Lifestyle
Google ends support for original Chromecast
No more updates or technical support
It wasn’t the most popular product, but surely other people remember the Chromecast, right? Well, if you’re one of the few who keep fond memories about the device, it’s time to say goodbye. Google has quietly terminated support for the first-generation Chromecast.
Released almost a decade ago, the original Chromecast blossomed in a world that wasn’t ready for smart TVs. The HDMI-based dongle allowed users to broadcast media from their smartphones and tablets onto their television sets. In a nutshell, it was an easy way to turn an older TV into a smart device for an affordable price.
Back in April (or a few months shy of the device’s tenth birthday), Google officially ended support for the first-generation dongle. A short announcement (spotted by 9to5Google) simply states that the device will no longer receive any software updates, and Google will no longer service them. Its last firmware version shipped in November last year. Google also notes that users who continue to use the original dongle might “notice a degradation in performance.”
Unfortunately, that’s just the way the technology goes. The issue it sought to solve — that is, the continued existence of older TVs without smart capabilities — is largely obsolete. Most TVs today have smart features built in, eliminating the necessity for a smart dongle.
However, for those who still have less intelligent sets, Google still sells a newer version of the Chromecast built with Google TV. Instead of controlling the screen with another smartphone, the newer version of the Chromecast packs in the software itself.
Entertainment
Samsung brings the Galaxy Z series into Spider-Man: Brand New Day
Tracking Spidey this summer
Samsung is swinging into theaters this summer.
Ahead of the release of Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Samsung announced a new collaboration with Sony Pictures. It puts its Galaxy devices directly into the world of Marvel’s friendly neighborhood hero.
At the center of the campaign is the Spidey Tracker, an interactive experience inspired by the upcoming film. In the movie, Ned Leeds develops the tracker on a Samsung Galaxy device to help locate Spider-Man. Now, fans can use a real-world version through a dedicated website.
The tracker will serve as a hub for Spider-Man-themed content throughout the summer. Fans can follow sightings, discover hidden easter eggs, view cast appearances and interviews, and participate in community-driven activities.
Samsung says the Spidey Tracker will be available in 35 countries worldwide through SpideyTracker.com and on X via @SpideyTracker.
Galaxy devices join Spider-Man’s world
The partnership extends beyond marketing.
In Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Samsung’s Galaxy devices will be featured throughout the story. Spider-Man will be seen using a Galaxy Z Flip, while Ned Leeds relies on Galaxy Z Fold devices and Galaxy Watch wearables as he searches for the web-slinger.
According to Samsung, the collaboration highlights how its devices help users stay connected, whether they’re sharing moments with friends, keeping in touch with family, or, in Spider-Man’s case, saving New York City.
The company also said the campaign reflects the importance of human connection and self-expression, themes that have long been part of Spider-Man’s story.
More Spider-Man sightings this summer
Sony Pictures says the partnership helps expand Spider-Man’s connection to his community beyond the movie screen.
Throughout the summer, fans can expect Spider-Man-themed appearances across live events, creator content, special activations, and even select Samsung Experience Stores.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day opens exclusively in theaters on July 31.
Meanwhile, fans can start tracking their favorite wall-crawler through the Spidey Tracker beginning June 17 at 3PM ET.
HYROX drew people from all over the world for a single purpose: finish the course. In Hong Kong, athletes showed up at AsiaWorld-Expo ready to run, row, and push through 8 stations of pure functional fitness.
So, we brought the Canon EOS R6 Mark III to capture one of the most demanding fitness races on the planet.
The Expo floor is a lighting nightmare, a mix of harsh overheads and deep shadows, but the 32.5MP sensor handled the contrast without breaking a sweat.
The 40fps electronic shutter and Pre-continuous shooting meant we were already capturing the moment half a second before we consciously decided to press the shutter.
Covering a race means staying mobile, and the 8.5-stop IBIS let us move freely alongside athletes without losing the shot. The Dual Pixel CMOS AF II stayed locked on athletes even when they were squinting through the final stretch.
What came out were stories of triumph and determination. Even when their bodies were screaming, they pushed through anyway.
This is what HYROX Hong Kong looked like from the inside.
Words by MJ Jucutan. Photos by Sky Rodillas.
Apps
The No-Nonsense guide to mid-year shopping
Let AI do the heavy lifting for you this Lazada 6.6 Super WOW Sale
The mid-year sale season is here, but the days of mindless impulse buying are over.
Shoppers are shifting toward intentional, value-driven decisions, focusing on quality, authenticity, and actual utility over flashy, low-quality gimmicks.
From 8:00 PM on June 5 until 11:59 PM on June 8, 2026, the Lazada 6.6 Super WOW Sale is dropping major discounts. But the real win is using the platform’s tools to maximize your budget.
Lock in the baseline discounts
Before diving into specific items, map out how to stack the core offers.
You can stretch your money by hunting down LazFlash Deals for up to 90% off, collecting up to PhP 3,000 in stackable vouchers, and ensuring every order qualifies for the free shipping offers available throughout the event.
True value comes from combining these three layers of savings on things you already need.
Filter for authentic value
Shopping smart means avoiding the trap of “too good to be true” counterfeits that end up in the trash.
Data shows a massive consumer shift toward trusted quality, with LazMall growth vastly outperforming standard listings during major sales.
To ensure your money goes toward genuine products with real warranties, restrict your browsing to official, brand-certified stores.
If you are upgrading your tech, parenting gear, or wardrobe, look to trusted names anchoring the sale like UGREEN, JisuLife, ANTA, Maserati Watches, Momcozy, and O.TWO.O.
Outsmart the noise with built-in tech
Don’t waste hours scrolling through endless listings or guessing which product is better.
The smartest way to navigate a massive mid-year event is to let the platform’s built-in features cut through choice paralysis.
Tools like AI Lazzie and AI Picks allow you to instantly compare similar items, analyze prices, and get personalized recommendations based on actual data rather than generic marketing hype.
Smart Shopper Tip: True value is a mix of the right price, verified authenticity, and a seamless return policy. Use this sale period to stock up on everyday essentials and high-quality upgrades rather than panic-buying items you’ll regret later.
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