"Gemini is coming to Google Home," a post reads on Google's official X account. "Come back October 1st," the message continues above an animation of a Nest camera peeking into the frame.
A link labeled "sign up for updates" sends users to the Google Store, where they can sign up for news.
It's not clear what type of reveal Google is planning for October 1; it could simply be a news release, or perhaps it will be a full-on media event. Google has previously held "Made by Google" events in the fall for new Nest devices.
The social media post is just the latest hint from Google that new Nest hardware is on the horizon.
Last month, Google let slip footage of a new Google Home smart speaker during its big Pixel event. The device, which looks roughly the size of an Amazon Echo Dot or an Apple HomePod Mini, is the first glimpse we've seen of a new Google smart speaker since the Nest Audio in 2020.
Shortly thereafter, Android Headlines published leaked images of the speaker (which it referred to as the "Google Home Speaker") along with a new slate of Nest Cams, including a wired outdoor camera, an indoor cam, and a new Nest
If you're feeling more ambitious, you can venture into smart string lights, light strips, wall and ceiling fixtures, smart lamps, and even smart lighting for the yard or other outdoor areas.
Our guide to the best smart lighting can help you navigate the thicket of options, from the various smart light manufacturers (like Philips Hue, LIFX, Nanoleaf, and Wyze) to the connectivity standards (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, and Matter). We'll also let you know which voice assistants (like Alexa, Apple's Siri, and Google Assistant) work with which lights.
Best smart light reviews
Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance - Best color smart bulb
While users on Amazon Prime Video and Peacock can also stream NFL matchups, Paramount is the only standard streaming service (not counting YouTube's NFL Sunday Ticket, or live TV services like Hulu Live TV, Sling TV, and YouTube TV) to offer non-primetime Sunday games, which makes it perfect for fans whose teams aren't being showcased on Thursday Night Football (on Amazon Prime) or on Sunday night (for Peacock).
But which Paramount tiers get access to the NFL, and which devices will allow you to stream NFL games? Read on for the details.
Get a one-week free trial of Paramount Sign UP
What to know about streaming the NFL on Paramount
1.
Which Paramount subscriptions include the NFL?
This Anker charging station is absolutely gorgeous. With a clean design that features a charging plate and a tree-like structure, it will only take up very little space on your desk or nightstand. The plate serves as a charging spot for your AirPods, for instance, while the tree includes magnetic chargers for your Apple Watch and iPhone. It's Qi2 certified, so it'll change your iPhone at a full 15W and you can flip it to landscape to activate StandBy mode.
Whether you want to place it on your home office desk or on your nightstand, it's sure to look great and keep your Apple gear fully charged and ready to go. So go grab one now at it's lowest price ever so it's ready for your new iPhone 17 when it arrives.
This 3-in-1 MagSafe charger is $40 off todayBuy now at Amazon
In the study, the Penn researchers tested seven different persuasive techniques on OpenAI's GPT-4o mini model, including authority, commitment, liking, reciprocity, scarcity, social proof, and unity.
The most successful method turned out to be commitment. By first getting the model to answer a seemingly innocent question, the researchers were then able to escalate to more rule-breaking responses. One example was when the model first agreed to use milder insults before also accepting harsher ones.
Techniques such as flattery and peer pressure also had an effect, albeit to a lesser extent. Nevertheless, these methods demonstrably increased the likelihood of the AI model giving in to forbidden requests.
This Lenovo IdeaPad 1i is a budget design down to its bones, but it has a few upgrades over the IdeaPad 1i's extremely underpowered base model: a surprising amount of power from a 13th-gen Intel Core i5 processor, the aforementioned 16GB of DDR4 RAM, and 512GB of SSD storage. The 15.6-inch 1080p screen is a touch panel (a rare sight at this price), and Intel Xe graphics should provide enough juice to run Minecraft on basic settings (or pretty much any 2D game).
Don't expect miracles from the underpowered battery, but you at least get plenty of ports (USB-C, double USB-A, full-sized HDMI, and an SD card reader) and a full-sized keyboard with a number pad. I also like the privacy shutter for the webcam, though there's no mention of an IR sensor for Windows Hello compatibility.
This laptop would be pretty good at $500, but it's an absolute bargain at $380—and because of that, I don't suspect it'll stay in stock for very long. Best Buy is only selling it at this price today, with the deal ending at 1 AM Eastern US time according to the product page. It also says there are only three at my near
According to YouTube's official guidelines, this has been prohibited since 2023, back when Netflix introduced stricter rules against password sharing, prompting other streaming services to follow suit.
There have also been repeated reports of YouTube cancelling cheap subscriptions from abroad—which were often subscribed to using a VPN service—without warning. This is particularly annoying for anyone who would otherwise be unable to afford YouTube Premium yet is still willing to pay YouTube something for the privilege of premium features.
14-day deadline
Affected users who receive an email from YouTube are apparently informed of a 14-day deadline. After this period, all premium features (such as ad-free viewing and offline downloads) will be cancelled, regardless of how much time actually remains on the subscription.
The YouTube account itself will apparently not be blocked. There's only talk of blocking the family membership. Presumably, all users (except for the account holder) will be banned if YouTube detects a violation
Our picks for best Windows backup software will keep the tears to a minimum if and when your primary local data repository is compromised.
What backup utilities come with Windows?
Sadly, while other operating systems make backup easy, Microsoft saddles users with a patchwork system of utilities and holdover imaging tools from Windows 7.
Some of these work quite well (Restore Points, File History), some don't (System Repair Disc, Recovery Drive). None are suitable for quick and easy disaster recovery — even the online Backup that is available when you use Windows with a Microsoft cloud account.
Thankfully, there are a number of highly capable and far more reliable third-party backup options for Windows that cover the panoply of backup, restore, migration, and disaster recovery.
[As PC users ourselves, we know what makes a product stand out. Only the best backup software makes this list. For more about our testing process, scroll to the bottom of this article.]
PROMOTION
Backup software powered by AI - EaseUS Todo Backup
EaseUS Todo Backup covers everything you need for backups. With AI smart backup, automate your backup ta
Not only is it packed with solid specs and features, it's capped off with a gorgeous 15-inch OLED display with a crisp 2560×1600 resolution and fast 165Hz refresh rate for smooth visuals at high frame rates. And with the RTX 5060 powering it all, you'll be able to play the latest games with Nvidia's latest tech, including DLSS 4 and frame generation.
Under the hood, this machine is fitted with an Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX processor, a hefty 32GB of speedy DDR5 RAM, and a roomy 1TB SSD. All of this makes for a laptop that easily breezes through your games, apps, and even a million browser tabs without breaking a sweat.
Connectivity isn't a worry here either. On the Lenovo Legion 5i, you'll find a next-gen USB4, a fast USB-C, three fast USB-A, plus HDMI 2.1 for an external 4K display, as well as LAN and 3.5mm audio. This one also comes with top-of-the-line Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.3.
This is an awesome price for an awesome gaming machine, so what are you waiting for? Get the Lenovo Legion 5i for $1,350 at B&H!
Save $350 on this high-performance laptop with RTX 5060 GPU
Once these updates are installed, future Windows updates that fix critical security vulnerabilities will be installed automatically as soon as the computer is connected to a network.
Users will reportedly be notified when such updates are available, but there's no way to decline their installation. In addition, when reinstalling Windows 11, Microsoft will ensure that the system is fully updated from the start, reports Neowin.
Windows 11 stumbles to Windows 10
While Microsoft has been trying for months to boost the popularity of Windows 11 and encourage Windows 10 users to switch over, the latest figures on Windows market share show a major setback for the company as Windows 11
DDR4 has been a bargain for system builders for years. Heck, that's why AMD keeps making new AM4 chips even as the world falls in love with the AM5 platform. But the biggest memory producers on the planet—Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron—are all setting an end-of-life date for DDR4 production. That's partly because of the sheer progress of technology (you can't stick to a format forever) and partly because there's a huge demand for newer memory with the expansion of data centers and the "AI" industry, as Digitimes reports via Tom's Hardware.
Between decreased hardware output creating a supply squeeze and a shift towards memory production for industrial applications, consumer-level RAM prices are likely to go even higher. While not all configurations are in high demand, you can see 2x8GB DDR4 desktop kits in the $35 to $50 range on Amazon US right now (September 2nd). That's equal to or higher than the same kits at much faster DDR5 specs. The pattern holds for laptop (SO-DIMM) kits, too.
Pricing trends are showing an increase for all but the smallest capacities of DDR4 kits, even as DDR5 becomes cheaper and more plentiful. That might spell the end of
Though technically a gaming chair, it has a clean and understated design that makes it a solid addition to any home office. It features a tall back, lumbar support, a comfy headrest, and flip-up armrests that make it easy to slip the chair under your desk when not in use. (While it isn't flimsy, it isn't exactly heavy duty—it supports up to 275 pounds.)
With over 10,000 reviews and a glowing 4.6-star rating on the Staples online store, the Emerge Vortex has earned high praise for its balance of comfort and affordability. Don't miss out on this chance to snag the Staples Emerge Vortex gaming chair for $130!
Save 50% on this budget-friendly ergonomic Staples gaming chairBuy now at Staples
It's a bit vague and doesn't explicitly point to any specific claim, but the announcement most likely refers to notifications sent to users impacted by a Google Salesforce database breach in June. The incident went viral, with headlines claiming that Google sent out sweeping notifications to all Gmail users about an increased prevalence of phishing attacks.
According to Google, Gmail has strong protections in place that stop over 99.9 percent of all phishing and malware attempts before they reach users, the Gmail developers are always innovating, and the Gmail team strives to communicate clearly about risks and protections.
"Security is such an important item for all companies, all customers, all users—we take this work incredibly seriously. Our teams invest heavily, innovate constantly, and communicate clearly about the risks and protections we have in place. It's crucial that conversation in this space is accurate and factual," Google writes.
Google ends the announcement with the following best practices for Gmail users: use a secure password alternative like passkeys and learn how to spot phishing attacks.
This announcement comes in the wake of last month's Gmail security incident that
Say hello to the Lemokey L0 HE by Keychron. This is ostensibly a premium alternative to the Lemokey X0, the company's previous attempt at a one-handed gaming keypad. But this one is a lot more blinged out, more akin to the Keychron Q series of keyboards.
It's got a chunky full-aluminum body, magnetic switches for adjustable actuation, and fancy PBT keycaps that still show off some RGB bling thanks to some transparent windows. You also get a snazzy scrolling knob, multiple levels of internal foam, programming options via a browser tool, and the removable USB-C cable missing in the original design.
Microsoft said in a service alert (spotted by BleepingComputer) that it found no connection between the problems described by some users and Windows 11 update KB5063878, and that it couldn't reproduce the problem on current systems. The company then began collecting user reports with additional details from those affected.
"After thorough investigation, Microsoft has found no connection between the August 2025 Windows security update and the types of hard drive failures reported on social media," Microsoft said. "As always, we continue to monitor feedback after the release of every Windows update, and will investigate any future reports."
Microsoft has been working with storage device partners to reproduce the problem, but noted that neither telemetry data nor internal testing has shown an increase in hard drive failures or file corruptions after installing the August 2025 Windows 11 24H2 security update.
Among others, NAND controller manufacturer Phison worked with Microsoft to fix the problem, but
The Revodok Pro is a delightful 7-in-1 USB-C hub and a superb pick for anyone who wants to attach more stuff to their laptop without paying too much for the opportunity. This one features dual HDMI ports that each support a 4K@60Hz display, instantly turning your laptop into a proper workstation. Just imagine how much more productive you could be if you had two full-blown 4K monitors for spreading your apps around.
On top of those HDMI ports, you also get two 10Gbps USB-A ports and two 10Gbps USB-C ports, plus another charging-only USB-C port with 100W of power delivery. That means you can hook up all kinds of drives and peripherals while keeping your laptop powered, and those fast ports are compatible with both Thunderbolt 3 and 4.
This tiny little hub solves so many laptop connectivity issues, and that's invaluable when you're on your laptop all day long. Grab this Ugreen 7-in-1 USB-C hub for just $25.89 with this limited-time deal!
Save 30% and turn your laptop's USB-C port into 7 ports todayBuy now at Amazon
Update KB5064081 brings a wealth of new features to Windows 11, including new personalized start page for Microsoft's AI-driven Recall feature. The new page lets you check on your past activity and jump back into one of those tasks. There's also a new navigation bar that allows you to switch between "Home," "Timeline," "Feedback," and "Settings" pages. The "Recent Snapshots" section lists all current snapshots while the "Top Apps" and "Top Websites" sections list all current app activity, explains Windows Latest.
This Acemagic mini PC is a tiny beast with a jaw-dropping configuration for the price. Inside you'll find it running on an Intel Core i9-11900H processor, a whopping 32GB of RAM, and a speedy 1TB SSD that's large enough to hold all your apps, pics, vids, and more. It's the perfect home office machine for work, leisure, hobbies, streaming, and more. Want to soup it up? It's user-upgradeable to 64GB memory and 4TB storage!
And it's indeed a workstation winner for productivity fiends because it can support up to three 4K@60Hz monitors via its HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort 1.4, and USB-C video ports. It also has way more ports than any laptop, including six fast USB-A, 2.5G Ethernet, and 3.5mm audio. For wireless, it comes with built-in Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2.
It's a compact yet responsive machine and you'd be hard-pressed to find a laptop this good for anywhere close to the same price. Get the Acemagic M1 mini PC for $440 while this deal's still available!
This crazy Core i9 mini PC with 32GB RAM is a steal for 45% offBuy now at
So when I had the opportunity to test a WalkingPad Z1 folding treadmill for standing desks, I leaped at the chance! And I'm really glad I did because now I know what it's like to walk for hours every day while working. It isn't easy. I'm tired, I've fallen off a few times, and I find it annoying at times. I've certainly learned a lot from the experience.
After a month of on-again-off-again treadmill-walking while I work, I have some thoughts. Here's what the past month has taught me and whether I've decided to keep it or move on to something else.
Walking is way harder than standing
This might sound obvious—and perhaps I missed the forest for the proverbial standing-desk trees here—but I was surprised how tiring it was to walk than to stand. I like to think I'm pretty active at my standing desk
So when I had the opportunity to test a WalkingPad Z1 folding treadmill for standing desks, I leaped at the chance! And I'm really glad I did because now I know what it's like to walk for hours every day while working. It isn't easy. I'm tired, I've fallen off a few times, and I find it annoying at times. I've certainly learned a lot from the experience.
After a month of on-again-off-again treadmill-walking while I work, I have some thoughts. Here's what the past month has taught me and whether I've decided to keep it or move on to something else.
Walking is way harder than standing
This might sound obvious—and perhaps I missed the forest for the proverbial standing-desk trees here—but I was surprised how tiring it was to walk than to stand. I like to think I'm pretty active at my standing desk
The issue arises because what content creators see in their production studios can differ greatly from what we see in our living rooms. Video pros work with calibrated reference monitors in perfectly lit conditions; we, on the other hand, watch on consumer TVs with many different makes, models, and display technologies and in myriad lighting environments, from a pitch-black room to a brightly lit kitchen.
That means content creators must take a one-size-fits-all approach when "grading" the brightest and darkest images of the picture for Dolby Vision, and in some cases, that means some viewers will be left straining to see what's happening on their screens.
Now comes the next generation of Dolby Vision—the aptly named Dolby Vision 2—and with the help of AI, it aims to deliver more of a two-way approach (or "bi-directional" tone mapping, as Dolby is calling it) that can tailor Dolby Vision HDR images for your particular TV, and even according to the light in the room where you're watching.
Debuting this week at IFA in Berlin, Dolby Vision 2 arrives with an important caveat: It will only work on forthcoming TVs with built-in Dolby Vision 2 circuitry. Hisense is the first TV manufacturer to get on board with the upgraded HDR standard, with its first Dolby Vision 2-enabled TVs to land "at a later date," the brand says.
On the content side, CANAL is the first studio to pledge its support for Dolby Vision 2 on i
If you don't already have Windows 11, or just need a new license, you can grab it for 50 percent off on the PCWorld Software store right now.
For all systems that are already running on 24H2, the upgrade requires minimal effort. A small enablement package activates the new functions without the need for a complete reinstallation or in-place upgrade.
This procedure not only saves time, but also significantly reduces downtime, both in private households and in corporate environments. For Home and Pro editions, support is extended with the release by a further 24 months until 2027, for Enterprise and Education versions it's even extended by 36 months until 2028. Devices with older versions such as 23H2 or Windows 10, on the other hand, must go through the classic, more extensive upgrade process.
PC enthusiasts and power users, here's a deal built for you: Windows 11 Pro plus a professional-grade tutorial, bundled for a clean $19.97, down from the usual $237 value.
Why this matters: Windows?11?Pro isn't just a fresh look—it's packed with upgrades that optimize performance and security. Features like Snap Layouts, DirectX?12 Ultimate, BitLocker, Hyper-V, and Microsoft's integrated AI assistant Copilot offer real gains in control and productivity. How? You can get answers to questions, generate content, and even study with Copilot.
The included Essential Windows 11 Pro course (10 hours, 150 lessons) walks you through core features like
If you've ever needed to write a cold email, draft a quick marketing plan, or whip up a polished pitch deck in minutes—this one's for you. 1min.AI is a streamlined AI productivity tool designed to crank out business content fast, and right now you can grab lifetime access to the tool's Advanced Business Plan for only $79.97 (reg. $540).
This isn't your average ChatGPT wrapper. 1min.AI is powered by platforms like Claude, Gemini, and more, and it specializes in business use cases, with 100 AI-powered tools built in—from email templates and ad copy to HR docs, financial reports, and startup pitch builders. Whether you're launching your side hustle or working in a fast-paced startup environment, it's designed to cut hours of busywork i
The problem when looking for a good free VPN, though, is that there are a ton available on the Google Play Store and many aren't trustworthy. So how do you determine which ones are worth your time? I've personally tested heaps of VPNs, both for PCs and Android devices, and have curated a list of the best free options you can feel confident in using. Check out my top picks below.
You can also check out my guide to the best VPNs covering multiple devices.
The details of USB-C can be confusing, however, and pricing for USB-C monitors is often higher than that for monitors that lack the interface. See our buyers' guide below our recommendations to better understand the nuances.
Dell Ultrasharp U3225QE - Best USB-C monitor overall
This website analyzes your rough, uninspired drawings and makes suggestions for images based off of them. It takes a lot of the guesswork out of trying to sketch out something you're unfamiliar with. Plus, it's just plain fun to use — you can even color the drawings and when you're finished save and download them as .png files.
What to do:
Go to http://autodraw.com.
Start drawing what you want to draw to the best of your ability.
The website's suggestions will appear along the top of the draw space.
Choose the image that best matches what you want to draw and make any edits to the suggested drawing.
When you've finished click on the three horizontal stripes top left and select Download.
But portable SSDs aren't just for backups. Even if you prefer using online backup software and don't plan on backing up anything to a physical drive, there are lots of great reasons to have a compact, portable SSD on hand. (Our go-to recommendation? The Crucial X9 Pro, which tops our roundup of the best external drives). Here are some especially useful uses to consider.
Bring media files to your media center
A portable SSD is an excellent and near-foolproof way to get media files (e.g., videos, music, and photos) from your PC to your home media center. It's way faster than via wireless transfer!
For example, if you have a Roku streaming box or Roku TV with a USB port, you can connect a portable SSD to that USB port and use the Roku Media Player app to watch videos, play music, and view photos straight off the drive. That's just one option for one streaming platform — there's a good chance your own streaming device or gaming console of choice has a USB port, and if it does, it likely has its own media player app.
I've been a tech journalist for 20 years. Over those years, I've written countless how-to guides and advice columns, and I've made endless recommendations for how you should go about looking after, maintaining, and enhancing your PC.
But I'm embarrassed to say, I don't follow all of the tips and tricks I share, and I sometimes fall into the very traps I warn others against. It's time to come clean and admit my mistakes. Here are some of my worst tech sins that you should avoid doing yourself. Don't be like me!
I have 38,000 unread emails
Don't buy from no-name brands
This tip is true for most electronics, but it's especially important for USB-C cables. You might think a USB-C cable is just a bit of wiring in a sheath, but actually there are several safety features — at least, there should be — that ensure safe power delivery.
Of course, just because safety regulations exists doesn't mean that all manufacturers follow them, especially manufacturer
Let's cut to the chase: Microsoft just bumped the price of its 365 subscription—for the first time in 12 years—to $9.99/month or $99.99/year. That's a full 45% increase for everyday users. Meanwhile, you can bypass all that recurring stress with a lifetime license to Microsoft Office 2021—just $39.97 (regularly $219.99).
What you get when you hit "buy"
A one-time purchase = no more subscription bills
Full access to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, OneNote, Publisher, and Access
Works offl
While Gmail is fundamentally built for the sending and receiving of email, its various features can make that entire process work better for you. If you aren't using the following Gmail features, consider starting today. You might be surprised by how helpful they can be.
Smart compose
Smart Compose is designed to help you write emails faster by writing your emails for you, saving you the hassle of wasting time or brainpower. The feature uses machine learning to predict what you intend to type, with Gmail offering real-time suggestions as you compose an email.
Learning to code takes more than just lessons—you need the right tools to put that knowledge into practice as you follow along. With this $49.97 coding bundle, you'll get 15 courses covering today's top programming languages and Visual Studio Pro 2022 at no extra charge, giving you a pro-grade environment to sharpen your skills.
The coding curriculum covers Python, C , JavaScript, Java, SQL, Ruby on Rails, Flutter/Dart, Salesforce, IoT automation, and even computer vision with OpenCV. With hundreds of hours of step-by-step video lessons, you'll go from beginner concepts to building real-world projects.
Once you've got the fundamentals down, fire up Visual Studio Pro 2022, Microsoft's fully featured 64-bit IDE, for a professional-grade coding experience. Whether you're building cross-platform apps with .NET MAUI, designing web UIs in Blazor, debugging C in
Actually, chances are that you have most of the bits associated with Windows 11 H2 on your PC right now. Microsoft is servicing both Windows 11 24H2 as well as Windows 11 25H2 on the same servicing branch, and the 25H2 update will be pushed to your PC as an "enablement package."
In simpler terms, this means that Microsoft has simply sent most of the code in Windows 11 25H2 to your PC already, and the only thing left to do will be to turn the new, updated features on. The enablement package will basically be a standard patch, delivered to your PC by Windows Update. How big the patch is and how long it will take to install is basically determined by your habits: if you've previously kept your PC up to date, there won't be that much code to install and the process should go far more quickly than the sizeable Windows 11 24H2 update that took place late last year.
In June, Microsoft pitched the Windows 11 25H2 update as "as easy as a restart." It will be rolled out in the "second half of 2025," Microsoft said then.
Naturally, there will be bugs — though with a smaller update hopefully they will be minimal. You can always postpone the Windows 11 25H2 Update by using the "Pause updates" control in Windows Update. That will buy you seven weeks until Microsoft forces you to apply new patches, including Windows 11 25H2. Usually, there's a small cadre
PCWorld contributor Will Smith got to speak with Andrej Zdravkovic, Senior Vice President of GPU Technologies at AMD. While ROCm is mostly relevant for large-scale "big iron" enterprise applications right now, the latest changes are making it more relevant for regular Windows users.
How so? Well, the new HIP (Heterogeneous Interface for Portability) SDK. It's a bit of special sauce that lets programs designed to use CUDA and similar systems tap into ROCm's power to leverage Radeon graphics cards. And it has the potential to be a huge game-changer. Basically, any local program that needs extra power—from AI applications to rendering to file processing and beyond—can benefit from this, with only small tweaks needed to get existing code up and runnin
It should run CAD and simulations easily, but still be light enough to toss in your bag between classes. A keyboard that doesn't make your fingers scream, a screen that won't kill your eyes, and solid battery life are all must-haves. Seriously, freaking out because you can't find an outlet when your laptop's about to die? No thanks.
These picks have been tested to cover those bases, with something for every budget.
The answer, it turns out, is today. On the official Tablo blog, Tablo manufacturer Nuvyyo announced that it's rolling out a long-promised feature that allows users of the fourth-generation Table DVRs to watch live TV with an antenna and stream previously recorded over-the-air TV shows even when their internet goes out or Tablo servers go down.
Tablo's new offline mode comes a few weeks after Tablo DVR users endured a pair of server outages that briefly locked them out of live and recorded over-the-air TV streams and temporarily blanked out their electronic programming guides.
There have been plenty of other Tablo outages in the past too, enough so that Tablo owners have long been asking for an offline mode that would allow them to access live TV via an antenna, as well as their recorded OTA shows when Tablo's servers are inaccessible.
The new offline mode (first reported by Cord Cutters News) has some quirks, including the fact that it can't be ac
The Alienware AW3423DWF is a 34-inch ultrawide curved design, using the semi-standard 3440×1440 resolution. That means this is basically a 27-inch monitor stretched out to the cinematic 21:9 aspect ratio. On top of that gorgeous OLED panel with its near-perfect contrast, it's packing a 165Hz refresh rate. While that isn't as fast as some more recent OLED gaming monitors, it should be enough to make your desktop PC sweat with newer 3D games at full resolution. It also supports a standard VESA mount, so you can easily add a monitor arm. You can check out PCWorld's full review for more details.
This monitor comes with plenty of ports for multiple consoles or desktops—one HDMI, double DisplayPort, five USB-A, but no USB-C support so it's not a great choice if your only gaming device is a laptop. But even a couple of years after it debuted, it's one of the best deals around. You simply won't find a new ultrawide OLED at this size for this price.
Amazon says this is a "limited time deal," so it might not stick around for long, especially since it's been replaced with a newer Alienware model. I'd get an order in quickly if it's what you want. If not, be sure to check out PCWorld's selections for
Frankly, the original asking price of almost $1,000 was too much for a laptop without a touchscreen and only 512GB of storage, as noted in our PCWorld review. That review was for a slightly different config with more RAM, storage, and a different CPU, but the battery life figure—an impressive 20 hours—should be about the same here. And with a 14-inch OLED screen at 1920×1200 resolution and a fairly light 2.87-pound build, it's a great choice for students or anyone who needs some decent power on the go, especially at this incredible sale price.
Connectivity is a high point, with double USB-C, double USB-A, full-sized HDMI, and a microSD card slot. The Intel Lunar Lake processor won't beat bigger laptops with discrete graphics cards, but for light gaming (up to about Minecraft), it should be more than enough. It's also got a solid metallic keyboard and an accurate, roomy trackpad. If you aren't the kind of user who misses a touchscreen, you'll be right at home here.
Best Buy has this marked as a clearance sale and I'm not seeing this model in stock in many other places, so you might want to hop on it quickly if you're interested. If it i
This no longer works in the new Outlook app, and it appears that Microsoft has no plans to change this. However, there's still a way to view the HTML code of an email with a little trick.
Here's how it works: Open the email, then now click on the three-dot menu at the top-right corner to access the email's context menu. (Make sure you aren't accidentally accessing the three-dot menu in the toolbar instead!) In the menu, go to Save as Save as EML and select a destination folder for the resulting file.
Next, launch File Explorer and navigate to the destination folder, then right-click on the EML file. Click on Open with Choose another app and choose a text editor from the app list (e.g., Notepad). In the EML file, scroll down to the line that reads Content-Type: text/html, and after that is where you'll find the HTML code for that email.
Further reading: Useful tips for the new Outlook app
CPU watchdog Momomo on social media spotted the changes made to several Ryzen CPU specifications online. On some of these pages, the rollover text (which isn't easy to see on some browsers) says that the SR4 cooler is reaching end-of-life status. That's the "Wraith Prism" cooler that comes from AMD in the box, which is well-liked for decent cooling capacity and a bit of RGB bling, more than most pack-in CPU coolers.
According to the text, the Wraith Prism/SR4 and Wraith Spire/SR2a won't be made after August 1st, 2025 and thus won't be included in the box. VideoCardz.com reports that some Ryzen 5000, 7000, and 8000G will get the Wraith Stealth/SR1 cooler, a super-basic model with a smallish 92mm fan and no LEDs. That's the one that's come with most mid-range Ryzen processors going back to the 5000 series
While simply viewing or commenting on a PDF can be accomplished with free software, there are times when you might want to engage with a PDF document more extensively. Say you want to make edits, reorganize a file, or collaborate with others to make changes. That's where a full-featured PDF editor comes in.
The best PDF editors allow you to edit, create, alter, and convert PDF files just like you would with any other text document. Adobe Acrobat is the most well-known option for most people. Its reputation is certainly deserved given its excellent feature set and overall utility. But it's also quite expensive.
Thankfully, there's a whole range of respectable and even great third-party PDF editors that provide less expensive alternatives to Adobe's premier product.
PROMOTION
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Amazon Smart Plugs are really simple. All you have to do is plug it into an outlet, then plug any device into the smart plug itself. Then, using an app on your phone, you can remotely control the smart plug and toggle it on and off from anywhere. Using Alexa routines, you can even schedule and automate via rules. Boom! Any dumb device can be "smart" now.
For example, you can smart plug your coffee machine and have it automatically start in the morning, or you can smart plug your main living room lamp so you can turn it off without getting out of bed. Another idea is to connect your Christmas lights to a smart plug and have them turn on and off at certain times of day without any intervention.
These Amazon Smart Plugs are nice because they're compact and don't block the other outlet when plugged in, and you can even plug two of them in on the same outlet plate if you want to. Get one for just $20, or grab several and place them around your home!
Start your foray into smart home control with this $20 plugBuy now at Amazon
This Baseus charger block hits 100W of charging, which means it's fast enough to fully charge a phone in about 45 minutes or a laptop like the MacBook Pro M4 in under 2 hours. Yup, this power adapter works just as well with phones as it does laptops—or any other device that charges via USB cable (as long as you have USB cables rated for 100W).
What's great about this charger block is that it has three ports: two USB-C and one USB-A. All three ports can be used at once, allowing you to fast-charge up to three devices simultaneously. Note, however, that only the USB-C ports are capable of hitting 100W, and only when used solo. The USB-A maxes out at 22.5W when solo. Otherwise, when multiple ports are used, the charging power is split between them.
One other thing I like about this power adapter is that it has foldable prongs, so it's perfect for travel. Stash it away in any bag and don't worry about it getting damaged or causing damage to anything else.
The Baseus 100W 3-port USB-C power adapter is only $29.98 with this awesome 40% discount, so grab it fast while you still can!
Save 40% on this super-fast Baseus 3-port USB-C charger block
According to Roblox CEO David Baszucki, the game-slash-service surpassed 45 million players on August 23rd. As PC Gamer notes, that's more simultaneously active in-game players than Steam—the de facto standard platform for PC gaming—by about 5 million. And I don't just mean for a single Steam game. I'm talking about Steam's record for active players across every game, everywhere on the planet at any given time. For further comparison, Fortnite‘s record is 14.3 million concurrent players while Minecraft averages almost 32 million daily players with a concurrent peak of 4.2 million.
Granted, this isn't a perfect apples-to-apples comparison. Roblox isn't so much a singular game as it is an entire platform, where users can develop their own games with relatively friendly tools and publish them for other Roblox users to try out. Roblox is also cross-platform, available on PC
Adobe bundles this file with its Creative Cloud applications for the purpose of transmitting data about you back to the company. If the executable is still communicating with Adobe servers when you shut down your PC, it'll stall the process to finish its task. So, to nip this issue in the bud, you have to tell Adobe to stop spying on you.
The fix
Open a web browser. Head to adobe.com, then log into your account.
Click on your avatar icon at the upper right.
Choose Manage account.
At the top of the screen, choose Account and Security, then Data and privacy settings.
Uncheck the boxes for sharing.
For one, you can only designate people who have Proton accounts of their own, as they'll need to use their Proton account to access yours. With
Among other things, it's now possible to find messages with attached files via a simple search, which should be useful for users who don't want to waste precious time scrolling back through long threads.
This versatile Anker power bank comes with not just one but two built-in USB-C cables, and one of them doubles as a carrying strap while the other is fully retractable. It also has an additional USB-C and USB-A, allowing you to charge up to four devices at once.
The 25,000mAh capacity is massive too, enough to charge your phone about five times over (or a laptop one full time). Since it can hit 100W single-port fast-charging, your gadgets will be juiced back to 100% in no time. When charging multiple devices, only one USB-C keeps the 100W speed while the others get limited to 30W max.
Small, fast, convenient, and versatile—it doesn't get better than this. You'll never need another power bank, so get this one for $94.49 while you can! This limited-time deal on Amazon won't last forever.
Save 30% on this super-fast 25K Anker power bank with built-in cablesBuy now at Amazon
The GMKtec NucBox M7 is a mini PC, but don't let that fool you. Inside you'll find a powerful AMD Ryzen 7 Pro 6850H processor that's based on the Zen 3 architecture (higher performance than its 6850U counterpart) plus a chunky 32GB of fast DDR5 RAM. That's more than enough to power Windows 11 without choking, plus whatever apps and browser tabs you have open. And with the 2TB SSD, you'll have all the storage space you need for your apps, games, and files.
While it lacks a dedicated graphics card, the NucBox M7 is nice because it has decent AMD Radeon 680M integrated graphics. That'll handle most games at passable frame rates on light settings, but more importantly it can handle up to four 4K monitors at once—a multitasker's dream! If you want to push it further, this mini PC even has an OCuLink port that you can use to connect an external graphics card for even more power.
Those quad 4K displays can connect via HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 2.0, and double USB-C video. Other connections include four USB-A, the aforementioned OCuLink, double LAN, and 3.5mm audio. The cherry on top is that it comes with a VESA mount, so you can attach it to the back of any VESA-compatible monitor and keep it out of sight.
For all that you get, this GMKtec NucBox M7 mini PC is a steal for $416.49, so get it this che
Google touted Gemini AI assistant throughout the entire keynote of its annual I/O developers conference, demonstrating how it would come to permeate every aspect of the search giant's products—everything from phones and AR glasses to watches and TV.
But Google Home wasn't mentioned at all, while Google's Nest smart speakers, displays, and cameras were all but ignored. (Google did have a few scattered smart home announcements later in the conference).
Just as troubling, Google had been discontinuing other Nest products and even withdrawing from some smart home categories from a manufacturing standpoint, all while many Google Home owners were complaining that Google Assistant was faltering at even the most basic smart home duties.
Indeed, things got so bad that Anish Kattukaran, the director of product management for Google Home and Nest, felt compelled to speak up on social media, apologizing for Google Assistant's spotty performance while promising that his team is "actively working on major improvements."
Now, roughly a month after Kattukaram's comments on X, those "major improvements" are coming into focus.
First came more details about the "new experience powered by Gemini" that Google had earlier promised for its smart speakers
That's why I now enlist the help of an app to find out what's going on. There are a bunch of apps you can use, but one that I've come across recently is called WifiDiagnosticsView. This free app monitors your Wi-Fi network's key parameters — from the time that changes occur on your network, to when connection failure is detected.
When problems do occur, you get error codes that you can then look up online. You can also see information like when there's a change in signal quality, whether you have security enabled on your Wi-Fi network, and your SSID. Here's how to get the app up and get it running in the background on your PC.
What to do:
Download and install WifiDiagnosticsView.
From the top menu select Options then select Put Icon on Tray.
Then, next time you'd like to check your Wi-Fi for any connection issues, you can simply choose the app's icon from the system-tray to open it.
But there are many, many, many awesome free apps out there that can seriously improve your PC and your workflows, unlock new tools and features, and just make your PC experience better overall.
If you want to wring a little more out of your PC, here are some of the best hidden gem apps that are super useful and available for free.
Ferdium for centralizing all the web apps and services you use in one place
But there are many, many, many awesome free apps out there that can seriously improve your PC and your workflows, unlock new tools and features, and just make your PC experience better overall.
If you want to wring a little more out of your PC, here are some of the best hidden gem apps that are super useful and available for free.
Ferdium for centralizing all the web apps and services you use in one place
While you're taking a break from work this Labor Day, also stop paying Microsoft 365 fees. Grab a Microsoft Office lifetime license for just $24.97—the lowest price we've seen yet (MSRP $229). No subscription strings, no surprise fee hikes, just the essential Office apps you actually use for a one-time price.
What's included
Word
Excel
PowerPoint
Outlook
OneNote
Publisher
Access
These aren't stripped-down versions, either. Office 2019 remains fully capable of handling reports, spreadsheets, presentations, email, and more, without requiring constant updates or additional charges.
If you're tired of Microsoft's subscription model and worried they might hike the price of 365 again, this is your chance to future-proof your setup. Whether you're working from home, freelancing, or managing your fami
Subscriptions have taken over everything, from streaming to software—PDF editors included. If you've been paying Adobe Acrobat's fees for as long as you can remember, here's a reality check: you don't have to.
A lifetime PDF editor tool is a far more cost-effective way to edit, sign, convert, and manage PDFs than any subscription-based software. One we're sharing today is SwifDoo PDF Pro—only $29.97 for a lifetime Windows license (reg. $129).
It's not anything fancy… it's software that lets you
That's where we come in. We break things down without all the technical word vomit so you can quickly find the best machine for your lifestyle. From featherlight models that disappear in your bag to laptops with marathon battery life, we've got you covered.
This just about hits the baseline for gaming-focused OLED monitors right now, with a 2560×1440 resolution and fast 240Hz refresh rate. That's far from the fastest on the market, but it'll make your gaming PC sweat if you try to load up a recent triple-A game with all the graphical fixins. It also offers a little more than just the basics, with USB-C support and a built-in KVM switch, though with just 15 watts of power delivery it's not an ideal companion for a single-cable laptop setup.
However, it is a pretty good pick if you like to play both PC and console games at your desk, thanks to double DisplayPort and HDMI inputs. You also get a standard VESA mount included, in case you want to add on a monitor arm. Overall, at this price, it's a solid get.
Newegg hasn't put a time limit on this deal, but since it's currently the cheapest OLED around, I wouldn't be surprised if it went pretty quickly—so grab it quick if you're interested. If you're looking for something else, check out PCWorld's picks for the best monitors.
Vivaldi, the small Norwegian-made browser which I use as an alternative to more mainstream browsers like Microsoft Edge and Google Chrome, said it plans to "choose humans over hype," in the words of Jon von Tetzchner, the company's chief executive.
"We're taking a stand, choosing humans over hype, and we will not turn the joy of exploring into inactive spectatorship," von Tetzchner said in a statement, shared by the company. "Without exploration, the web becomes far less interesting. Our curiosity loses oxygen and the diversity of the web dies."
To be fair, Vivaldi reportedly employs just 150 people. Anthropic, whose AI browser, is one of a number of browsers designed around agentic AI, reportedly employs over well over 1,000 — meaning that it's possible that VIvaldi's statement simply means that it lacks the capability to keep up, anyway. On the other hand, Opera (which employs about 600 people and was co-founded by von Tetzchner) has managed to publish several browsers as well as Opera Neon, an agentic browser the company debuted in May.
Agentic browsers not only provide access to an AI chatbot, but also use smaller "independent" small-language model (SLM) tools to perform tasks independently, such as researching hotel options for a planned trip. Vivaldi said it will not be using an LLM to add a chatbot, a summarization solution or a suggestion engine "until more rigorous ways to do those things are available."
"If AI contributes to that goal without stealing intellectual prop
Samsung said Thursday that it has begun rolling out Copilot to its 2025 lineup of AI-powered TVs, meaning your living room won't be the escape from AI you might have been hoping for. Samsung's smart monitors, including the Samsung Smart Monitor M9 (review) — which likewise runs on Samsung's Tizen operating system — will be getting Copilot, too.
Samsung originally announced a partnership with Microsoft at CES in January, saying that Copilot will be used for a "wide range of Copilot services, including personalized content recommendations."
"Copilot is available on 2025 TV models including, Micro RGB, Neo QLED, OLED, The Frame Pro, The Frame, as well as the M7, M8, and M9 Smart Monitors," Samsung said. "Availability will expand to additional regions and models over time and may vary by market."
The only catch is the price. Most monitor arms worth buying will cost close to $200, and heavy-duty arms capable of holding two large displays can be priced even higher. The good news is that a good-quality monitor arm is likely to last you for a very long time. That's why it's important to make the right choice when you purchase a monitor arm.
To help you with that, we've tested several popular monitor arms, for both single- and dual-monitor setups. Below you'll find our curated list of recommendations, with detailed explanations of what features and qualities make them stand out. We even have some good budget recommendations. Below our picks, we point out some arms that we aren't so keen on — to provide a point of comparison.
According to a blog post from ESET Research interviewing researcher Anton Cherepanov, they've detected a piece of malware "created by the OpenAI gpt-oss:20b model." PromptLock, a fairly standard ransomware package, includes embedded prompts sent to the locally stored LLM. Because of the nature of LLM outputs (which create unique, non-repeated results with each prompt), it can evade detection from standardized antivirus setups, which are designed to search for specific flags.
ESET elaborates in a Mastodon post, spotted by Tom's Hardware. PromptLock uses Lua scripts to inspect files on a local system, encrypt them, and send sensitive data to a remote computer. It appears to be searching for Bitcoin information specifically, and thanks to the wide-open nature of the OpenAI model and the Ollama API, it can work on Windows, Mac, and Linux. Because gpt-oss:20b is a lightweight, open-source AI model that can run on local PC hardware, it doesn't need
This is the newest Kindle Kids, featuring a 6-inch glare-free E-Ink display that replicates what it's like to read text on physical paper. It comes with 16GB of storage—plenty of space to store thousands of e-books—and it lasts up to 6 weeks on a full charge. The Kindle Kids has no ads (nice), and you can configure parental controls to keep your children safe from explicit content on the Kindle Store. And since there are no apps, videos, or games, the Kindle Kids really does encourage reading.
This Kindle Kids comes with a kid-friendly cover, a robust build, and a two-year worry-free guarantee where Amazon will replace the device for free if your kid somehow manages to break it. Your purchase also comes with six months of an Amazon Kids subscription, which provides unlimited access to age-appropriate digital books and graphic novels. Afterwards, it's only $5.99/month to continue.
Reading is a fantastic way to develop a child's brain, and a Kindle Kids device is one way to encourage more of that. As your kids head back to school, get a Kindle Kids for only $99.99 while you still can!
Save 23% on a Kindle Kids and get your kids reading a lot more
The Samsung Odyssey G55C offers plenty of screen real estate with its 32-inch panel at 2560×1440, allowing you to enjoy your games or movies while also providing enough space for all your windows and apps. Our only complaint here is that we wish it were an IPS panel instead of VA, but that's partly why the price is so affordable on this thing.
That VA panel also makes it possible for this monitor to hit its speedy 165Hz refresh rate, providing smooth visuals for all the frames your PC is capable of cranking out. Between that and the 1ms response time and HDR10 images and AMD FreeSync compatibility, it's about as good as it gets at this price. Connectivity is slightly lacking, only offering HDMI and DisplayPort, but you can't expect too much here.
This is a great step up for any budget gaming PC battlestation that won't cost an arm and a leg. Get the 32-inch Samsung Odyssey G55C for $219.99 before this limited-time deal runs out!
Save 33% on this budget-friendly 32-inch 1440p 165Hz gaming monitorBuy now at Amazon
This version of the Falcata is an interesting beast. As the full-length title implies, it's a 75% layout, which basically means laptop-style with a full function row and arrow keys but no numpad. The keyboard's signature feature is its ability to split in half, separating into two sections tethered by a USB cable. Many typists prefer this option for ergonomic layouts, and gamers like it for similar reasons. Notably, this keyboard is wireless—you still need that cable for the left side of the board, even when it's positioned in its conventional layout, but Bluetooth, 2.4GHz dongle-based wireless, and standard USB are all options.
The rest of the keyboard is a laundry list of in-demand features. PBT keycaps, interior layers of foam, and, of course, RGB lighting are
This version of the Falcata is an interesting beast. As the full-length title implies, it's a 75% layout, which basically means laptop-style with a full function row and arrow keys but no numpad. The keyboard's signature feature is its ability to split in half, separating into two sections tethered by a USB cable. Many typists prefer this option for ergonomic layouts, and gamers like it for similar reasons. Notably, this keyboard is wireless—you still need that cable for the left side of the board, even when it's positioned in its conventional layout, but Bluetooth, 2.4GHz dongle-based wireless, and standard USB are all options.
The rest of the keyboard is a laundry list of in-demand features. PBT keycaps, interior layers of foam, and, of course, RGB lighting are
But you have to enable the feature per-document to take advantage of it. At least, that was the case until now. According to a recent Microsoft 365 Insider blog post, this auto-save option will soon be enabled by default for all new Word documents.
From multi-tools that fit on your keychain to powerful portable chargers, we've rounded up a list of fantastic gadgets that will enhance your daily life without spending more than $50 on anything.
Disney is suing Sling TV over its Day Passes, which provide access to Sling's Orange bundle (including Disney-owned ESPN and more than 30 other channels) for $5, with weekend and weeklong passes also available for $10 and $15 respectively. By comparison, a full month of Sling Orange costs $46, and ESPN's new streaming service costs $30 per month on its own.
With Day Passes, Sling is solving a real problem with sports streaming: Even if you're only interested in a single game, you must pay for an entire month of service. Programmers like Disney should be embracing this approach to reach audiences who otherwise might not pay anything, but they're too short-sighted to realize it.
Why Sling is right
While we all want more flexible options, new standalone offerings from the likes of Fox and Disney's ESPN are insufficient. Both companies have intentionally set prices high—$30 per month for ESPN, $20 per month for Fox One—hoping to prolong the pay TV model that's collapsing under them. The appeal will likely be limited.
We've already seen this play out with regional sports networks, most of which now offer their own standalone services in the $20 to $30 per month range. Despite offering more local team games than ESPN and Fox combined, these offerings aren't gaining much traction because they're just too expensive.
In short, Microsoft is adding support for a new LE Audio compression algorithm that supports even higher "super wideband" audio fidelity even while using voice. In other words, Windows 11 will soon be able to play audio in high-quality stereo while using the microphone.
Previously, Bluetooth headsets automatically switched to an 8 kHz sampling rate when the microphone was used, and could only play "super wideband" audio in mono. The sampling rate now goes up to 32 kHz and supports "super wideband" in stereo.
The update also makes it possible to use spatial audio in Microsoft Teams even with wireless Bluetooth headsets. All chat participants' voices should now come from the direction their video stream is on your screen.
To take advantage of this, you'll need an audio device that supports Bluetooth LE Audio as well as a Windows 11 PC running the latest 24H2 version (or later) that also supports LE Audio.
This vulnerability was discovered by security researchers from The Hacker News. The following password managers have affected browser extensions that are based on DOM (Document Object Model):
1Password
Bitwarden
Dashlane
Enpass
iCloud Passwords
Keeper
LastPass
LogMeOnce
NordPass
ProtonPass
RoboForm
This list includes some of the best-known and most widely used password managers, affecting an estimated 40 million users worldwide. Extreme caution is therefore advised. The security flaw hasn't yet been patched by most of these providers, so data theft can still occur as of this writing.
How hackers get your passwords
The vulnerability in question is known as clickjacking. Attackers can lure unsuspecting users to fake websites that imitate real websites and look deceptively real, except the fakes ones contain invisible elements.
What makes this laptop special? Just look at the specs. This HP Omen Transcend 14 runs on a cutting-edge Intel Core Ultra 9 285H processor and a chunky 32GB of fast LPDDR5X RAM, delivering high performance for anything and everything you wish to use the device for—not just gaming but also browsing, streaming, hobbies, and work. It also has a 1TB SSD to hold all your apps, games, and files.
But the kicker here is the dedicated Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 graphics card that unlocks tip-top visuals thanks to the latest tech, including DLSS 4, ray tracing, and frame generation. Crank those settings up and watch it fly! And rest assured that it'll look great on this laptop's gorgeous 14-inch OLED display with its 2880×1800 resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, and 500 nits of brightness. It doesn't get better than that.
When we reviewed a lesser config of the HP Omen Transcend 14, we still appreciated its performance enough to give it a 4.5-star rating and our Editors' Choice award. This one's even better—and though it's normally pretty pricey, it's now within reach with this $400 discount.
This is a portable SSD that we reviewed a while back and absolutely loved, and we were impressed enough to give it a 4.5-star rating. Our testing revealed impressive data transfer speeds, with up to 1,050 MB/s read and 850 MB/s write speeds. Plus, the golden sheen and tiny size make for a unique but convenient drive. It deserves a spot among our top portable SSD picks, if you ask me.
We couldn't help but appreciate its compact design with rounded edges. And whether you're transferring files, streaming video, or gaming, it handles all those tasks with ease. Plus, it's built to last, with protection against data loss from drops up to 6 feet. It also comes with two cables—one USB-C and one USB-A—so it's immediately compatible with modern and older devices. From desktop PCs and laptops to smartphones, tablets, and gaming consoles, this drive has you covered.
Go ahead and snag this 1TB SK Hynix Beetle X31 portable SSD for $63 while this limited-time 26% discount is still around!
Save 26% on the fast-and-compact SK Hynix Beetle X31 (1TB) portable SSD
Important and confidential documents, such as tax documents, are often stored on laptops. In some cases, even sensitive company papers may even be stored there. And a smartphone stores doesn't just hold emails, but also contact lists and WhatsApp chats.
Although access to a laptop is password-protected, the files are freely accessible. If the device is booted via a live system, they can be easily read and copied.
USB drives usually only need to be connected to a computer to reveal their contents. With smartphones, on the other hand, the file system is always securely encrypted.
However, if the device has just been used, the screen lock may not yet be reactivated and the finder can read the stored data and send it by email or chat program.
The loss of a device gets especially tricky when the device is deliberately stolen. This usually happens because the thief is after confidential company documents or credit card data. This is why important documents should always be encrypted.
Encryption options
When encrypting the SSD of a laptop or an external hard drive, you have the choice between two methods:
Full Disk Encryption (FDE)
File Level Encryption (FLE)
With Full Disk Encryption, the software encrypts the entire data carrier, including the operating system. The scope of delivery of Windows Pro and Education also includes FDE encryption
I've been especially vocal during the past week, when its price on Steam dropped to its all-time low of just $7 for the second time ever. Normally, it's $20 and already worth the several hours of entertainment it provides.
Why is being a jerk to everyone in the most serene, chill, and nonviolent hamlet so delightful? I'm too cheap to pay for the therapy to unpack that. I'd much rather sing the game's praises.
Developer House House calls its creation a "slapstick-stealth-sandbox" game, which is decently accurate (and pretty funny). I'd call it humor masquerading as a low-key puzzle game. With the ability to terrorize everyone with your honking.
Hey, Microsoft… can you please stop? I don't need an agentic AI operating system. Instead of working towards a future no one wants, how about you start delivering the operating system we do want?
Here's the thing. Even AI-loving power users don't need Windows reimagined as an AI canvas, and they definitely don't need a low-quality local image generator built into the Photos app. They're accessing cloud-based AI tools or installing heavy local AI models and running them on high-end GPUs. Here's what AI enthusiasts need from Windows: an OS that works—yes, with a keyboard and mouse.
"Voice first" is the new "touch first"
With Windows 8, Microsoft aimed to make Windows a "touch-first" operating system, chasing the success of Apple's iPad. It didn't work, though, and it only served to alienate users and cause massive problems.
It feels like Microsoft is repeating that same mistake again, except
Keeping your files safe shouldn't take a monthly subscription. If you're sick of paying rent for your files, then switch from subscriptions like Dropbox to a cloud storage that lasts for life. Koofr Cloud Storage just dropped the price for a 1TB lifetime subscription to $129.99 (reg. $810), but this sale won't last long.
Koofr works on just about every major platform, including iOS, Android, and Windows, and you can access your files through a web browser or WebDAV. It even connects to other popular cloud services like Google Drive, Dropbox, Amazon, and OneDrive, so you can manage everything in one place. No more digging through separate accounts to find your stuff.
The platform includes a few extra tools to help you organize your files. There's duplicate detection to help clean up clutter, batch renaming to save time when handling lots of files, and customizable sharing links to make collaboration easier. Files are encrypted both in transit and at rest, and Koofr has a no-tracking policy that helps protect your privacy.
Microsoft is phasing out support for Windows 10, which means an upgrade is coming whether you're ready or not. If you're making the switch, it might be a good time to skip the standard version and go for Windows 11 Pro instead. Right now, you can get a lifetime license to Windows 11 Pro for only $12.97, down from $199.
Windows 11 Pro comes with a handful of upgrades that make everyday use smoother. The interface is cleaner and easier to navigate, and tools like Snap Layouts and virtual desktops help you keep things organized without much effort. Whether you're juggling work, streaming, or just browsing with way too many tabs open, it keeps things running efficiently.
Gamers also get a few perks. With support for DirectX 12 Ultimate, games can load faster, look better, and run more smoothly. Combine that with a generally more efficient system, and you're getting better performance overall.
Security is another big plus. BitLocker helps keep your files safe, Smart App Control blocks sketchy downloads, and biometric login options add an extra layer of protection. If you're a power user, you'll also get access to tools like Hyper-V for running virtual machines and Windows Sandbox for safely testing apps.
While my favorite monitor overall is an awesome choice for most people, I also have alternative options for budget shoppers, gamers, and those seeking the best HDR performance. After all, not everyone needs the same features from a monitor. You can find out more about how I evaluate monitors and what specs matter most below my list of recommendations.
Game Pass Core and Standard subscribers will now have access to cloud gaming, both on games that they do and don't own. Even better, Microsoft is testing giving them access to local versions of select PC titles, widening the Core and Standard tiers — which were tied to the Xbox console — and making them accessible to PC and/or handheld players, too.
All this makes sense, as Microsoft has expanded its concept of what an Xbox is to both the PC, handheld, and streaming television platforms. It's also good news for existing PC gamers who may have struggled to game on a productivity PC and now can take advantage of Microsoft's GPU-powered servers in the cloud.
Microsoft's Core subscription already gives console users access to a small library of between 25 and 30 games. Standard subscribers gain access to a vastly expanded library of several hundred games — but solely on the Xbox console, until now. Microsoft isn't saying how many games on each tier will be playable in the cloud. But the nice touch is that if you already own the game, you should be able to stream it from the Xbox cloud, giving those low-end PC players an immediate boost.
There is a small catch. For now, Microsoft is testing this capability with its Insider program, which means that you'll simply need to download the Xbox Insider Hub app for the Xbox or the PC, as well as the correspon
