News

Unregistered drone owners risk jail time

Published

January 26, 2016

Sascha

An estimated 1.6 million drones were sold in 2015, half of which landed as Christmas gifts, in socks over the fireplace, and under Christmas trees. If you were lucky enough to unwrap one of these high-tech quadcopters, some action may be required to avoid some unplanned jail time.

With drones believed to be the next big thing in tech, the U.S. Federal government through the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), is making it mandatory for all US citizens and permanent residents over the age of 13 to register their “small unmanned aircrafts.”

Failure to register comes with severe consequences, including civil penalties of up to $27,500 and criminal penalties of up to $250,000 and/or up to three years in prison.

You have until February 19, 2016 to complete the online registration process to avoid any kind of penalty for the drones you already own. If you are planning on buying a drone in the future you will need to register your new toy before you are allowed to operate it.

Nearly 300,000 US drone owners have registered with the FAA’s online database since the registration process went live on December 21, 2015. But with the deadline looming, and millions of drones sold, the requirement to register all existing drones may just be a lofty goal.

The online process costs $5.00 and is currently only open to hobbyists with drones that weigh more than 250g (0.55lbs) and less than 25kg (55lbs). If you own a nano drone like the OnagoFly which we reviewed during the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, you’re exempt from the process altogether.

Commercial users and owners of unmanned aircrafts that are on the heavy side (above 25 kg or 55 lbs.) are still bound to a paper registration process. Although the FAA promised to change this to an online registration as well by March 21, 2016.

Once registered each owner receives a number and a certificate. The number then has to be noted on every unmanned aircraft you plan to operate. There isn’t an actual license plate or sticker. Instead, we recommend using a waterproof pen to write the number directly on your drone to ensure your registration number will be visible even after a flight through the rain.

Good news is that registration process is based on individual users and doesn’t have to be repeated for each drone you plan on buying.

The FAA says that the registration number will help them to quickly identify drone operators in case of accidents and will provide a way to inform you about safety requirements and future regulations.

[irp posts=”7560″ name=”GoPro recalls Karma drone because of ‘performance issues'”]

Gaming

Microsoft dictates that a new Fallout game is coming

Microsoft cancelled an Avowed sequel to focus on Fallout.

Published

July 10, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Bethesda used to be a bastion for RPG experiences. Today, however, the company prefers living off its older properties such as Elder Scrolls Online and Fallout 76. For a while now, the question has been: When will Bethesda release a new game in either of their two biggest franchises? Well, according to a report, a new Fallout game might be coming soon.

As of late, Microsoft has been restructuring its studios. In fact, the company might shut down the studio behind the Dishonored series and the upcoming game based on Marvel’s Blade. Now, as part of that reshuffling (via Bloomberg), Obsidian Entertainment has been told to cancel a sequel to Avowed and focus on a new Fallout game.

It’s a huge change. Microsoft has notably stayed away from its more popular franchises for a while now. The latest Fallout game is still Fallout 76. The latest Elder Scrolls game has been in development for a long, long time now. Only DOOM, via last year’s The Dark Ages, got a new title recently.

To be clear, it’s unknown whether we’re getting the true Fallout 5 or another iteration of the online 76. If it’s really the fifth mainline entry in the franchise, it’s coming at a very opportune time. The franchise is currently on a high, riding the popularity of the TV series of the same name. Fans will surely enjoy a follow-up.

To fuel things further, Josh Sawyer, the director behind the universally lauded New Vegas, is reportedly spearheading the production of the new game.

News

New York becomes first state to ban smart glasses

The ban affects all courtrooms in the state.

Published

July 10, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Excitement over new technology is normal. However, when the dust settles, the rose-tinted glasses come off and reveal the potential concerns of using this new technology. Smart glasses are going through that phase now. While these glasses are all the rage now, some concerned establishments are now banning them. Case in point, the entirety of New York has just banned smart glasses in all of its courts.

In the United States, it’s already prohibited to record video or capture photos inside a court building. Naturally, the world is more complicated now. Anyone can just flaunt eyewear that can capture images for them, leaving bystanders none the wiser. As a result, the state of New York, according to Syracuse, has introduced a blanket ban for all smart glasses in all courtrooms. It’s the first state to do so across all courts.

Under the ban, users will be forbidden from even bringing these wearables into the building. This also includes smart glasses with prescription lenses. Those with affected eyesight can come back with a regular pair of glasses.

It’s a very interesting time for smart glasses. Especially for creators, the wearables have become a popular way to discreetly record events. Users don’t need to fiddle around with their phones or bring a bulky camera around.

However, it’s also a concern for privacy and cybersecurity. Though most of these wearables have a distinguishable LED indicator when they’re recording, they can also be modified to disable these indicators. As a bystander, you can be recorded without your knowledge.

Gaming

HoYo FEST 2026 details announced; tickets on sale from July 16

Join the celebration

Published

July 9, 2026

GadgetMatch

HoYoverse’s annual flagship fan celebration in Southeast Asia, the HoYo FEST, as officially been announced with tickets selling starting July 16.

Fans across Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, and Singapore can enjoy four days of interactive experiences, live entertainment, and more activities featuring HoYoverse’s famed titles:

Genshin Impact
Honkai Impact 3
Honkai: Star Rail
Tears of Themis
Zenless Zone Zero

In addition, the gathering will spotlight a first look at the upcoming Honkai: Nexus Anima. The game will be offered at the Experience Zone so visitors can be among the first to try through limited hands-on sessions.

Fans can expect the following experiences at each HoYo FEST:

Check-in Zone: Kick off your journey with activities across all six titles, plus exclusive freebies
Game Booths: Jump into immersive mini games inspired by the aforementioned titles
Hands-on experiences for Genshin Impact, Honkai: Star Rail, and Zenless Zone Zero
Merch: Grab fan-favorite HoYo FEST merchandise from event-exclusive standees and pillows to Character Giftboxes and more
Artist Alley: An even larger creative hub for artists and fans to showcase, sell, and share HoYoverse-inspired art
HoYo FEST Stage: Feel the excitement with Open Stage performances, the Cosplay Runway Walk, and vibrant community showcases

Tickets will be available in the following categories: