Anchor, which made its name manufacturing portable batteries and chargers, now makes gear for whatever devices you own. Or at least all the devices in your home, as the company just unveiled its Solix home energy system, which can be connected to existing or new home solar systems. Like many other home battery manufacturers, Solix is scalable. The smallest unit has a capacity of 5 kWh – enough for a few hours of emergency power – up to 180 kWh. While it won’t launch until 2024, when it does, it will pair with an electric vehicle charging system that Anker is currently working on.
The company is no stranger to this world, already building small solar and battery packs for off-road guys. But it’s gratifying to see that the company is also making inroads into the home battery market, which, aside from Tesla, is full of companies that aren’t as heavily represented in the consumer space. It’s also heartening to see Anker build equipment for smaller installations, such as apartments, where sometimes the only thing you can do to clean up your energy is hang a solar panel on your balcony.
– Dan Cooper
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What happened to the once popular gaming giant?
Our coverage of Summer Game Fest takes a look at Ubisoft, home to several major franchises including Far Cry and Assassin’s Creed. In recent years, however, the company had faltered, releasing half-baked, half-loved titles with mediocre results. A sharp left turn into freemium gaming and, sigh, NFTs only served to hasten the decay of its good name. Curious what behind-the-scenes drama caused the crash? I felt the same way until I read this.
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Wait, there are consequences if you refuse to pay for things!?
A judge has banned Twitter from its Colorado offices after the building’s owner sued for three months’ rent totaling $75,000. The site is currently home to around 150 employees who have until the end of July to pack up and move out. It also won’t be the only time Twitter lawyers see a courtroom over their owner’s refusal to pay for things. The company is currently being sued (take a deep breath) by its cleaners, its San Francisco landlord and several of its former employees for amounts reportedly owed to them.
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Protect your hearing while you rock.
Photo by Billy Steele/Engadget
If you’re a big fan of live music, you’ve probably been warned about the damage all those big PA systems can do to your hearing. The audio experts at Sennheiser want to solve this problem with a pair of earplugs for live music events. Billy Steele tested the SoundProtex Plus by spending his time at loud performances to see if it could help you enjoy the music without compromising your ability to continue to do so in the future.
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Some programming knowledge required.
Google’s redesigned Home app introduces a script editor that lets users program their own smart home routines. This includes “if this” style instructions, like dimming the living room lights and lowering the blinds if the living room TV is on after dark. It’s intended for people with some programming experience, but it should be simple enough that most dedicated amateurs should feel comfortable at least trying it.
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