Dan Ackerman
@danackerman.bsky.social
Editor in Chief, Micro Center. Former EiC Gizmodo; Editorial Director, CNET/CBS. Yes, I wrote that book about Tetris. Subscribe to my super sweet newsletter: danackerman.substack.com
I don't get to review nearly as many laptops as I used to (back when that was my primary job), but I really liked getting hands on with this super-slim gaming laptop, the Acer Predator Triton 14 AI. Full review on @micro-center.bsky.social's MC News: www.microcenter.com/site/mc-news...
February 13, 2026 at 3:38 PM
I don't get to review nearly as many laptops as I used to (back when that was my primary job), but I really liked getting hands on with this super-slim gaming laptop, the Acer Predator Triton 14 AI. Full review on @micro-center.bsky.social's MC News: www.microcenter.com/site/mc-news...
Good point from this essay on the current state of AI: "The gap between public perception and current reality is now enormous." It's true that much of the public's perception of AI is based on 2023/2024 versions that are nowhere close to the latest models. shumer.dev/something-bi...
Something Big Is Happening
A personal note for non-tech friends and family on what AI is starting to change.
shumer.dev
February 11, 2026 at 3:16 PM
Good point from this essay on the current state of AI: "The gap between public perception and current reality is now enormous." It's true that much of the public's perception of AI is based on 2023/2024 versions that are nowhere close to the latest models. shumer.dev/something-bi...
From my latest free newsletter: "You own your ideas. You own your content. You don’t own the algorithmically determined slot machine of search engine, AI overview, or social media platform promotion." danackerman.substack.com/p/the-one-me...
The One Media Model that Makes Sense
Unless you fully own your audience, you're only renting success.
danackerman.substack.com
February 10, 2026 at 5:56 PM
From my latest free newsletter: "You own your ideas. You own your content. You don’t own the algorithmically determined slot machine of search engine, AI overview, or social media platform promotion." danackerman.substack.com/p/the-one-me...
"This is the newsletter I didn’t want to have to write." In the wake of yet another wave of journalism job cuts, it’s important to look at what has a chance of working (owning your eyeballs) and what doesn't (depending on a platform you don’t control). danackerman.substack.com/p/the-one-me...
The One Media Model that Makes Sense
Unless you fully own your audience, you're only renting success.
danackerman.substack.com
February 9, 2026 at 3:47 PM
"This is the newsletter I didn’t want to have to write." In the wake of yet another wave of journalism job cuts, it’s important to look at what has a chance of working (owning your eyeballs) and what doesn't (depending on a platform you don’t control). danackerman.substack.com/p/the-one-me...
Here's the real key point behind all this: "Online search traffic, partly because of the rise of generative A.I., had fallen by nearly half in the last three years." That inescapable decline is what makes me dubious of almost all media biz models right now. www.nytimes.com/2026/02/04/b...
Washington Post Begins Laying Off More Than 300 Journalists
www.nytimes.com
February 4, 2026 at 5:59 PM
Here's the real key point behind all this: "Online search traffic, partly because of the rise of generative A.I., had fallen by nearly half in the last three years." That inescapable decline is what makes me dubious of almost all media biz models right now. www.nytimes.com/2026/02/04/b...
These are a few of the 3D-printed custom bookmarks for vintage sci-fi paperbacks I made with my new app, which takes any photo and turns it into a 4-color 3mf file (I use a Bambu A1 multi-color 3D printer). Totally free, so try it yourself at www.3dbookmark.app
January 28, 2026 at 3:48 PM
These are a few of the 3D-printed custom bookmarks for vintage sci-fi paperbacks I made with my new app, which takes any photo and turns it into a 4-color 3mf file (I use a Bambu A1 multi-color 3D printer). Totally free, so try it yourself at www.3dbookmark.app
Well, I tried Claude Cowork, and the very first thing I asked it to do, organize the 300+ screenshots in my Documents folder, it hit a usage cap. That's literally the example everyone gives as the perfect task for Cowork. ¯\(ツ)/¯
January 28, 2026 at 1:28 AM
Well, I tried Claude Cowork, and the very first thing I asked it to do, organize the 300+ screenshots in my Documents folder, it hit a usage cap. That's literally the example everyone gives as the perfect task for Cowork. ¯\(ツ)/¯
Installed some bias lighting on the TV — dead simple, just a @goveeofficial Govee Neon Rope Light. Ignore the fact that I was watching the remake of The Running Man…
January 27, 2026 at 6:41 PM
Installed some bias lighting on the TV — dead simple, just a @goveeofficial Govee Neon Rope Light. Ignore the fact that I was watching the remake of The Running Man…
With more tech media layoff news looming, I went back to this advice on navigating a Google Zero world: "Create something that a reader/viewer/listener can consume and feel like their time and attention was well-spent. That’s it. That’s the gig." More here: danackerman.substack.com/p/clicking-i...
Clicking Into Nowhere: Where Will Web Traffic Go in 2026?
The Google Zero effect is just getting started.
danackerman.substack.com
January 26, 2026 at 7:38 PM
With more tech media layoff news looming, I went back to this advice on navigating a Google Zero world: "Create something that a reader/viewer/listener can consume and feel like their time and attention was well-spent. That’s it. That’s the gig." More here: danackerman.substack.com/p/clicking-i...
I wanted to try vibe coding, so I made an app that takes any image and turns it into a 4-color 3mf bookmark design for 3D printing. I've been using it to make custom bookmarks for vintage scifi paperbacks. Check it out at 3dbookmark.app -- and here's video explainer: www.youtube.com/shorts/xjQbW...
I Vibe-Coded a 3D Printing App...and it Doesn't Suck
YouTube video by Dan Ackerman
www.youtube.com
January 25, 2026 at 5:20 PM
I wanted to try vibe coding, so I made an app that takes any image and turns it into a 4-color 3mf bookmark design for 3D printing. I've been using it to make custom bookmarks for vintage scifi paperbacks. Check it out at 3dbookmark.app -- and here's video explainer: www.youtube.com/shorts/xjQbW...
ICYMI, from my latest free newsletter on navigating news media in a Google Zero world: "Create something that a reader/viewer/listener can consume and feel like their time and attention was well-spent. That’s it. That’s the gig." danackerman.substack.com/p/clicking-i...
Clicking Into Nowhere: Where Will Web Traffic Go in 2026?
The Google Zero effect is just getting started.
danackerman.substack.com
January 24, 2026 at 6:30 PM
ICYMI, from my latest free newsletter on navigating news media in a Google Zero world: "Create something that a reader/viewer/listener can consume and feel like their time and attention was well-spent. That’s it. That’s the gig." danackerman.substack.com/p/clicking-i...
Interested in harnessing the power of local AI? This great explainer on Nvidia's NVFP4 dives into some of the complexities of model quantization for specialized hardware: www.microcenter.com/site/mc-news...
January 21, 2026 at 3:22 PM
Interested in harnessing the power of local AI? This great explainer on Nvidia's NVFP4 dives into some of the complexities of model quantization for specialized hardware: www.microcenter.com/site/mc-news...
Writing about the crisis in search traffic for media in my newsletter: "I generally take a long view, as I’ve been doing this since before web traffic was a thing. And it looks like I’ll be here after, as well, if the Google Zero train keeps rolling." More: danackerman.substack.com/p/clicking-i...
Clicking Into Nowhere: Where Will Web Traffic Go in 2026?
The Google Zero effect is just getting started.
danackerman.substack.com
January 20, 2026 at 5:58 PM
Writing about the crisis in search traffic for media in my newsletter: "I generally take a long view, as I’ve been doing this since before web traffic was a thing. And it looks like I’ll be here after, as well, if the Google Zero train keeps rolling." More: danackerman.substack.com/p/clicking-i...
Google Zero is just getting started. The media math for 2026 is grim and search traffic is expected to plummet even further over the next few years. My latest newsletter digs into some historical context to explain what really matters for writers and editors. danackerman.substack.com/p/clicking-i...
Clicking Into Nowhere: Where Will Web Traffic Go in 2026?
The Google Zero effect is just getting started.
danackerman.substack.com
January 19, 2026 at 6:12 PM
Google Zero is just getting started. The media math for 2026 is grim and search traffic is expected to plummet even further over the next few years. My latest newsletter digs into some historical context to explain what really matters for writers and editors. danackerman.substack.com/p/clicking-i...
Someone named this character in The Outer Worlds 2 after the nearby Hoyt–Schermerhorn subway station here in Brooklyn…
January 18, 2026 at 2:16 AM
Someone named this character in The Outer Worlds 2 after the nearby Hoyt–Schermerhorn subway station here in Brooklyn…
The New York Game Awards are this weekend! It's the show's 15th year, so watch online Sunday evening or come see it in person at the SVA Theater in Manhattan! (Also cool gaming stuff going on at the same venue Saturday.) Detail and tix: nygamecritics.com/awards/
The New York Game Awards
The New York Videogame Critics Circle (NYVGCC) is going big for the 2026 New York Game Awards with a two-day festival hosted at the renowned SVA Theatre in Manhattan on Sat…
nygamecritics.com
January 16, 2026 at 8:33 PM
The New York Game Awards are this weekend! It's the show's 15th year, so watch online Sunday evening or come see it in person at the SVA Theater in Manhattan! (Also cool gaming stuff going on at the same venue Saturday.) Detail and tix: nygamecritics.com/awards/
I've been so busy with CES that the 15th Annual New York Game Awards has kinda snuck up on me! The NY Game Awards show is Jan 18, and GG Fest, a new mini game festival is Jan 17, both at the SVA Theater in Manhattan. Details, sked, tix, etc. are here: www.eventbrite.com/e/15th-ny-ga...
15th NY Game Awards + GG Fest + Supergiant Concert!
Get ready for two unforgettable days celebrating the artistry, creativity, and community of video games! The 15th NY Game Awards + GG Fest!
www.eventbrite.com
January 13, 2026 at 7:22 PM
I've been so busy with CES that the 15th Annual New York Game Awards has kinda snuck up on me! The NY Game Awards show is Jan 18, and GG Fest, a new mini game festival is Jan 17, both at the SVA Theater in Manhattan. Details, sked, tix, etc. are here: www.eventbrite.com/e/15th-ny-ga...
IDC says, "Global PC shipments grew 9.6% year-over-year in the fourth quarter of 2025." And there was a lot of positive PC energy on display at CES 2026. New chips, new laptops, etc. Speaking of CES, here's a recap of what my team saw on the ground last week: www.microcenter.com/site/mc-news...
January 13, 2026 at 5:14 PM
IDC says, "Global PC shipments grew 9.6% year-over-year in the fourth quarter of 2025." And there was a lot of positive PC energy on display at CES 2026. New chips, new laptops, etc. Speaking of CES, here's a recap of what my team saw on the ground last week: www.microcenter.com/site/mc-news...
This is fun -- Micro Center and PSA are teaming up to host an in-person event at the Tustin, CA MC store on Jan 31. You can literally rip, pull, and submit right at the store. Details here via MC News: www.microcenter.com/site/mc-news...
January 12, 2026 at 10:05 PM
This is fun -- Micro Center and PSA are teaming up to host an in-person event at the Tustin, CA MC store on Jan 31. You can literally rip, pull, and submit right at the store. Details here via MC News: www.microcenter.com/site/mc-news...
Wrapping up yet another CES! And a pretty good one, too. Here’s my very quick recap of some of things I liked the most, from laptops with expanding screens to a crazy plate-spinning dinner show, all boiled down to 90 tight seconds. youtube.com/shorts/zncH3...
CES 2026 in 90 Seconds!
YouTube video by Dan Ackerman
youtube.com
January 8, 2026 at 8:16 PM
Wrapping up yet another CES! And a pretty good one, too. Here’s my very quick recap of some of things I liked the most, from laptops with expanding screens to a crazy plate-spinning dinner show, all boiled down to 90 tight seconds. youtube.com/shorts/zncH3...
Key number from CES 2026. Get ready to hear about YottaFlops, which is what future AI compute demands may require. That’s a 1 followed by 24 zeroes.
January 6, 2026 at 2:47 AM
Key number from CES 2026. Get ready to hear about YottaFlops, which is what future AI compute demands may require. That’s a 1 followed by 24 zeroes.
One of the first big stories from CES 2026: Qualcomm is expanding its PC chip lineup with the new Snapdragon X2 Plus. More at MC News: microcenter.com/site/mc-news...
January 5, 2026 at 5:26 PM
One of the first big stories from CES 2026: Qualcomm is expanding its PC chip lineup with the new Snapdragon X2 Plus. More at MC News: microcenter.com/site/mc-news...
Don’t let anyone tell you CES don’t “officially” start until Jan 6. It’s Sunday and I’m here with my whole crew and we’re going to meetings, writing articles, shooting videos, etc. (Same as every other year, tbh)
January 4, 2026 at 10:50 PM
Don’t let anyone tell you CES don’t “officially” start until Jan 6. It’s Sunday and I’m here with my whole crew and we’re going to meetings, writing articles, shooting videos, etc. (Same as every other year, tbh)
I really liked what the @tested.com team did with their “Favorite Things of 2025” video series, so I did something similar in lieu of a year-in-review post. I called it "My Indispensable Gear of 2025" and its in my latest free newsletter: danackerman.substack.com/p/not-anothe...
Not Another Gift Guide: My Indispensable Gear of 2025
I look at a lot of products, gadgets, and tools every year. Here's what I actually end up using.
danackerman.substack.com
December 27, 2025 at 5:53 PM
I really liked what the @tested.com team did with their “Favorite Things of 2025” video series, so I did something similar in lieu of a year-in-review post. I called it "My Indispensable Gear of 2025" and its in my latest free newsletter: danackerman.substack.com/p/not-anothe...
Check out this epic video from the @micro-center.bsky.social team -- designing and building a huge 3D-printed Fallout: New Vegas setup with a Vegas strip diorama, working Raspberry Pi Pip Boy, Fallout gaming PC, etc. www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGCb...
Building the New Vegas Strip at Micro Center! Fallout Maker Project Episode 1
YouTube video by Micro Center
www.youtube.com
December 23, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Check out this epic video from the @micro-center.bsky.social team -- designing and building a huge 3D-printed Fallout: New Vegas setup with a Vegas strip diorama, working Raspberry Pi Pip Boy, Fallout gaming PC, etc. www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGCb...