Tag: USB-C charging

Keep this $85 gadget in your car — because nothing ruins a day like a dead battery

You’re running late, it’s raining, and the engine won’t turn over. Cue the dread. For the cost of a couple of takeout meals, Costco right now is selling a compact solution that turns a ruined morning into a five-minute problem: the Michelin Portable Jump Starter and 10,000 mAh LiFePO4 Power Bank — commonly listed at $84.99.

This isn’t just another flashy battery pack. It’s a pragmatic emergency tool that doubles as a power bank, flashlight, and — most importantly — a jump starter. If you spend any time on the road, it’s worth carving out a corner of the trunk for.

Why this one deserves a spot in your car

• It’s a true two-in-one: a 10,000 mAh LiFePO4 battery that functions as a power bank for phones and a 12V jump starter for common passenger vehicles.
• LiFePO4 chemistry is safer and longer-lived than typical lithium-ion cells, so the device is less likely to swell, overheat, or degrade quickly.
• Costco listing shows strong user sentiment: about a 4.5-star rating from 200+ reviews (availability and ratings can vary by region).
• It ships with jumper cables, a USB-C charge cable, a 12V car charger, and a storage bag — everything you’d need to stash it and forget it until needed.
• Built-in emergency lighting (including strobe and SOS modes) makes it helpful for roadside visibility at night.

What it can and can’t do

• What it can do:

  • Jump most small-to-mid-size passenger cars or deliver enough cranking current for typical sedans.
  • Charge phones, tablets, and small USB devices when you’re away from an outlet.
  • Provide emergency illumination and a visible SOS/strobe if you’re stranded at night.

• What it might struggle with:

  • Very large engines (big V8s, diesel trucks) or batteries in extreme cold may require a higher-capacity pack rated for higher peak amps.
  • Some users report effectiveness drops in extreme subzero conditions, which isn’t unusual for portable battery tech.
  • If a vehicle’s battery is completely failed (not just discharged), a jump pack might not help — it can only provide a boost, not replace a bad battery.

Practical tips for storing and using a jump starter

• Keep it charged: LiFePO4 holds charge well, but the unit should still be checked every few months. If you store it in an attached garage or trunk, a quick top-up every 3 months is reasonable.
• Learn the clamp etiquette: red to positive (+), black to negative (–) or vehicle chassis ground per the manual. Incorrect connections can damage electronics or safety systems.
• Read the manual before you need it: know the LED indicators, safety interlocks, and the recommended cranking procedure for your car.
• Keep it accessible: trunk or cargo area is fine — but put it somewhere you can get to in rain or snow without unpacking the entire trunk.
• Consider specs if you have a big vehicle: look for higher peak-amp ratings if you regularly need to service trucks, large SUVs, or diesel engines.

Practical value vs. price

At $84.99, this Michelin unit sits in the mid-range for consumer jump starters. It competes favorably because of the LiFePO4 cell chemistry and Costco’s broad return policy, plus the bundled accessories. If you compare to higher-end units with massive peak amps and air compressors, those cost more — but for everyday drivers who want a compact, reliable emergency tool, this is a sensible compromise.

Lessons from real users

• Many owners praise its reliability and long battery life for charging phones and for the occasional jump.
• Online threads show occasional reports of failure when used in extreme cold or when trying to jump very large vehicles; that’s a reminder to match the tool to your vehicle’s needs.
• Buying through Costco provides the safety net of returns and broad availability in many areas, which matters when you want to test the device risk-free.

Quick points to scan

• Product: Michelin Portable Jump Starter and 10,000 mAh LiFePO4 Power Bank.
• Price at Costco (as listed recently): $84.99.
• Battery: 10,000 mAh LiFePO4.
• Extras: jumper cables, USB-C cable, 12V car charger, storage bag, emergency lighting.
• Rating snapshot: roughly 4.5 stars from ~200+ reviews on Costco’s site (subject to change).

My take

This is the kind of practical purchase that quietly repays itself the first time it saves you from waiting for a tow or borrowing cables in a parking lot. It won’t replace a professional roadside kit for heavy-duty work, but for most daily drivers it’s the best kind of insurance: inexpensive, easy to store, and genuinely useful. If you value peace of mind on the road, it’s an easy add to your car essentials.

Sources

• The $85 USB Gadget From Costco You Should Always Keep In Your Car For Emergencies — BGR.
  https://www.bgr.com/2111070/costco-usb-gadget-keep-in-car-for-emergencies/

• Michelin Portable Jump Starter and 10,000mAh LiFePO4 Power Bank — Costco product page.
  https://www.costco.com/michelin-portable-jump-starter-and-10%252c000mah-lifepo4-power-bank.product.4000204846.html

• MICHELIN Portable Jump Starter Provides Powerful Boost — Michelin North America press release.
  https://michelinmedia.com/pages/blog/detail/article/c/a1068/

A faithful throwback: ModRetro’s M64 and the return of the N64 controller

The image of an original Nintendo 64 controller — that odd three-pronged trident, a chunky thumbstick centered like an awkward crown — still sparks a weird, affectionate debate. Is it genius or relic? ModRetro may have just answered that question by leaning into nostalgia. The company unveiled the design for its upcoming M64 console and, yes, recreated the classic N64 controller almost perfectly. But the reveal leaves the bigger, juicier questions — performance, features, and real-world polish — tantalizingly unanswered.

Why this matters beyond nostalgia

It’s easy to shrug this off as another retro-lite product for collectors. But the M64 sits at an interesting crossroads in retro gaming hardware:

• It’s an FPGA-based system, which means it’s aiming for hardware-accurate reproduction of the original N64 experience rather than the software emulation most people are used to.
• The M64 arrives in a moment when multiple companies (Analogue being the most notable) are chasing faithful N64 remakes, and each choice — from controller design to FPGA selection — signals what “authentic” will mean for a new generation of retro consoles.
• The controller decision matters. Analogue partnered with 8BitDo to modernize the N64 pad; ModRetro chose authenticity. That’s a deliberate statement about the market they’re courting.

What ModRetro revealed

• Design: Translucent console shells in green, purple, and white that echo N64 colorways while peeking at internal hardware.
• Physical features: Top-mounted cartridge slot, four front controller ports, HDMI, multiple USB-C ports, and a microSD slot. A large power button and a dial labeled “Menu” are visible but not yet fully explained.
• Controller: A near-identical recreation of the original three-pronged N64 controller — central thumbstick, trigger layout, and the familiar silhouette — color-matched to the console.
• Price signaling: Introductory pricing reportedly set at $199, a cheeky nod to the original N64’s 1996 launch price. Availability details initially favored a waitlist, then expanded.

(Source coverage emphasized the design reveal more than performance specs.) (theverge.com)

The technical elephant in the room

Design and nostalgia sell photos. But for serious retro fans, the crucial question is: how well does it play?

• FPGA promise: ModRetro is positioning the M64 as FPGA-driven, meaning the goal is cycle-accurate recreation of the N64’s hardware behavior rather than pure software emulation. That’s the same philosophy behind Analogue’s work and the MiSTer community — and when done right, it makes classic games feel and respond like the originals. (theverge.com)
• Unknowns that matter:
  • Which FPGA and memory architecture are used? Those choices strongly influence how accurately the system can reproduce complex N64 graphics and timing.
  • Which N64 core or implementation is running on the hardware? Some recent reporting suggests ModRetro has ties to existing MiSTer N64 cores and contributors, which could be promising for fidelity. (timeextension.com)
  • Latency, upscaling, and compatibility (especially for tricky titles like Mario 64 or games that used specific cartridge expansion hardware) are still unproven.

The controller debate: authenticity vs. ergonomics

• Choosing authenticity: The recreated trident controller is a love letter to purists. For collectors and players who grew up on the original hardware, a faithful pad is comforting and — for some games — essential for the right feel.
• The ergonomic trade-off: The original design is polarizing. Modern reinterpretations (like Analogue’s 8BitDo collab or third-party controllers) try to keep the layout while improving sticks and shoulder inputs. ModRetro’s decision suggests they prioritize historical fidelity over ergonomic modernization. For competitive or long-session play, that could be a downside for some buyers. (theverge.com)

Market context and why ModRetro’s move is interesting

• Competition: Analogue’s 3D project and a slew of emulation-based solutions create a crowded field. Each approach — software emulation, FPGA, or hybrid — attracts different buyers. ModRetro is positioning the M64 as a lower-cost, authentic option in that space. (androidauthority.com)
• Community ties: Early signs indicate ModRetro is engaging with the MiSTer/FPGA community and possibly integrating proven N64 cores. If they contribute back or collaborate, that could elevate the platform’s credibility among enthusiasts. (timeextension.com)
• Brand context: ModRetro’s founder, Palmer Luckey, is a visible and polarizing figure; that shapes public reaction and coverage even when the product itself is broadly appealing to retro fans. Expect PR noise to mingle with product discussion.

What to look for next

• Detailed spec sheet: FPGA model, RAM configuration, video pipeline, and exact I/O functionality (what that Menu dial actually does).
• Compatibility list: Which cartridges work out of the box, and how the system handles edge cases and expansion carts.
• Controller feel tests: Stick drift prevention, deadzone behavior, and whether the recreated controller uses modern sensors or vintage-style potentiometers.
• Public demos and hands-on reviews: Playable showings (like retro expos) or early review units will reveal whether the M64’s claims match reality. (androidauthority.com)

Quick highlights for skimmers

• The M64 is an FPGA-based N64 tribute with a nearly identical recreation of the original trident controller.
• ModRetro favors authenticity over modernized ergonomics.
• Important technical and performance details remain unconfirmed; community FPGA cores may be part of the plan.
• Intro pricing at $199 echoes the original N64 launch cost.

My take

Seeing the M64’s translucent shell and faithful controller design gives me nostalgia goosebumps — it’s a crisp visual promise. But hardware nostalgia is only worth so much on Instagram shots and product renders. The real story will be whether ModRetro’s engineering choices deliver a low-latency, high-compatibility experience that respects the weird quirks of N64 hardware. If they pull that off at the reported price, the M64 could be a delightful, more affordable competitor in a market that’s been hungry for faithful N64 hardware for years.

Sources

• ModRetro recreated the N64 controller for its M64 console — The Verge
  https://www.theverge.com/news/831498/modretro-m64-console-4k-fpga-nintendo-64-clone

• ModRetro's N64 Tribute Console Has A Price, Launches Later This Year — GameSpot
  https://www.gamespot.com/articles/modretros-n64-tribute-console-has-a-price-launches-later-this-year/1100-6533380/

• ModRetro's N64 clone is fully playable and ready for the spotlight — Android Authority
  https://www.androidauthority.com/modretro-nintendo-64-fpga-m64-pricing-3580094/

• ModRetro's FPGA N64 Uses FPGAzumSpass's MiSTer N64 Core — Time Extension
  https://www.timeextension.com/news/2025/08/modretros-fpga-n64-uses-fpgazumspasss-mister-n64-core

Snag the Latest AirPods Max at Unbeatable Prices – A Deal You Can’t Miss!

If you’ve been eyeing a pair of Apple’s sleek AirPods Max, now might be the perfect time to strike while the iron is hot. With prices slashed by $120 at major retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart, these premium headphones are available at their lowest price in months. But let’s dig a little deeper into what makes these headphones so desirable and why you should consider grabbing them during this limited-time offer.

Why AirPods Max Are Worth Your Attention

Apple continues to innovate and dominate the audio market, and the AirPods Max are a testament to that legacy. With their stunning design, remarkable sound quality, and seamless integration into the Apple ecosystem, these headphones have quickly become a favorite among audiophiles and casual listeners alike. Released with a USB-C charging port, they also reflect Apple’s gradual transition to a more universal charging standard, which is a welcome change for many.

Just recently, during Amazon’s Prime Day sales, shoppers were treated to some incredible deals on tech products, and the AirPods Max were no exception. As tech enthusiasts flock to find the best gear at the best prices, the discounts on these headphones stand out as a fantastic opportunity.

Key Takeaways

– Significant Savings: The AirPods Max are currently $120 off, available at Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart, making them more accessible than ever. – High-Quality Sound: Known for their outstanding audio performance, these headphones offer immersive sound quality that elevates your listening experience. – USB-C Charging: The latest model features a USB-C port for charging, aligning with Apple’s push toward standardization and convenience. – Compatibility: While designed with Apple devices in mind, the AirPods Max also work seamlessly with non-Apple devices, making them versatile for various users. – Limited-Time Offer: Prices like this don’t last forever. If you’ve been considering an upgrade to your audio gear, now is the time to act!

Reflecting on the Value of Quality Audio Gear

In an age where we’re constantly bombarded with audio — from podcasts to music streaming — investing in high-quality headphones can significantly enhance your listening experience. The AirPods Max not only deliver on sound quality but also come with the added benefit of comfort and style. So, whether you’re working from home, commuting, or just unwinding with your favorite tunes, these headphones can elevate every moment.

If you’ve been contemplating whether to take the plunge on a pair of AirPods Max, this promotional pricing is a compelling reason to make the leap. Don’t let this opportunity slip by; your ears will thank you!

Sources

– “You can still get the latest AirPods Max at their Prime Day price – The Verge.” [The Verge](https://www.theverge.com)

Happy shopping, and may your audio adventures be ever enjoyable!