The week in picks

LDAC and aptX only matter if both your phone and earbuds support them - otherwise you're on plain AAC/SBC.

If you're a 1080p builder on an ultra-tight budget and the more powerful B580 is out of stock or wildly overpriced, the B570 might be your only option. Perhaps you've been eyeing a new game release like "Eternal Realms" that's optimized for this resolution, but can't afford to upgrade your GPU just yet. In that case, the B570's 10GB of GDDR6 memory is a decent consolation prize, it at least beats out every other 8GB card in its class on paper. Just don't expect it to hold up against more demanding applications or resolutions.

Don't forget to check prices regularly for any dips.

If you're in NYC on September 21st, you owe it to yourself to check out Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals at Bowery Ballroom - their soulful blend of folk and rock is guaranteed to get you moving. With a career spanning over three decades, Ben's got the experience and talent to deliver a high-energy performance that'll leave you breathless. Get there early for a great spot in the front row!

Spirit Island's complex cooperative gameplay makes it a standout choice for solo players who crave strategic depth and replayability. I've played it three times, and each experience has left me in awe of its ability to balance thinking ahead with adaptability.

When the bird-card draw reveals a particularly threatening Spirit, the tile-laying decision becomes all-consuming, will you focus on protecting your island or take a calculated risk? The tension builds as players must communicate and coordinate their moves without directly interacting. This is not for casual gamers; Spirit Island demands attention to detail and long-term planning. If you're new to heavy strategy games or prefer light-hearted, quick plays, look elsewhere. But if you're up for the challenge, choose Spirit Island this week when: solo, on a rainy evening, because it's time to confront your inner island guardian.

_The spirits will whisper their secrets only to those who listen._

As I helped my sister settle into new motherhood, I saw firsthand how much time she spent reading to her baby and keeping up with parenting blogs on her e-reader. That's why I think the BenQ Genie e-Reading Desk Lamp, Matte Silver is an excellent choice for any new parent who wants to express their gratitude.

This lamp doesn't just illuminate the page - it adjusts its brightness based on the surrounding light, making it perfect for those late-night reading sessions. And unlike a traditional desk lamp, it spreads an even arc of light across the whole page, reducing eye strain. The obvious alternative might be a bouquet of flowers or a gift card, but this thoughtful and practical gift will show you care about their well-being long after the thank-you note is signed.

_Timing is everything: consider adding it to your next gift-giving rotation._

OpenAI's gpt-oss-safeguard-20b is a notable addition to our catalog today due to its impressive context length of 131072, making it well-suited for tasks that require in-depth, multi-turn conversations.

This model excels in applications where users need to engage in lengthy dialogue flows, such as customer service chatbots or virtual assistants. Its large context window allows it to retain contextual understanding and provide more informed responses, resulting in a more natural conversation experience. However, be aware that this increased capacity comes at the cost of higher output prices.

_When high-quality dialogue is worth investing in, don't overlook gpt-oss-safeguard-20b._

The current market landscape on Kalshi and Polymarket presents an interesting dichotomy. On one hand, we see a plethora of longshot markets with high volumes, such as "Will Donald Trump Jr. win the 2028 Republican presidential nomination?" and "Will the Doge-1 Lunar Mission launch by December 31, 2026?". These markets demonstrate significant interest in speculative outcomes, often driven by enthusiasm or novelty rather than fundamental analysis.

However, it's essential to separate noise from signal. Among the top five most traded markets, only one appears to be a genuine underdog story: "Will Arsenal win the 2026-27 English Premier League (EPL) Championship?" at 46¢. The remaining four are either strong favorites or possess an element of legitimacy in their respective outcomes.

A closer examination of these longshot markets reveals that they often serve as proxies for broader cultural or social trends. They may not provide reliable information about the underlying probabilities but do offer insight into human curiosity and speculation. Investors should be cautious when allocating resources to these markets, recognizing that value lies elsewhere.

Tomorrow's traders might want to keep an eye on "Will the US Federal Reserve raise interest rates again in Q4 2026?" as it approaches critical mass.

The current US housing market data reveals a nuanced landscape of regional disparities. On one hand, cities like Rockford, Illinois, and Utica, New York, are experiencing significant year-over-year (YoY) gains, with prices increasing by 8.7% and 6.8%, respectively.

Meanwhile, areas like Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Raleigh, North Carolina, have seen substantial price cuts, with reductions of 37.9% and 36.3%, respectively. These trends suggest that regional supply-demand dynamics are playing a significant role in shaping the market. Cities with limited housing stock or strong local economies seem to be driving up prices, while areas with excess inventory are offering more attractive discounts.

The data suggests that next month's focus should be on analyzing the sustainability of these price cut trends and how they might impact regional growth. Specifically, it would be worth examining whether cities like Colorado Springs will continue to see large price cuts as their market adjusts to changing conditions.

As we step into September, the air cools and the scent of spices wafts through our kitchens. In traditional Turkish desserts like baklava, the delicate balance of spices is crucial to unlocking their full flavor potential. Take ground cardamom, for instance - often overlooked in favor of more assertive spices, it brings a subtle, sweet warmth that complements the sweetness of sugar and ricotta beautifully.

The use of ricotta in this recipe is also noteworthy, as it adds a creamy texture and a hint of acidity to balance out the richness of the nuts. And speaking of nuts, the combination of walnuts, pecans, and almonds provides a delightful contrast in texture and flavor.

For those looking to try something new, consider serving baklava with a cup of strong Turkish coffee or tea - the bold flavors will cut through the sweetness of the dessert nicely. Visit the recipe page for the full recipe and more inspiration from our archives.