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Upgrading the BIOS of a Windows 11 Mini PC with BitLocker: My 2026 Experience

Khadas Mind 2 BIOS update

I don’t always update the BIOS of my system, but when I do, I always make sure to waste several hours doing so. Last time I did that was in 2020, but this happened again when I updated the BIOS for the Khadas Mind 2 to test it with the Mind xPlay display and Mind Graphics 2 dock. Khadas provides the BIOS with instructions to update the Mind 2 mini PC, and it’s supposed to take five minutes, but I ended up wasting two about hours… The first step is to download and extract a zip file (mind-2-bios-v1.07-260122.zip), then start the Flash_BIOS upgrade program, and finally wait for the upgrade to complete. That part went great. No problem, but when the system rebooted, I was greeted by a BitLocker window asking me to enter a recovery key to carry on with the boot process. There’s no way to avoid this, […]

The post My experience upgrading the BIOS of a Windows 11 mini PC (with BitLocker) in 2026 appeared first on CNX Software – Embedded Systems News.

Utilizing HDMI for Daisy Chaining Displays: Opportunities and Constraints

lacks essential functionalities that other cables provide. Specifically, HDMI does not accommodate Multi-Stream Transport (MST), a feature reserved for cables adhering to the DisplayPort 1.2 standard or more advanced, which includes USB-C and Thunderbolt. Since 2014, USB-C has been compatible with DisplayPort, thereby enabling MST. Nevertheless, certain contemporary computers, such as those using Apple Silicon, do not support MST. In such instances, it is advisable to utilize docks that are Thunderbolt 4 or USB4-compatible for connecting multiple displays.

Thunderbolt is the method for daisy chaining in 2026

Docks are available that transform DisplayPort into HDMI, but this does not qualify as “daisy chaining” in the same respect. These adapters and docks merely translate the MST signal into dual video outputs, extending a single cable to multiple outputs. True daisy chaining entails connecting cables to two distinct ports, then linking to the next monitor, with a singular output from the laptop or computer. 

If your intention is to daisy chain monitors in 2026, the most reliable choice is Thunderbolt. Although the USB4 standard competes with Thunderbolt in numerous aspects, including peak transfer rates, it still falls short compared to Thunderbolt. However, Thunderbolt can be quite pricey, with short cables priced between $20 and $129 if purchased from Apple for the 1.2m-long variant.

Monitors that are compatible with daisy-chaining will

Grasping the 60-60 Principle for Secure Headphone Usage

using headphones for extended durations.

It’s not solely about ear safety, but also the potential for hearing impairment. This is where the 60-60 guideline can be beneficial, as it aids headphone users in safeguarding their ear health and hearing abilities. The guideline is simple to recall and encompasses two factors: sound intensity and exposure time. The 60-60 guideline indicates that you should enjoy music at 60% of the headphones’ maximum volume for a maximum of 60 minutes before taking a pause. Following the 60-60 guideline would assist an individual in remaining within safe listening thresholds, and provide the ear opportunities to rest from sound exposure.

The World Health Organization (WHO) clarifies that continuous exposure to loud noises can result in a form of hearing loss termed noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). This occurs because the sensory cells within the ear that convey sound to the brain can be impacted by loud noises. The California Hearing Center further elucidates that the cells that facilitate hearing do not regenerate once damaged, rendering NIHL permanent. They emphasize that the three factors that can contribute to hearing loss are elevated volume, prolonged exposure, and cumulative exposure. The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders further elaborates that the damage can occur instantly when the volume is excessively loud. It can also develop over extended periods of exposure to high volume. This type of NIHL may initially go unnoticed, but some individuals might eventually display symptoms.

Why is 60% volume considered safe?

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Survey Uncovers Surprising Smartphone Brand at the Forefront of Customer Loyalty

SellCell.com evaluates information from users in 2026 and compares it to earlier surveys conducted by the company in 2019 and 2021. As per the findings, iPhone user loyalty has increased in recent years, jumping from 91.9% in 2021 to more than 96% in 2026. While this may appear to be a slight increase, it stands out notably when contrasted with Android’s 86.4% loyalty score.

There are several factors driving users to remain loyal to their iPhones. The primary reason is the comprehensive value that devices such as the iPhone 17 provide, particularly for those who are already deeply integrated into the Apple ecosystem.

Reasons behind the growing iPhone loyalty