust to fit in one view without scrolling.
The Material 3 Expressive redesign places everything in a rounded pill, with two shortcuts per row. Instead of scrolling, you swipe left to see the next page of shortcuts. The icons are unchanged, with the text labels significantly larger. However, “Share Gboard” might scroll because it does not fit in the container.
Old vs. new
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Shortcuts in the suggestions strip drop their container, while the back button is replaced by a close ‘x’ in the top-left corner.
Tap the pencil icon to make edits with M3 Expressive containers leveraged on the “Hold and drag to customize” page.
Gboard in recent weeks has also tested a redesign of the Settings page. This is a straightforward modernization that uses containers to group related preferences.
The Gboard Settings redesign is seeing wider availability, but the shortcuts page just appeared on one of our devices today with version 16.5.2.x.
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![These Android Find Hub trackers have paper batteries [Gallery]](https://eyeobserver.online/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/nimble-find-hub-trackers-2-768x402.jpg "These Android Find Hub trackers have paper batteries [Gallery]"){kind=tracking}
