We've also included some helpful answers to common questions about VPN shopping at the bottom of this article. Before you decide on a new VPN, be sure to check out our roundup of the best VPNs to help you choose the right service for your needs.
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Note: Tech deals come and go quickly, so it's possible some of these VPN discounts will have expired before this article's next update.
We've also included some helpful answers to common questions about buying a computer at the bottom of this article. If you're considering a laptop instead, be sure to check out our best laptop deals, updated daily.
Note: Tech deals come and go quickly, so it's possible some of these computer discounts will have expired before this article's next update.
Best gaming desktop computer deals
LXZ Gaming PC, Ryzen 7 8700F/RX 7650 GRE/32GB RAM/1TB SSD, $849.99 (10% off on Amazon)
Alienware Aurora, Core Ultra 7 265F/RTX 5070 Ti/16GB RAM/1TB SSD, $1,749.99 (17% off on Dell)
The job requires no special tools, apart from a screwdriver (an electric one is helpful) and perhaps a pair of pliers. If you want to be extra safe, pick up a non-contact voltage tester to ensure the wires you'll be dealing with aren't electrified. You can find a name-brand voltage tester on Amazon for less than $20. Also, if your switch is located in a dark space, a head-mounted flashlight can also be invaluable.
Got your gear ready? Here's how to get the job done safely and successfully.
Before you start
The slide simply points out that three CPUs can achieve 1,000 fps when the games Counter-Strike 2, League of Legends, Valorant, Player Unknown: Battlegrounds, Naraka: Bladepoint, and Marvel Rivals are played using the Ryzen CPUs. Not all of the CPUs listed could hit 1,000 fps on all of the games; as the slide indicates, the only games that all three chips could achieve those numbers in were League of Legends and Valorant.
I've tested numerous VPNs and run their servers through countless speed tests to determine the fastest services based on overall network averages. My picks showcase the very best with the fastest download speeds, the fastest upload speeds, and more. Read below to see PCWorld's curated list of the fastest VPNs available now.
If you're looking for even more VPN options, check out my comprehensive roundup of the best VPNs in all categories.
When pressed on the lack of availability for the most expensive consumer graphics cards on the market at their standard prices, an Nvidia spokesperson said that they're just out of stock temporarily due to high demand. They gave the statement to WCCFtech, which posted the reply on Sunday. "GeForce RTX 50 series Founders Editions continue to be in production. They are limited edition products so, from time to time, go out of stock on our website and return when back in stock."
There are all kinds of issues causing a squeeze on graphics cards at the moment, Nvidia's cards most of all. High demand from gamers (and scalpers, though that appears to be winding down), output supply problems as Nvidia also supplies GPUs to AI-hungry industrial clients, general economic turmoil. But it looks like those sought-after Founders Edition cards aren't disappearing anytime soon, even if they will remain elusive to anyone hoping to get them at the MSRP.
The event is slated for September 30, and the timing puts Amazon back on track for its usual fall preview of its latest wares. Amazon skipped its typical fall event last year in favor of a smaller Kindle-only unveiling.
The Amazon invitation shows what appears to be Alexa's telltale blue light ring, along with the famous Kindle logo, so it seems like new Echo devices and Kindle tablets are safe bets.
The upcoming event will mark the first full-on Amazon Devices fall showcase since the arrival of Alexa , the AI-supercharged version of Alexa. Alexa made its splashy debut back in February following a lengthy delay, and it's been rolling out ever so slowly over the past several months.
Amazon's big fall hardware event will also be the first to feature Panos Panay, the former Microsoft executive who took over Amazon's Alexa and Echo divisions. Panay, who succeed outgoing Amazon exec David Limp back in September 2023, hosted a scaled-down Kindle event last fall, as well as the Alexa reveal earlier this year.
Several of Amazon's most popular Echo devices are due for a refresh, including the ever-popular Echo Dot. The fifth-generation Echo Dot made its debut back in 2022, most notably with the new ability to act as an extender for Amazon's Eero mesh Wi-Fi routers.
The four-year-old Amazon Echo Show 10 with its swiveling display is also ripe for a re-do, as
So… if you're not yet using an SSD, what are you waiting for? If you already have an older SSD, you might consider upgrading it for the even headier performance offered by cutting-edge PCIe 4.0 and 5.0 designs. If your PC sports those technologies, of course.
That said, a premium drive may not deliver any more real-world performance than a bargain drive. Mainstream software, including Windows has yet to implement the numerous performance tricks, such as multiple queues, that NVMe SSDs offer.
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For starters, this power strip has six AC outlets, much like any conventional power strip. But they're arranged three on each side, making it easier to fit large plugs and adapters without covering up outlets and wasting space. On top of that, you get two USB-A and two USB-C charging ports, allowing you to charge your phone, tablet, laptop, Nintendo Switch, and everything else without clogging up the outlets. (The USB-C ports deliver up to 20W, the USB-A ports up to 12W.)
I like that this power-strip-charging-station-thing comes with a 5-foot cable with a flat plug, making it easy to plug into your wall even when it's behind furniture. The Anker strip has a built-in 8-point safety system that will protect your gear from overloads, overcurrent, overvoltage, and short circuits. In short, it's as good as what you have, but better.
This might be the easiest $20 you spend to organize your cables and chargers and free up space. Get Anker's 10-in-1 USB power strip for $19.99 before this limited-time deal expires!
Save 33% on this awesome 10-in-1 power strip with built-in USB portsBuy now at Amazon
PhantomofEarth on Twitter found it, cheekily hiding in the right-click context menu of the network icon. You can also get it in the networking sub-menu (as pictured above) as its own dedicated icon. According to Windows Central, following either link will take you to Bing's internet speed test. Which probably isn't anyone ‘s favorite, but it's just a re-skinned version of Ookla's venerable Speedtest.net, and it's plenty functional if all you need is a quick look at the connection between you and a nearby server.
Microsoft hasn't officially announced the feature as something in the 25H2 update, despite it being live in the latest Windows Insider builds, so who knows when or if it'll actually show up. That said, it's a very small change and it's handy, so I don't see any reason that it wouldn't pop up fairly soon.
According to Windows Latest, the translation happens more or less live. However, given that it's powered by the latest AI technology, you'll need to have a reasonably powerful computer for this feature—at least 12GB of RAM and at least a quad-core CPU. (Note that if you assign that much memory to Edge, other apps will slow to a crawl while translating.)
The biggest problem with this real-time audio translation feature right now is that the AI-generated audio can suddenly switch between male and female voices when the tone of voice changes.
Furthermore, translation language support is extremely limited, with only English, Spanish, and Korean currently supported. However, the plan is to add more languages in the future.
The Amicool External CD/DVD Drive is currently available on Amazon with a limited-time deal price: normally $28.99, you can grab it right now for just $18.99. That's a lovely 34 percent discount on a useful gadget that'll open up possibilities for your PC or laptop.
With over 10,000 units purchased in the last month alone and a 4.3 rating with over 9,600 reviews, it's a clear winner—especially at this price.
What this drive has to offer
Amicool's external CD/DVD drive supports USB 3.0 and therefore offers fast data transfers of up to 5 Gbps. It's also backwards compatible with USB 2.0 and 1.0 ports. It's technically USB-A, but it also comes with a USB-C adapter so you can use it with newer laptops. You don't need any additional software or power—it's fully plug and play.
All common formats are supported, from CD-R and DVD-RW to DVD-RAM. Writing to different media formats is also possible. With read speeds of up to 24x for CDs and 8x for DVDs and write speeds of up to 24x for CD-R, this drive offers solid value. The performance is sufficient for users who occasionall
But eventually I folded. I hated going back to buy yet another can every few months, racking up a bill for basically nothing… so I bit the bullet and bought this 2-in-1 cordless air duster and vacuum. (Actually, mine's not available anymore, but the one I linked is nearly the same.)
Holding the Xbox button now opens the Windows Task View—a surprisingly useful feature more people should use—making it easier to switch between apps and games. Meanwhile, a short press of the button will still open the Game Bar as it did before, while a longer press will still switch off the Xbox controller.
This new feature is currently being tested in the Windows 11 Insider build on the Dev Channel and is expected to become generally available to all Windows 11 users in the coming months once tested.
The change is believed to be related to Microsoft's push into handheld gaming PCs, with Asus' upcoming ROG Xbox Ally models getting a dedicated activity window. However, it isn't yet clear whether the same interface will come to all Windows 11 computers.
The Krayzor laptop in the Kickstarter is certainly impressive, with a secondary full-width touchscreen and similar to the Asus Zephyrus Duo design, a Core i9-12900K processor, RTX 4060 graphics card, and a full mechanical keyboard. And I mean a really mechanical keyboard, as in full-height Cherry-style switches and hot-swap sockets, supporting standard keycaps and RGB. There's also three full-sized turning knobs, all in service of a machine that can game and handle serious media production. It seems like the creators are taking another stab at the Acer Predator 21x design.
And I should say that the hardware shown off in the Kickstarter video certainly looks possible, at least in purely electronic terms. While it's possible that some video flim-flammery is in effect, all those parts should at least fit in a chunky 16-inch laptop frame, even if the battery will last about an hour while you're playing Cyberpunk. Note the extra space between the main body and the screen making room for those tall switches and keycaps, and the somewhat older specs (12th-gen Intel processor, last-gen Nvidia card).
The company recently published a "30-day reminder" that Windows 10 version 22H2 (including Enterprise and Education Editions) will reach the end of its support period on October 14th, 2025:
On October 14, 2025, Windows 10, version 22H2 (Home, Pro, Enterprise, Education, and IoT Enterprise editions) will reach end of servicing. October 14, 2025 will also mark the end of support for Windows 10 2015 LTSB and Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSB 2015. The October 2025 monthly security update will be the last update available for these versions. After this date, devices running these versions will no longer receive monthly security and preview updates containing protections from the latest security threats.
However, Microsoft also wants Windows home users to know that there's the opportunity to receive extended support for another 12 months with Microsoft's Extended Security Update (ESU) program.
All in all, if you're still actively using Windows 10, the deadline is almost here. What should you do? Here are all your options:
Not too long ago, if you wanted a proper RTX 50-series gaming laptop, you needed to shell out upwards of $2,000. Now, you can get one for half that. Not that we're complaining! But seriously, why spend a grand on an RTX 4070 laptop when you can get one with an RTX 5060 instead?
This HP Victus runs on a 13th-gen Intel Core i7-13620H processor paired with 16GB of fast DDR5 RAM and a 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD. That's a relatively speedy config that'll deftly handle Windows 11 plus any apps plus all your browser tabs plus your gaming needs. Throw in the cutting-edge Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 and you have a winner that's capable of powering the latest 3D games with Nvidia's DLSS 4 and other AI-powered features.
You'll love the gaming experience on this laptop's gorgeous 15.6-inch IPS display with its crisp 1920×1080 resolution and 144Hz refresh rate, smoothly painting those higher frame rates without any tearing. Would it be better with an OLED screen? Of course. But you have to be reasonable with your expectations at a price like this.
What are you waiting for? Get this HP Victus with RTX 5060 for only $1,050 at Best Buy before this hot sale expires! But if it isn't quite right for what yo
This flash drive may not be extra large as far as capacity goes, but it's oh-so-affordable—and 256GB is plenty of space of day-to-day stuff, even enough to transfer a bunch of videos between devices. It's also great as a container for various portable apps, allowing you to run programs on any machine just by plugging in the drive while on the go.
And it's fast, too. The Samsung Bar Plus reaches up to 400 MB/s read speeds, which is fast enough to transfer a 100GB folder in under 5 minutes. No more standing around and twiddling your thumbs while waiting for your data to copy over. It also has a rugged metal casing that protects against bumps and drops, as well as water, dust, magnets, and X-rays. Your data stays safe.
At this price, it's a better deal than most USB flash drives. Get the 256GB Samsung Bar Plus for $19.99 before this limited-time deal expires!
This fast and spacious USB flash drive is a great deal for $20Buy now at Amazon
But recently I've come to realize that an old flash drive sitting around in a drawer gathering dust is an opportunity missed. What's changed? I discovered a bunch of fun and practical uses for them. Below are some of my favorite ideas.
If you're looking to purchase USB flash drives you can also find them in our PCWorld article: Best external drives: Top picks in portable storage.
1. Create a portable gaming console
With a few simple steps you can turn a USB flash drive into a portable retro gaming console that you can carry around with you in your pocket and plug into any PC that you're in front of. In our guide we paired our USB console with the 8BitDo Pro controller and a wireless mini keyboard and all up the project cost us under $100.
Right now, you can get the Beelink SER5 Max mini PC for its all-time low price of $318.99 on Amazon, which is 26 percent off its original $429 and one of the best budget machines worth getting right now.
This thing is more than just a daily driver. Under the hood, there's an AMD Ryzen 7 6800H processor and a solid 32GB of fast LPDDR5 RAM for a speedy configuration that can handle Windows 11, multiple apps, and dozens of browser tabs with aplomb. The 500GB SSD isn't as large as we'd like, but it's still plenty fine as long as you aren't hoarding tons of video files or installing massive apps. Fortunately, if you need more space, you can always upgrade it yourself to a max of 8TB later on.
This mini PC is fantastic for work and productivity thanks to its triple 4K monitor support. Between the HDMI, DisplayPort, and USB-C video ports, you can run three 4K displays at up to 60Hz of refresh each, providing loads of screen real estate for apps, documents, spreadsheets, etc. You also get four high-speed USB-A ports for drives and peripherals, a Gigabit Ethernet port, and a 3.5mm audio jack.
Skip the laptop and skip the giant desktop PC. Take advantage of this sale and get this Beelink SER5 Max for only $318.99 while you can!
Save 26% on this awesome Ryzen 7 mini PC with 32GB RAM
While the CPU had to take on many of these tasks in conventional systems, the NPU enables a significantly more differentiated load distribution. This lowers the average system load and noticeably reduces energy requirements. As many NPU calculations can be carried out at a low clock frequency and in parallel, the energy balance is significantly improved compared to purely CPU- or GPU-based architectures.
Energy-saving components in Intel Core Ultra
The Intel Core Ultra V models in particular combine four performance cores with four efficiency cores and a dedicated NPU to form a tiered computing unit. The P-cores take over performance-critical tasks, while the E-cores and NPU remain continuously active in the background and run routine processes and AI functions with low power requirements.
In addition to the temporary data from the cache, there are download logs, cookies, saved passwords, updates downloaded in the background, or log files.
System and application programs don't always take care of removing such files themselves.
As a result, more and more junk data accumulates on the hard drive, which then wastes unnecessary time and space during backups. This is exactly where the BleachBit program comes in. And the latest version 5.0 is the first major update in around two years.
Video editing doesn't have to be a slow, frustrating process. With Macxvideo AI, you'll get a lifetime license to a full suite of AI-powered tools that simplify your workflow, enhance video quality, and save serious time. And at just $25, this deal is hard to beat.
Why Macxvideo AI Stands Out
All-in-One Toolkit - Edit, convert, compress, record, and upscale in one platform.
AI Super Resolution - Upscale video to 4K/8K while preserving fine detail and texture.
AI Frame Interpolation - Add extra frames for smoother playback and motion.
Noise/Blur Removal - Clean up shaky or grainy footage in seconds.
AI Face Recovery - Restore natural detail and clarity in faces.
AI Colorization - Bring black-and-white footage to life with realistic colors.
GPU Acceleration - Up to 47x faster processing for rendering, exporting, and enhancements.
Extra Tools Built-In - Screen recording, GIF creation, compression, wat
We've scoured the market for hidden gems: 12 gadgets that will make you think "Wow, I didn't know I needed that, but it will make my life so much easier!" Let's dive in and see what cool devices you'll be able to use your type-C cables and ports with.
The good news is, the latest Windows update won't kill your SSD. Even if you're affected, you can restore your drive with a firmware update. The bad news is, your SSD can still fail for a number of other reasons.
Putting Windows Update aside, let's talk about some of the other real threats to your SSD and what you can do to protect it.
Check for SSD firmware updates
SSD manufacturers provide utilities that check for firmware updates and monitor your drive's health. They're worth installing—and it's especially true since this recent issue is related to pre-release firmware updates.
It's a good idea to check if your drive has the latest stable firmware installed. Firmware updates may fix bugs and prevent other problems with your SSD. Avoid any beta firmware update files you may see fo
Typing is overrated—especially when you can dictate your notes at 360 words per minute. With VoiceType AI Voice-to-Text, now just $39 (MSRP $154) for lifetime access, your words practically fly onto the screen.
While the average person types around 40 words per minute, VoiceType delivers results 9x faster with an impressive 99.7 percent accuracy score. Whether you're drafting emails, writing reports, coding documentation, or jotting down creative ideas, this AI-powered tool helps you get things done quicker and cleaner.
What makes it stand out? For starters, VoiceType works across all your apps, from Notion to Linear to your email client. It also automatically formats text, adds punctuation, and adjusts grammar in real time. Whispering in a cof
Subscriptions have become the default for most big-name software, but they also drain your wallet fast. That's why this deal stands out: you can score both Adobe Acrobat Classic (Pro 2024) and Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for just $99.99. Normally, you'd be paying multiple times this price annually just to keep these tools active.
Adobe Acrobat Classic gives you three full years of pro-level PDF editing, conversion, and protection — all offline, without needing cloud access. Whether you're editing text and images, securing sensitive files, or converting PDFs into Word, Excel, or PowerPoint documents, Acrobat Classic has the features you'd expect from
I switched from Gmail to Proton mail on a whim and now I'm very glad I did. Here are the five key benefits I now enjoy with Proton mail.
1. Proton has anonymous sign-up
At no stage during the sign-up process for Proton's free-tier account was I ever asked for any credentials, like my name, birth date, or my gender. That level of anonymity is great for keeping your personal identity safe and secure. Gmail, on the other hand, asks for more information, some of which feels a tad intrusive.
2. Proton offers custom domains
While creating my free username at Proton mail, I got the option of selecting one of two different domains - either a @Proton.me account or a @Protonmail.com account, which is one more than Gmail.
Managing PDFs shouldn't require a subscription. Whether you're editing a contract, converting scanned forms, or just trying to extract text from an image-based file, there's no reason to pay monthly for basic tools you'll use over and over. This PDF Converter and Editor Lifetime License gives you a simpler, one-time alternative to monthly subscriptions, and it's on sale for $29.99 (reg. $99.99).
This all-in-one software lets you convert PDFs into formats like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and images, and convert those file types back into PDFs with just a few clicks. It also includes built-in OCR, which can recognize text in scanned documents and turn them into searchable, editable files. That makes it especially helpful if you're digitizing paperwork or working with older files.
Beyond conversions, the platform has editing tools that let you split, merge, rotate, annotate, or secure your PDFs. You can add watermarks, compress large files, unlock password-protected documents, and even create custom forms with interactive fields. Instead of relying on multiple programs, this software brings everything into one tool.
The full version is available for Windows, with core conversion and creation features currently supported on macOS as well. All features come unlocked with a one-time license, and updates are included.
Not every streaming service needs to flood you with sitcom reboots and random filler shows. If you'd rather binge-watch content that actually teaches you something, meet MagellanTV, available for a one-time payment of $149.97. The platform is built around deep collections of documentaries on science, history, nature, crime, space, and culture — basically the kind of stuff you wish the big services still prioritized.
MagellanTV isn't just another subscription to stack onto your monthly bill. With one payment, you unlock unlimited access to more than 4,000 ad-free documentaries, all streamable on smart TVs, Roku, Fire TV, Chromecast, AppleTV, and a variety of mobile devices. New content drops every week, so it's not a stale library, and you can even cast to your big screen without interruptions.
If you're into streaming that feeds your brain as much as your downtime, check out a
This tiny device runs on an AMD Ryzen 7 6800H CPU and an amazing 32GB LPDDR5 RAM, which means this thing'll be uber fast, handling all the tasks you need to get done throughout the day. The 1TB SSD will add plenty of storage space for apps and files, while also booting your system in a blink.
This Beelink SER5 Max mini PC also supports triple 4K monitors, so you get to multitask like never before.
If you want a different configuration, there are plenty of mini PCs on sale these days. Here are some alternatives:
For $319 (20% off), you can get the Beelink EQi12 with an Intel i5 CPU, 16GB DDR4, a 500GB SSD, and dual screen support.
If you'd rather get a Ryzen system, the Acemagic K1 is down to $315 (28% off), featuring an AMD Ryzen 7 CPU, 32GB DDR4, a 1TB SSD, and triple display support.
If you want something even cheaper, the Acemagic V1 is down to $188.1 (41% off), featuring an Intel Twin Lake N150 CPU, 16GB DDR4 RAM, and 1TB SSD, as well as dual display support.
The Kamrui GK3Plus is another good option, featuring an Alder Lake N95 CPU, 16GB RAM, and a 512GB SSD, as well as triple-screen support. This one's only $160, which is 20% under its MSRP, but its CPU will be significantly slowe
To be more specific, Xbox consoles are generally running some kind of Windows software as a base, but with so many layers, optimizations, and interface changes that it's impossible to tell from a user perspective. And crucially, an Xbox only runs Xbox games—you can't load up published PC games or other Windows software on the console.
Mike thinks a customizable Xbox console, running Windows with an Xbox interface and with some custom hardware options, would make more sense now. Let Xbox be the interface, not the closed-down console. Microsoft has already been leaning this way with its "This is an Xbox" cam
With a 140W output, this charger is just what Apple recommends to fast-charge the large 16-inch MacBook Pro (2021 or later), so it will work with any device you have at home. With the right high-speed cable, it can take your laptop from 0 to 50 percent in just half an hour, so you can keep on working.
Keep in mind, however, that there's no cable included in this purchase, so you'll need to get your own. Might we suggest this uber-long 240W Anker USB-C cable that's only $12 (24% off) at Amazon right now?
It's not small, but the foldable prongs will make it easier to protect them while you're packing up the charger into your backpack, for instance, making it more travel-friendly. And there's only one USB-C port on this charger, so you're only going to use it for one device at a time, but at these speeds you won't be waiting long.
Woot's deals are fleeting, as the company only offers them for a set number of days or until sold out, whichever moment comes first. This Apple power adapter deal technically has an expiration date set 22 days from now, but we've seen Apple gear vanish fast in the past, so we'd hurry if we were you. Your Amazon Prime perks transfer to Woot, so you can get free shipping on your order.
Best Buy seems to be closing out this particular model, the HP Omnibook 5 Flip, as we've seen it go on sale several times in the last couple of months. But that doesn't mean it's a bad deal. The processor in particular, a 10-core model with speeds of up to 5.4Ghz, is particularly zippy for anything in this price range. Ditto for extras like the touchscreen (1080p) and IR camera for face-scanning logins, and 512GB of storage is about average at this price.
But the 16GB of DDR5 RAM is not average, it's generous for $550. And it's essential — I wouldn't buy a modern Windows 11 machine with any less, especially considering how crucial and memory-hungry modern browser are. The 2-in-1 (Yoga-style) hinge, double USB-C and USB-A, and full-sized HDMI ports would also be handy for a student or anyone who travels frequently, and the 68-watt-hour battery is pretty good for its 3.64-pound (1.65 kilogram) weight.
There's no time limit on this deal at the moment, but again, I wouldn't be surprised to see it pop up again at Best Buy in a few weeks. If this isn't to your liking, be sure to check out PCWorld's picks for the best laptops on the market.
Shoot for a 1080p screen and at least 8GB of RAM. That combo keeps things running smooth and makes videos look good, too. You'll have to give up a few bells and whistles at this price, but don't worry, we've already sifted through the junk to identify affordable laptops you actually want.
Here are our top picks that prove budget laptops don't have to be terrible.
Acer Aspire Go 15 - Best laptop under $500 overall
By 3D-printing a custom frame for the central tablet design, then tossing in a Lenovo keyboard and a ton of extra batteries in the bottom section, Reddit user MysteriousAlarm897 created a tiny 8.8-inch laptop out of the Legion Go hardware.
It's a chunky little thing, about three inches thick by the photos, but the fit and finish is great for a custom project. As Liliputing notes, there's also a custom USB-C hub built into the base to give it extra ports, and it has cutouts for air circulation and speakers. It's a tidy little setup that I'm sure took a few iterations. A "slim" version of the design dispenses with the extra battery pack and shaves off an inch or so.
The Legion Go is proving to be a popular option for 3D-printed projects thanks to its flexibility, and
While the lines are becoming increasingly blurred, we see two basic types of smart home systems: Those focused on convenience first-the hubs listed here-and those focused on home security first (and here are our top DIY home security system picks). Decide first what is your primary goal-convenience or security-and then shop accordingly.
The best smart home systems
Samsung SmartThings Station - Best DIY smart home hub for most people
A particularly dangerous malware variant that combines both techniques has now been discovered by security experts at ThreatFabric. Known as RatOn, the Trojan infiltrates an Android phone, accesses data, empties bank accounts, then locks the device to blackmail the owner.
All of this sounds scary enough, but it gets worse: RatOn can act largely autonomously. This means attackers hardly need to take any action once the Trojan lands on a device. It's able to steal PINs its own, log into accounts, and transfer money until those accounts are empty. Crypto wallets are also a common target.
Once there's nothing left to steal, ransomware is automatically installed on the device. The ransomware encrypts all data and denies access, allowing the attacker to send blackmail messages to the owner demanding payment in order to restore access. However, it's unclear whether those affected still have the opportunity to do so at this point, as their accounts have already been emptied.
In product terms this is what's known as a "rebadge," and it's hardly unprecedented for both regular chips and other designs. But given the pace of CPU tech, and the issues Intel is facing at the moment, this particular example might rub consumers the wrong way. Assuming they notice, of course — the entire point of a rebadge is getting products out there without making much of a splash. The new listing was spotted by Twitter poster @momomo_US.
The M3 chip in this MacBook Air is uber-fast, delivering outstanding performance whether you're working through spreadsheets or juggling dozens of Chrome tabs. When our friends at MacWorld reviewed this laptop, they praised its excellent battery life and its price-performance, ultimately giving it a fantastic 4.5-star rating.
Paired with a solid 24GB of Unified RAM and a 512GB SSD, you have an excellent everyday driver laptop that's perfect for work, fun, hobbies, streaming, and even photo editing. The 15.3-inch Liquid Retina Display makes everything look crisp and high-def, while also being easy to work with in all lighting conditions.
The M3 MacBook Air features two USB4 ports plus Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 for connectivity. The ports allow you to hook up an external 6K@60Hz display, or you can connect two 5K@60Hz displays (but you'll have to close the laptop lid for the latter). No other ports means it's a bit lacking for external storage and other peripherals, but you can get around that by getting a USB-C hub or docking station.
This ultra-fast cable has 240W of charging throughput, which is fast enough to charge your phone in minutes rather than hours. It's also fast enough for most laptops as long as you have a wall plug that can do it justice, like this one that's $20 off right now.
At 10 feet long, this USB-C cable offers plenty of versatility so you aren't tethered to the wall while your phone is plugged in. Whether you're scrolling in bed or working at your desk, this length is more than enough for pretty much any situation. And it has bio-braided sheathing that's rated for up to 10,000 bends—very durable.
Future-proof your device charging speeds with this ultra-fast USB-C charging cable, and get it now for just $12.99 while you can.
Save 24% on Anker's ultra-fast 10-foot USB-C charging cableBuy now at Amazon
Scripted mode: reads your input verbatim Emotive: riffs a bit for max drama Story: performs multiple voices/characters Try out all 3 ?? https://t.co/9hL81LTFwF pic.twitter.com/rOVZKGbDjX
— Mustafa Suleyman (@mustafasuleyman) September 10, 2025
Specifically, the feature is part of Copilot Audio Expressions, which is the actual tool that turns text into spoken audio. Previously, Copilot Audio Expressions only had two modes: Story Mode (which weaves together multiple vocal styles and characters for a storytelling experience) and Emotive Mode (which uses a single, distinct voice that matches a particular mood with some improvisation).
With Scripted Mode, Copilot Audio Expressions can now take text and read it aloud with a fast and direct take, making sure to read the content verbatim without any riffing or creativ
Google announced the improvements this week, noting that the new automations editor for the Google Home app is still rolling out in waves to Android and iOS users. The editor debuted in Google's Public Preview program last month.
Among the latest changes to the automation editor is the addition of new conditions, or criteria that must be met before a given routine can run. A "condition" is the second (and optional) component of a newer Google Home automation; "starters" are the events that initially trigger an automation (such as a time of day, or a security camera spotting a person or a package), while "actions" specify what the automation will actually do (such as turn on your living room lights).
In addition, messages in chats and channels that contain EXE files will be blocked altogether since EXE files are a common vector for malware. Thanks to enhanced integration with Microsoft Defender, all communication from blocked domains will also be disallowed.
"To help users stay protected from malicious content, we're introducing message warnings in Microsoft Teams," says the alert. "This new feature displays a warning banner on messages containing URLs flagged as Spam, Phish, or Malware—whether the message is internal or external. These warnings enhance user awareness and complement existing security protections like Safe Links and ZAP." See the official support page to learn more about how link protection works in Teams.
The rollout of this new Microsoft Teams security feature will begin with a public preview later in September and is expected to reach general availability by November. It will be available to Microsoft Defender for Office 365 (MDO) customers and Microsoft Teams enterprise customers.
Microsoft wants to draw users' attention to the AI contained in Windows and encourage them to use the function. If this annoys you though, you can simply remove the menu entry via the registry.
Type "Registry Editor" in the search window of the taskbar and click on the hit Registry Editor. Click through to the folder "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Shell Extensions\" and open the key Blocked.
If this key does not exist, right-click on Shell Extensions, go to New - Key and give the new key the name "Blocked".
The Samsung Pro Plus is perfect for adding more storage space to your various microSD-compatible devices. With impressive read speeds of up to 180 MB/s and write speeds of 130 MB/s, it's capable of recording 4K video without stuttering or losing frames. It's also fast enough to run software (like games) with good performance.
But how will you read and write all that data if your laptop doesn't have a microSD card slot? No problem! This card also comes with a USB-A adapter so you can use it with pretty much any device. Built for durability, it's protected against water damage, extreme temperatures, X-rays, magnets, and physical drops, so your data stays safe.
Between the performance, reliability, and free adapter, this deal is a no-brainer. Get the Samsung Pro Plus 128GB microSD card for $14.99 and take advantage of this opportunity while it's still around!
Get this 128GB microSD card with free USB-A adapter for 33% offBuy now at Amazon
The one I got is made by BIGASUO (a name I can't stop saying), but you can find seemingly identical models from the likes of FANGOR and MNN. They all serve the same basic purpose as a travel-friendly way to add an extra screen to your laptop, and they all have the same basic features:
15.6-inch 1080p display
USB-C or Mini HDMI input
Built-in speakers
Audio jack for headphones or external speakers
A detachable folio stand
Some variants, such as this one by the unfortunately named Dopesplay, have actual built-in kickstands instead of folio cases that double as makeshift stands, but otherwise appear identical.
Are these monitors great quality-wise? Of course not. But they're cheap, light, and versatile. They're also refreshingly free from a lot of modern tech baggage. I've had a great time finding ways to use mine. Allow me to convince you why you should get one of these, too.
This column first appeared in Advisorator, Jared's weekly tech advice newsletter.
Hey, I'll be honest: I found some surprises in my own Microsoft account settings recently, and that's why I want to share these tips with you. For example, I had no idea Microsoft was sharing my personal data with third-party partners for advertising-related purposes.
Some of these tips are straightforward, others are less obvious. To find your Microsoft account settings, head to account.microsoft.com and sign in with your Microsoft account credentials.
Control which apps can access your data
You can give third-party apps direct access to your Microsoft account. That one email tool you used back in 2018? Yeah, it might still have access to your Microsoft account emails. Lots of other online account systems, like Google accounts, work the same way. (It's called OAuth.)
Running on a powerful AMD Ryzen 7 8745HS processor and a chunky 32GB of fast DDR5 RAM as well as a spacious 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD, this mini PC will serve you well in all you do. It can smoothly handle Windows 11 Pro (which comes pre-installed) and it can even do some modest gaming thanks to the built-in AMD Radeon 780M integrated graphics. Want to push it even further? You can add an AMD eGPU via USB4!
The Geekom AX8 Max is a multitasker's dream because it can support up to four high-res monitors—two USB4 ports can each handle up to 8K@30Hz and two HDMI ports can each handle up to 4K@60Hz. Other ports include five high-speed USB-A, a slower USB-A for peripherals, two fast 2.5Gbps Ethernet, and a 3.5mm audio jack. You also get built-in Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 wireless connectivity.
Thanks to its impressively compact design, you can tuck this thing beneath your monitor, push it to the corner of your desk, or even mount it to the back of any VESA-compatible monitor thanks to the included VESA plate. It may be small, but it's powerful and versatile.
Don't pass up this opportunity! Get the Geekom AX8 Max for $528.99 while you can because this limited-time deal won't last forever.
Save 29% on this awesome Ryzen 7 mini PC with 32GB RAM and qu
It's a cross-platform app that lets you save high-quality videos from websites like YouTube, Vimeo, TikTok, SoundCloud, Facebook, and Twitch, and unlike most of its competitor apps, it's very stable to use and works like a dream.
Apart from one-click downloading of videos from multiple websites, the app lets you do a bunch of other cool things. You can save playlists, channels and search results, and even save accompanying audio tracks in different languages.
It turns out a lot of people don't understand passkeys.
I learned this after last week's show, when people on our Discord server began chatting about our recap of best practices for online security.
Our group brought up plenty of technical points, being the awesome nerds they are. But as the conversation unfolded, misconceptions cropped up about passkeys and how they work. That surprised me—as did learning more than one of my colleagues doesn't quite get them, either.
I ended up following up on the topic this week, in one of my longest-ever responses during a Q&A segment. I spent a lot of time preparing the breakdown, which covers a very simple overview of asymmetrical public-private encryption keys (aka public-key encryption), then dives into nuances of what passkeys do and don't protect against.
This deeper look got me thinking. Typically, more tech knowledge simplifies problems. You can figure out solutions faster and more efficiently. The familiarity helps you know which details to prioritize and which to disregard.
This instance is a rare occurrence of the opposite—where familiarity breeds a demand for perfection.
Writing and testing code can be complex enough without the added friction of limited tools or slow environments. Visual Studio Professional 2022 is a comprehensive development platform built to support modern workflows across web, mobile, and desktop projects. It's also only $14.97 for a lifetime license (normally $499).
As Microsoft's first 64-bit integrated development environment, this version of Visual Studio is optimized for large, complex solutions that demand more memory and better performance. Developers can build responsive user interfaces with Blazor, create cross-platform apps using .NET MAUI, and write, test, and debug .NET and C applications, including those targeting Linux systems.
IntelliCode helps reduce repetitive typing by offering context-aware code suggestions, while Live Share enables real-time collaboration with teammates. You can co-edit, debug, and review code without needing to switch platforms or send files. Tools like CodeLens give quick access to commit history, test results, and author information, making it easier to stay focused and make informed changes.
Finally, Spotify Premium users would get the chance to "upgrade their sound quality" from Spotify's lossy 320Kbps Ogg Vobis codec to lossless CD-quality audio, with Billie Eilish and Finneas extoling the virtues of lossless Spotify HiFi streaming in a promotional video. The launch date for Spotify HiFi: "later this year," meaning sometime before the end of 2021.
Left unsaid but implied in Spotify's February 2021 announcement was that Premium subscribers would be charged extra for lossless streaming. How much extra wasn't clear, but the whole "upgrade" wording sure made it sound like you'd have to pay more for Spotify HiFi, thus helping Spotify inch its way toward profitability.
The plan made perfect sense. After all, in early 2021, lossless and high-resolution music streaming was still a niche market occupied by the likes of Deezer, Qobuz, and (most of all) Tidal, with rates as high as $20 a month. (Spotify had already been testing a lossless add-on as early as 2017 at various price points.) So why shouldn't Spotify charge extra for lossless music streaming too?
Three months later, Apple and Amazon came along and ruined everything.
In Windows' case, though, you don't get supernatural powers. What you get is access to a whole heap of commands that you'd normally have to dig deep to find in menus, submenus, and tabs.
I use Windows God mode to find and manage Windows administrative tools quicker than I normally would be able to, to adjust and check things like my PC's power plan, and to view my devices. Suffice it to say it saves me a bunch of time by cutting down the time I spend with useless faffing about.
In fact, I recommend Windows God mode as a quick way to access functions that you use a lot and wish you had shortcuts for on your desktop. Here's how to switch it on!
What to do:
Right click on your desktop and select New Folder to create a new folder.
Rename the folder: GodMode.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}.
This should turn your new folder into a desktop icon. If it doesn't happen right away, give it a few minutes — it will.
Double-click on the icon. You will now see a list of functions to choose from. Select the function you want to run by clicking on it at will.
And yeah, with services like Xbox Cloud Gaming or GeForce Now, you can even stream big games on certain models. The main thing is grabbing one that nails the basics-runs smooth, feels sturdy, and doesn't' tap out halfway through the day. We've tested these picks hands-on, so if it's on this list, it's earned its spot.
If you decide that you'd prefer a Windows laptop, check out PCWorld's roundup of the best laptops available today.
Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 - Best overall Chromebook
The new desktop will be our primary OBS machine, the one running stuff in the background while The Full Nerd broadcasts or while PC builds like this one are being done. It's going to be—to use a technical term—a chonker. No SFF builds here. We're talking massive power.
The stream will start at 4:00 PM Eastern US time (1:00 PM Pacific). Show up to watch, hang out in the chat, and tell us what we're doing wrong. And if you're too busy to catch it live, don't worry, it'll be on the YouTube channel later on. Be sure to subscribe while you're over there.
In a recent interview at IFA 2025, PC Watch of Japan (via Windows Central) asked Lenovo executives about the high pricing. It starts at €1,000, "which is close to the price of a laptop," according to a Google translation.
"The Legion Go 2 is expensive because of the high-performance processor, OLED display, detachable controllers, and ergonomic design that make it so powerful," replied a representative. "Therefore, the Legion Go 2 targets enthusiast gamers who are willing to invest in their hobbies. They value customizing their own hardware and building their own setups, and they choose such hardware even if it is expensive."
But who has the time to clean that many screens "the right way"? You know what I'm talking about—grab a screen-safe cleaner, a microfiber cloth, spray and wipe, then put it all back. I know you've been tempted to wipe things off with your shirt! But don't do that.
When your screens are dirty, you really should use a dedicated screen cleaning spray and microfiber cloth. The results are far better—it actually cleans the grime instead of smearing it around and getting it on your shirt—and it doesn't scratch the screen or wear down the protective coatings. But, like you, I hate the inconvenience of it.
That's why, on a whim, I grabbed this 2-in-1 screen cleaning spray with built-in wipe on sale for $7 one day on Amazon—and I love it.
Through a private computing environment, Claude can now write code and run programs to generate files and analyses. Anthropic describes it as the AI chatbot becoming an active collaborator, taking care of the technical side while the user (you) provides context and strategy.
The file creation and editing feature is currently in preview and available to users with a Max, Team, or Enterprise subscription. Pro users will get access within a few weeks while Free users will have to wait longer.
This version of Windows 11 was already available via the Windows Insiders testing system, and the ISO files are still gated behind it, but Windows Central reports that this should be the "production ready" version of the operating system. That means it's ready to head out to PC manufacturers for installation on brand new machines. The full version will be available to download for most users in the near future.
Windows 11 25H2 isn't a huge change over the current version, 24H2, which has already implemented many of the changes versus older releases. Changes to the Start Menu are probably the most visible aspect, which now shows more controls and folders by default. Microsoft's Phone Link software also gets a more central view, there
When looking for the best VPN, you'll want to consider a few things: First and foremost, does it have a good privacy record; how are its average connection speeds; is it able to effectively and consistently unblock streaming services; and finally, does it have a large enough server network for your location needs? All of my curated picks below deliver these essentials and more.
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Beginning today, Google is adding a new dedicated "Purchases" tab that will organize all of your purchases-driven emails into a single location. If you have a personal Gmail account, the new tab view will begin showing up today for those who access Gmail on the web and via the mobile app, Google said.
You'll still see some of the same emails show up in your inbox, clustered at the top, as well as in a summary card — a view that sums up an action item, such as an invitation, task, or order. (Summary cards are turned off in the EU and UK.)
Gmail's new Purchases tab doesn't sound like a bad idea, and not even if you're expecting a bunch of different shipments during the holidays or at other times. With tariffs, the end of the de minimis loopholes, shipment delays, foreign refusals to ship packages to the United States, and other obstacles, a single tab for keeping track of what is where seems like a smart idea.
The Earth's core is comprised of metals and, as the name suggests, makes up the interior of the Earth. It consists of a liquid outer core (made of iron and nickel and other elements, which play a role in the Earth's magnetic field) and a solid inner core (also made of iron and nickel, at a temperature up to 5,700 degrees Celsius).
The Earth's outer core begins around 1,800 miles below the Earth's surface and the inner core begins around 3,200 miles below.
Rotation changes in the Earth's core
For a long time, scientists assumed that the Earth's inner core had a stable, even, and constant rotation below the Earth's crust. However, with the help of seismic analyses (i.e., studies of earthquakes), researchers have discovered that this rotation is by no means constant but fluctuates. These fluctuations can be so massive that the Earth's core can move as fast as the Earth's crust and then appear to stand still.
However, this doesn't mean that the Earth's core rotates in the opposite direction. Instead, it only appears that way because it rotates more slowly in relation to the Earth's crust—sometimes even significantly more slowly. Nor does the Earth's core ever remain stationary, but simply stops changing in relation to the Earth's crust.
This current slowdown in the rotation of the Earth's core began
The RE550 is a nifty little thing that just plugs into any wall outlet. Once plugged in, you connect it to your home Wi-Fi network and it'll "repeat" your main router's signal, effectively "extending" its reach and filling in Wi-Fi dead zones. This one covers an extra 2,200 square feet—depending on the size of your home and the location of your Wi-Fi dead spots, you may need more than one to fill every dead zone.
The RE550 is a dual-band Wi-Fi extender that supports up to 1,300 Mbps on the 5GHz band and up to 600 Mbps on the 2.4GHz band. It has a smart signal indicator on the front that shows how good your network signal is at any given time, and it has an Ethernet port that lets you wire up any device (like a laptop) when you need a more stable connection.
Say goodbye to Wi-Fi dead spots and get the TP-Link RE550 Wi-Fi Range Extender for only $44.99 while this limited-time deal is still on!
Save 44% and fix your home's Wi-Fi dead spots in a snapBuy now at Amazon
I accidentally came across one of these videos on Facebook and strongly advise against watching or sharing it. If you don't want to see disturbing clips in your social feed, here's how to disable it:
How to disable autoplay videos on Facebook (mobile desktop)
Mobile (Android / iOS):
Open the Facebook app.
Tap your profile picture.
Scroll down to Settings and Privacy. Open Settings.
Scroll to Preferences Media (sometimes called Media and Contacts) Media.
Under Autoplay in Feed and Stories, select Never.
Desktop (web):
Click on your profile picture (located at the top right of the screen) Settings & Privacy Settings.
In the left menu, select Preferences (or Media).
Find Autoplay Animations and flip it to the off position.
"The fact that this is quality—and that's true across our company, motion picture, TV production and streaming quality—we all think that gives us a chance to raise [the] price," said Warner Bros. Discover CEO David Zaslav during a recent investor conference (as per The Hollywood Reporter). "We think we're way underpriced. We're going to take our time."
When Zaslav says "we're going to take our time," I'd interpret that as maybe a month or two, not much more.
The last time HBO Max (we'll just keep calling it that to cut down on confusion) raised prices was roughly 15 months ago, when the streamer hiked the price of its two ad-free tiers by a buck each, while leaving its "Basic with Ads" tier alone.
Here's a breakdown of HBO Max's current price structure:
Basic with Ads: $9.99 a month, or $99.99 a year
Standard: $16.99 a month, $169.99 a year
Premium: $20.99 a month, $209.99 a year
As a reminder, HBO Max's Premium tier gives you four simultaneous 4K UHD streams with Dolby Atmos support plus up to 100 downloads at a time. The Standard plan offers
Perseverance made the decisive discovery back in July 2024, when the Mars rover drove through a dried-up 400-meter-wide riverbed called Neretva Vallis in the Jezero Crater (which is 28 miles across). Water flowing into the Jezero Crater formed this riverbed billions of years ago.
Perseverance finds potential proof of life
The robot discovered a reddish rock that astronomers have christened "Cheyava Falls," which measures 1 meter by 0.6 meters and contains tiny structures. Perseverance took a sample of the rock, which is called "Sapphire Canyon"—and after a year of investigation, scientists found the best evidence to date of ancient microbial life processes.
NASA explains in the announcement that a "potential biosignature" is a "a substance or structure that might have a biological origin but requires more data or further study before a conclusion can be reached about the absence or presence of life."
The tiny clues, which look like "leopard spots" on the rock, could have been left by microbial life that utilized the organic carbon, sulfur
The Ultraloq Bolt NFC ($200) also has a numeric PIN pad arranged in a semi-circle around a conventional key cylinder, but it doesn't have a fingerprint reader (you will find that feature on the Bolt Fingerprint Matter smart lock we reviewed in January, but that lock doesn't support near-field communications).
"Customers who purchased directly from HYTE.com will receive full refunds and instructions on how to safely dispose of the AIO soon," said the alert. "We will also notify authorized resellers to reach out to customers who have purchased this product on next steps."
The Thicc Q80 Trio is the company's flagship triple-fan AIO design, topped off with a 5-inch screen above the heat spreader and pump, and retailing for $350 USD before yesterday. According to the alert, the similar Thicc Q60 was released before the new model and is not being recalled, apparently having a different enough design that it doesn't suffer from whatever flaw is in play.
Let's talk specs because this machine is built to impress. It's powered by a 13th-gen Intel Core i7-13620H processor paired with an amazing 32GB of DDR5 RAM and a spacious 1TB SSD. But what really kicks it up into high gear is the dedicated Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 GPU that just came out earlier this year and unlocks the latest Nvidia gaming features, including DLSS 4, multi frame generation, AI upscaling, and more.
That's an amazing combo that's perfect for handling your everyday workload, your 3D games, your creative hobbies, and hundreds of Chrome tabs (if you're like that). And it'll look good on this laptop's beautiful 16-inch IPS display with its 1920×1200 resolution and speedy 165Hz refresh rate. That all translates into sharp images, vivid colors, and fluid gameplay visuals with no stuttering or tearing.
The Gigabyte Gaming A16 is a bargain for just $1,050 given what it has to offer, so don't sleep on this deal. Those specs are impressive for the price, and this discount won't last forever. But if this isn't the right laptop for you, check out our other favorite gaming laptops worth buying.
As a result, small-time developers will not have to share their payment details with Microsoft, BleepingComputer reports.
"Developers will no longer need a credit card to get started, removing a key point of friction that has affected many creators around the world," Microsoft writes in the statement.
"By eliminating these one-time fees, Microsoft is creating a more inclusive and accessible platform that empowers more developers to innovate, share and thrive on the Windows ecosystem."
According to Microsoft, the Microsoft Store currently has over 250 million monthly active users, and this change is meant to spur more active development of apps for the ecosystem—most notably small-time apps and utilities that could help fill out gaps on the Microsoft Store.
Individual developers still need to sign in with a personal Microsoft account and provide a selfie plus a valid government-issued ID before they can submit to the Microsoft Store. This change is now active across nearly 200 markets worldwide. All app types are welcome, including Win32, UWP, PWA, .NET MAUI, and Electron apps.
Apparently, the update secretly removes two programs that were still part of the operating system for some users. The two programs are PowerShell 2.0 and Windows Management Instrumentation Command-Line (WMIC), which were of particular interest to power users and admins.
Why were these programs removed?
PowerShell 2.0 is, as the name suggests, a tool with which admins could access a special Windows command line for power users. However, the program is now considered insecure and outdated, which is why Microsoft has decided to phase it out for good. (PowerShell is still around, though, and sits at version 7.5 as of this writing.)
WMIC is a web-based tool that enabled Windows Enterprise customers to retrieve information about PCs on their network. Like PowerShell 2.0, this tool is also considered obsolete and is therefore being removed if it's still present on certain Windows 11 PCs.
According to Microsoft, both tools are hardly used any more and represent security risks. Instead, users should use the latest ve
While YouTube TV and Hulu Live TV cost upwards of $83 per month, new skinny bundles from DirecTV, Fubo, Sling TV, and even Comcast offer live sports for less. New standalone options from ESPN and Fox present even more ways to save money.
But depending on what you want to watch, some of these bundles will work better than others. The situation reminds me a bit of cord-cutting's early years, in which every live TV streaming service came with some notable omissions. Below, I'll help you sort through them all to find the best sports bundle for your needs.
Streaming sports packages compared
Here's a chart with all of the sports bundles available as of September 2025:
The Fire TV Stick 4K is a game-changer for any TV, old or new. You just plug it into the TV's HDMI port and you'll instantly unlock access to your favorite streaming platforms, shows, and movies. Not only does it support up to glorious 4K playback, it's faster (less laggy) than previous models.
This compact device fits in the palm of your hand, which means it also fits neatly into bags and pockets, making it the perfect travel-friendly gadget to bring with you to hotels and Airbnbs. It's not just about streaming media content either, as it also lets you play Xbox games without a console (if you have an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription).
The Fire TV Stick 4K comes with an Alexa Voice Remote, so it's easier than ever to find and turn on whatever you want to watch. You can even ask Alexa for all the usual Alexa stuff, like weather forecasts, news reports, answers to random questions, and controlling other smart home devices.
Don't miss out on this chance to get the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K for only $29.99 because this limited-time deal isn't going to last forever!
Save a whopping 40% on Amazon's excellent Fire TV Stick 4KBuy now at Amazon
This tiny little hub turns your laptop's USB-C port into eight different ports, making your laptop so much more versatile. That includes two full-sized HDMI, allowing you to attach up to two external 4K displays and boost your multitasking productivity at home or even on the go. (Max 4K@60Hz with one or 4K@30Hz with two connected.)
The other ports on this hub include a USB-C Power Delivery port with up to 85W of pass-through charging (to keep your laptop charged while ports are in use), plus two fast USB-A ports, slots for both SD and microSD cards, and an Ethernet connection. Note that this hub doesn't come with a charger or a cable, so you'll have to supply your own.
This is a fantastic accessory, expanding your laptop's capabilities for just $39.98 on Amazon. Grab it on sale while you still can!
Save 26% on Anker's 8-in-1 USB-C hub with dual 4K HDMI portsBuy now at Amazon
There's nothing worse than realizing your laptop is gone and being full of regret, wishing you'd taken those proactive steps when you had the chance. You have that chance right now—don't put it off until "later" that never comes. Act now to protect your sensitive data and make sure your laptop is more easily recoverable should you lose it.
Both Windows 11 and Windows 10 have useful safeguarding features worth using, and Windows can theoretically track your lost laptop (but you'll need extra hardware for the best tracking experience). Here are the preemptive steps you should take to protect your laptop ASAP.
Check if your storage is encrypted
First things first, you have to make sure your laptop's internal storage is securely encrypted. There's a good chance it already is—disk encryption is enabled by default on many newer Windows laptops—but it might not be. If it isn't, you'll want to turn it on.
To check if your PC is encrypted, open the Start menu, search for "Device Encryption" or "BitLocker," then click Device encryption settings or Manage BitLocker, respectively. You'll see a different
According to Microsoft, the point of passkey is to make the future password-less and to counteract the close to 4,000 password attacks estimated to occur worldwide every second.
How does passkey work?
Instead of a single vulnerable secret password that can be stolen or guessed by hackers, passkey access uses two unique keys known as a cryptographic pair.
One key is stored on your devices guarded by your biometrics or pin, and the other key stays with the app or website for which you created the passkey. The key combination is unique to you and a successful sign in requires both keys to work.
Passkey represents a change to the way most PC users have logged in previously. I've always used a password to log in to my Microsoft account and was skeptical at first, but after doing a bit of research, I've changed my mind about it. Here are the four reasons I'm now glad I now use passkey.
1. It's so much quicker than using a password
I timed myself typing in my passw
PDFs are everywhere, and they always show up when you're in a hurry. Maybe it's a contract that needs edits, a scanned receipt that has to be searchable, or a massive file that's too big to send. This is exactly where PDF Agile for Windows proves its worth. Right now, you can grab a lifetime license for just $39.99 (MSRP: $119) and finally stop stressing over your documents.
With PDF Agile, editing is easy. You can change text, update formatting, and even work with scanned files thanks to built-in OCR (optical character recognition). Conversions are just as smooth — turn PDFs into Word, Excel, or PowerPoint files without breaking your fonts or layouts.
Need to keep sensitive data safe? Add password protection, redact details, or apply electronic signatures in se
Owning Microsoft Office Pro 2021 is one thing. Actually knowing how to unlock its full potential? That's another story. Right now, you can get a lifetime license to Office Pro 2021 for Windows plus a complete Microsoft training bundle for just $39.99 (MSRP: $239).
Office Pro 2021 gives you lifetime access to the classics — Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, Publisher, Access, and OneNote. It's a one-time install for your home or office without any monthly fees. But this offer also includes
We get it: you're trying to turn a profit, not blow your budget on business-level security software and an IT team to manage it. Norton Small Business is a competitively priced security suite for small businesses with up to 10 employees, and right now there is a 30% discount on the first year, making it phenomenal value for money and a no-brainer for any small business owner who is serious about their company's digital security.
Save 30% on Norton Small Business with code PCWNSBPView Special Deal
Norton Small Business comes with real-time antivirus, a firewall, and business support ready to assist you with virus removal. But it does so much more than helping protect your business devices from malware.
Norton Small Business can help you protect your business from financial fraud with Financial Monitoring, preventing the loss of your data due to ransomware, PC theft or hard drive failures with Cloud Backup for Windows, empower your employees to work more securely from anywhere, and enables increased productivity with a suite of Windows PC optimisation tools.
Paid password managers of course offer nice extras, but a free password manager still protects you from the risks of using weak or reused passwords. Instead of remembering all of your passwords and/or passkeys, you just need one to access a single, secure place where all of the rest are stored.
And because free password managers come in different flavors and styles, you should be able to find one that fits your needs. Even Google's password manager, built into Chrome and Android, can work as a no-cost option with a nifty Windows tie-in. Plus, if you find that the free versions aren't enough, down the road you can always upgrade to a paid service.
Tiny11 has been out for a few years now; in fact, we last wrote about Tiny11 in 2023. It's now received a substantial update, and the focus has slightly changed: Now, it's an option for those who don't want to deal with the bloat or the ad telemetry that Windows 11 brings.
"After more than a year (for which I am so sorry) of no updates, Tiny11 Builder is now a much more complete and flexible solution — one script fits all," ntdevlabs, the developer, wrote. "Also, it is a steppingstone for an even more fleshed-out solution."
Essentially, Tiny11 Builder takes a Windows 11 ISO, loads it, but chops out a ton of built-in Windows apps, the telemetry, and the "ads" to use specific Windows features. Yes, a Windows 10 user will be forced to transition to Windows 11. Tiny11 Builder's mission, however, is to strip down Windows 11 to its essentials, even if that still means dealing with the new Windows 11 Start menu, the relatively static Taskbar, or other features. There's another plus, though: Tiny 11 Builder removes the need for a Microsoft account.
Tiny11 Builder can be downloaded from GitHub for free, from its developer, NTDEV, or netdevlabs. You'll need to download the Windows 11 ISO from Microsoft, launch PowerShell, then follow the script instructions. It's certainly not as easy as a one-click executable, but it doesn't appear to be too difficult. You can use it on "any" Windows release, the developer says, and it will run on Windows on Arm, too.
Since Tiny11 Builder slices off a few unneeded (to t
As wild as that scenario sounds for a major appliance like a refrigerator or a TV, it happens more often than you'd think in the smart home world. From the doomed Dropcam to the abandoned Revolv smart hub, there's a long, sad parade of smart home devices that have turned into paperweights.
We've compiled a list of 12 infamous examples of killer smart home products that—for one reason or another—were abandoned by their manufacturers.
These deactivated smart home gadgets have either mostly or completely ceased to function. In some cases, the makers of these bricked devices offered refunds, or a discount on an upgraded or replacement product. But in other instances, customers were left high and dry.
Read ‘em and weep.
12 stone-dead smart home gadgets
Amazon Echo Look
Launched: 2017 Original list price: $200 Date deactivated: July 24, 2020
We checked out the burn-in torture test from Monitors Unboxed back in February, when a year of brutal use for thousands of hours showed visible, but minimal burn-in for a 4K OLED panel. After extending the same worst-case scenario test to 18 months and over 4000 hours of side-by-side productivity tasks, the testing also shows a persistent, dark taskbar, as is probably the standard for most Windows 11 users.
Watching the results on my own OLED monitor, which has gone through about eight months of primary work and gaming conditions, the burn-in in the video is definitely visible, but only when specifically looking for it in all-dark or all-light
We've scoured the market for hidden gems: 12 gadgets that will make you think "Wow, I didn't know I needed that, but it will make my life so much easier!" Let's dive in and see what cool devices you'll be able to use your type-C cables and ports with.
Free users report on Reddit that they can now see only a limited number of lyrics. To view more, they're prompted to upgrade to a Premium subscription.
This isn't the first time a music streaming platform has tried this approach. Spotify, YouTube Music's rival, tried something like this last year but quickly backed off after users (rightfully!) complained.
The people of Reddit are pretty annoyed too, saying they use lyrics for karaoke, sing-alongs, or just learning new songs. They feel the change is a frustrating way to monetize features that were previously free.
YouTube Music has over 125 million users, and this little lyrics paywall might push some folks to go Premium. But it could also anger folks who just want to see the words without feeling forced to cough up the cash. Whether other services like Apple Music or Amazon Music follows suit, or if enough people complain to make YouTube back off, only time will tell.
This is a wired camera, so you'll need to run a power cable to it—make sure you pick a mounting spot that's close enough to a power outlet so you can get it plugged in. That's all the "support" this camera needs. Once it's going, it connects to your home Wi-Fi network and you can manage everything from your phone. Plus, how cute are those little antennas that improve its Wi-Fi connectivity?
Cuteness aside, this is a heck of a camera that captures video footage in crystal-clear 2560×1440 resolution (also known as 2K), allowing you to see even more details than most cameras in this price range. At night, it uses a Starlight night sensor to capture high-quality images in any lighting condition. It's also weatherproof with an IP66 rating, so it'll survive outdoors just fine. The two-way audio is nice for speaking to whoever's outside, and the built-in siren can help scare away unwanted guests.
The Tapo C320WS is fully compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, so you can pull up and check out your security footage at any time using a voice command. It supports both microSD storage (not included) and cloud storage (requires paid subscription), with the latter providing 30 days of history and extra features.
Add a high-quality security camera to your home with the Tapo C320WS, and get it now while it's 22% off!
We've tested all the laptops on this list ourselves, so these aren't just specs pulled from a product page. They're real recommendations, based on hands-on experience.
We've cut through the clutter to bring you the top picks across every category-from sleek, no-fuss Chromebooks to powerhouse gaming machines.
There are dozens of fixes and tweaks in the official update log, but I'm going to focus on the ones that jumped out at me.
A new Customization tab allows you to set a custom sort name. This is a big deal for people who have huge collections and want to organize them. For example, you can set the cumbersome title for "The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition" to just "Skyrim," so it appears under "S" in the list like your brain says it should.
This menu also lets you set a custom cover, wide cover, background, and logo. You can set the game cover to a screenshot of the custom character you spent 100 hours and a dozen different mods on. Yeah, I see you, weirdos.
New accessibility settings in desktop mode, including high contrast, reduced motion, and UI scaling. My tired eyeballs would say "thank you" if they could say anything (they can't, they're eyeballs).
The in-game performance monitor is back with a tweak that should be more accurate than Task Manager.
You now get a notification for when trades are reversed via Trade Protection (still limited to Counter-Strike, so far as I know).
You can filter by "private games" in the dy
It will now be possible to play music in 24 bits and 44.1 kHz with Spotify's free lossless audio codec on mobile phones, computers, and tablets. It will also be possible to play lossless music on speakers from Bose, Samsung, Sennheiser, and Sony via Spotify Connect, with support for Amazon and Sonos speakers coming next month.
The new batch of emojis recommended for inclusion in standard emoji keyboards include: a "distorted face," a "fight cloud" as seen in comics and cartoons, an "orca" or "killer whale", a "hairy creature" reminiscent of Bigfoot, a "trombone," a "landslide," and a "treasure chest."
On top of these brand-new emojis, the remaining emoji changes include gender-neutral ballet dancers in different skin tones, as well as more skin tone variants for existing codes like the "people with bunny ears" and "people wrestling" emojis.
As always, the exact look of these emojis will differ between platforms, depending on how each one interprets the new codes. They're expected to roll out to emoji keyboards towards the end of 2025.
