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Nov 14, 2018
Yesterday, we showed you how to get the cornerstones of an awesome AMD budget rig on the cheap. Today, we're making that combo even better with your choice of two 27-inch, 1080p FreeSync monitors. Walmart is selling the Dell SE2717HR for $119Remove non-product link, while
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Nov 14, 2018
Amazon's over-the-air DVR nails the little details, but it has some major limitations.
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Nov 14, 2018
Digging deep into Windows 10Image by Dan Masaoka/IDG
Windows 10's constantly evolving nature means fresh features arrive twice per year, and with all the new goodies come a legion of new tweaks and tricks—some of which unlock powerful functionality hidden to everyday users. Others simply let you mold the Windows 10 experience into the shape you see fit. Here are some of the most useful tweaks, tricks, and tips we've found, starting with some of the highlights from the Windows 10 October 2018 Update (which includes more nifty everyday conveniences than we can include here).
To read this article in full, please click here
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Nov 14, 2018
Withings launches a new Pulse HR fitness tracker with three week battery life and continuous heart-rate monitoring.
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Nov 14, 2018
If there's any review I've been anxiously awaiting to write, it's this one. Having seen demos at vendor showcases, I knew NVMe SSD setups could go far faster than what's possible with the single M.2 slot most PCs offer.
To see HighPoint's 7101A 4-slot, x16 PCIe NVMe RAID card reading at 11GBps reading and writing at nearly 10GBps on PCWorld's own testbed was a major hoot. Alas, that's using a synthetic benchmark, and in our real-world copy tests, performance was only slightly faster than with a single fast NVMe SSD.
HighPoint said that with the right software, i.e., something that does its own I/O such as synthetic benchmarks, you will get the same dramatic performance boost. We'll have to take the company at its word, as the 7101A also served to illustrate a number of shortcomings of current PCs and software when it comes to state-of-the-art storage.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Nov 14, 2018
RGB is the buzzword in peripherals these days, but few have found any real use for them. It's all well and good to have an RGB-enabled mouse or headset or keyboard, but aside from a few gimmicks like "imitating the sirens in Grand Theft Auto," it's still more about aesthetics than functionality.
Logitech's G560 changes that, using RGB LEDs in a way that feels transformative. If only the effect were paired with slightly better speakers.
IllumiRoom Redux
Way back in 2013 Microsoft showed off footage of a prototype for the Xbox One, the "IllumiRoom." Emerging from Microsoft Research, IllumiRoom promised to make gaming more immersive by literally immersing you in it. Using a projector synced to your actual TV, the goal was to extend the picture off the screen and onto the surrounding walls.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Nov 14, 2018
Sony's XBR X900F can handle just about any kind of material with aplomb, including HDR. But its color palette is subdued and light bleed on black backgrounds is noticeable with the Xtended Dynamic Range function engaged.
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Nov 13, 2018
Give like you give a damnImage by Rob Schultz/IDG
When it comes to finding gifts that are cool, useful, and affordable, technology can check all those boxes. And contrary to what you might think, the audience for cool tech gifts is quite broad, with options for virtually everyone on your holiday shopping list.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Nov 13, 2018
When you're looking for a good, cheap laptop, knowledge is power. Every budget machine (which we're defining as Windows laptops costing $500 or less) is the product of compromise—corners carefully cut here and there to hit a price point.
Your job is to find the one that checks off the most boxes for your needs. We'll show you what to look for by highlighting which budget laptops among the best-sellers currently listed at Amazon and Best Buy are worth buying. We haven't necessarily tested these specific machines (we'll let you know if we have), but we've seen enough similar ones to have a good idea of the pros and cons.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Nov 13, 2018
Black Friday is no longer just the day after Thanksgiving. Deals now roll out in a chaotic mass all throughout November.
Just a couple of years ago, most of those early discounts weren't any good. But that's changed.
While the deals that command headlines (those so-called "doorbusters") are typically still available on only Thanksgiving or Black Friday, some worthwhile sales are already trickling out now.
We've begun rounding up those here, so keep an eye peeled for further updates as the days tick by. We'll add new deals as we spot them. And don't forget: Holiday return windows have just expanded (many run into early January), so you can buy now and repent at leisure—assuming you can float the cash.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Nov 13, 2018
Picking a gaming laptop is a lot more fun today than it was five years ago, when a "real" gaming laptop meant 12 pounds of back-breaking hardware to haul around.
Gaming laptop cheat sheet
Our quick-hit recommendations:·
Best 17-inch gaming laptop: Alienware 17 R5 [dell.com]
Best 15-inch gaming laptop:
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Nov 13, 2018
Today's best laptops bask in the glow of Intel's 8th-gen Core CPUs, which at last bring quad-core performance to mainstream machines. The only thing missing is Oprah shouting, "And you get an 8th-gen quad-core laptop!"
There's plenty of good news with this new generation. Our favorite convertible laptop, HP's Spectre x360 13, sports a quad-core 8th-gen chip while maintaining its diminutive size. It's really the total package.
But let's be honest: You probably don't need a quad-core powerhouse, especially if the hottest application you run is Microsoft Excel. Check out our budget favorites, like the Acer Aspire E 15 and Asus ZenBook Flip, whose dual-core CPUs do just fine with mainstream fare. Or read about the Asus Chromebook Flip, a well-priced and versatile laptop for living on the web—or delving into the wide, wide world of Android apps.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Nov 13, 2018
Statistics show that a third of all internet users have suffered a security breach. Indeed, the web can be a dangerous place and, unless you take precautions, it's probably just a matter of time before you become a victim too. That's the bad news. The good news is that it's relatively easy to protect yourself with Private Internet Access VPN. Get a three-year subscription for just $77.33, marked down by 69% from the regular price of $250.20 right now.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Nov 13, 2018
Dash cams are already essential in many countries because of scam artists who try to create accidents so they can sue you. They've also proven useful for catching cars flying into buildings, or the occasional meteor, as happened in Thailand and in Russia a few years ago.
But while auto con artists aren't as common here, recording your excursions is a reasonable precaution to take—especially if you're driving professionally. And even if you're not, you may unexpectedly appreciate using it to chronicle your vacation travels—or tap into your smart home, as we've just tested an Alexa-enabled dash cam, the Garmin Speak Plus.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Nov 13, 2018
Microsoft said Tuesday that it's begun slowly releasing the postponed Windows 10 October 2018 Update once again to the general public, having put in place additional "signals" that will allow users to flag instances where data loss might occur.
Not everyone will receive the Windows 10 October 2018 Update, a minor release which was scheduled to begin shipping October 2. Since then, 5.9 million people have downloaded it, according to Microsoft. Microsoft will roll out the update, also known as version 1809, very slowly to its remaining customers. Users will first have to request the update and meet the hardware requirements and check for application compatibility. Even then, only about one percent of users will initially receive it, Microsoft said. The remaining PCs will be updated over the following weeks and months.
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Nov 13, 2018
iDrive has activated a significant discount on their Remote access software RemotePC in these days leading into Black Friday. RemotePC by iDrive is a full-featured remote access solution that lets you connect to your work, home or office computer securely from anywhere, and from any iOS or Android device. Right now, their 50 computer package is 90% off or just $6.95 for your 1st year. If you've been thinking about remote access solutions, now is a good time to consider RemotePC.
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Nov 13, 2018
Choosing a gaming keyboard is a matter of personal taste. To that point, there are a plethora of options, with a dizzying mix of features. One person could be into Cherry Browns and white backlighting. Another might favor Razer Greens and a rippling RGB glow. Gigantic wrist pads, compact shapes, numeric keypads, macro keys, volume controls.... You get the picture
Gaming keyboard cheat sheet
Our quick-hit recommendations:
BlackWidowX Tournament Edition View
Cougar Attack X3 RGB (2018) View
Fnatic Streak RGB View
Corsair K63
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Nov 13, 2018
Microsoft said Monday that it has added an LTE option to its Surface Go for an additional $130 over the basic Surface Go, bringing always-on connectivity to Microsoft's cheapest 2-in-1 tablet.
When PCWorld originally reviewed Microsoft's Surface Go tablet, the absence of an LTE option was noticeable—this was the Surface Go, after all. On Monday, Microsoft announced an 8GB RAM/128GB storage version of what it calls the Surface Go with LTE Advanced for $679, with support for AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon. (T-Mobile is also validated to work with T-Mobile SIM cards, a Microsoft representative said, though it wasn't originally listed as a carrier.) You can preorder today, with shipments arriving in the U.S. and Canada on Nov. 20.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Nov 13, 2018
Keeping an eye on your home when you're away is essential for strong security, but indoor cameras can get pricey. Today, Amazon is offering one of our favorites, the Canary View, for just $50Remove non-product link, half off its list price and one of the lowest prices we've ever seen.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Nov 13, 2018
While everyone is buzzing about Samsung's folding phone—which might cost as much as $1,700 when it launches next spring—it won't be the only Galaxy phone the releases next year. Also on tap are Samsung usual flagships, the Galaxy S10 and S10 , and they're shaping up to be quite a bit different this year.
Here's everything we (think we) know so far:
Galaxy S10: Design and display
After the Galaxy S9 stuck with the same "Infinity Display" design that was introduced with the S8, the S10 will represent a major change for the Galaxy S line. And it could be unlike anything we've ever seen.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Nov 13, 2018
You don't have to wait for Black Friday. Deals have started to drop early, but you have to know where to look. HP has activated a whopping $330 discount on its Pavilion 15z 15.6" Touchscreen Laptop, which puts it at just $369.99 with Free Shipping, but the deal ends Wednesday 11/14. This laptop comes with Windows 10 Home 64, the AMD Ryzen™ 3 processor, AMD Radeon™ Vega 3 Graphics, 8 GB memory, 1 TB HDD storage, and a 15.6" diagonal HD touch display. See the full spec, customize, and/or buy it here while the deal is active. If you haven't seen it yet, HP has posted a Black Friday deals page right here t
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Nov 13, 2018
If you've been waiting for just the right time to overhaul your PC, Newegg's offering some mighty enticing discounts on an AMD Ryzen CPU and Radeon GPU that would make solid cornerstones for a powerful gaming and productivity rig. The AMD Ryzen 7 1700X processor is $150Remove non-product link, and the MSI Radeon RX 580 Armor OC is $190
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Nov 13, 2018
Avira Antivirus Pro is back with an updated version for 2019 that promises to take up a smaller chunk of your hard drive, as well as improve overall PC performance with fewer virus defintion files (VDFs) plugging up memory. The interface hasn't really changed, however, and it's still largely a no-nonsense suite with few extras.
Antivirus Pro is well priced at $36 for a single device for new users—the standard price is about $48. For five devices you'll pay $57 (for new users), with $72 being the standard price. That's okay, but you can get far more value with premium suites like McAfee and Norton that charge around $100 to cover 10 devices.
If extras are what you're looking for in a premium A/V suite then Avira's all-inclusive Avira Prime subscription is the product you're looking for. It includes Antivirus Pro, identity protection, a system optimizer, third-party software updates, a password manager, and a VPN.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Nov 13, 2018
Intel's Optane SSD 905P is a follow-on to the Intel Optane SSD 900P we reviewed earlier this year. If you read that review, you already know about the ridiculously long claimed lifespan of Intel's Optane memory. I'm talking petabytes written rather than terabytes regular NAND SSDs claim.
The 905P is also faster than the 900P and beats the pants off of any single M.2 PCIe/NVMe drive in threaded and small file performance. The downside? It's really, really expensive.
Design and specs
Before I get to the specs, more on that price. The 960GB PCIe 3.0, x4 add-in card version of the 905P that I tested has a list price of a cool $1,300. The 1TB Samsung 970 Pro, a most worthy drive in its own right, costs less than $400.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Nov 12, 2018
We're back (at last!) with another live build, and November's project is particularly special: It's time to break free of our vault with a Fallout-themed gaming PC.
NZXT sent us one of their limited-edition H700 Nuka-Cola cases just in time for the release of Fallout 76, so we're throwing together a machine where aesthetics reign supreme as our wallet cries in a corner.
Inside will be a Core i9-9900K paired with an
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Nov 12, 2018
Affiliate Disclosure: We receive a commission for purchases made through the links on this page.
For over a decade, LifeLock has been a leading provider of comprehensive identity theft protection services. LifeLock leverages unique data, science and patented technology and provide identity threat detection, identity alerts†, and comprehensive identity restoration services. With more than 5 million members, LifeLock is the #1 most recognized brand in identity theft protection and is committed to providing its members peace of mind amid the threat of identity theft.
LifeLock protects members through a combination of state-of-the-art monitoring, notification, and remediation services. LifeLock continuously searches hundreds of millions of transactions per second to detect potential threats to a member's identity. You could miss certain identity threats by just monitoring your credit. LifeLock sees more, like your personal information on the dark web. LifeLock has Identity Protection Agents, who are ready to help answer questions 24/7. And if a member's identity is ever compromised, a dedicated Identity Restoration Specialist will take charge and help fix the problem.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Nov 12, 2018
With models based on Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Cortana, and others to come, we'll help you find just the right model for you.
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Nov 12, 2018
Apple has launched a new program to repair iPhone X screens that experience touch issues. Here's everything you need to know about it.
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Nov 12, 2018
If you're looking for ways to spice up your commute and add some smarts to your drive, Anke has some awesome ways to do it without spending too much. And today's it's even cheaper. Amazon is running a sale on Anker that bring some of its best auto accessories to all-time lows, and we've picked out our favorites:
The Roav Viva is less than $20 todayRemove non-product link, and brings hands-free voice control to your ride via built-in Alexa. You'll be able to use your voice to make calls, play music, ask for directions, control your connected smart devices, and more. It also has two USB ports to charge up your devices while you drive and comes with a magnetic vent mount to keep your phone propped securely.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Nov 12, 2018
Apple has launched an SSD repair program for the 13-inch non-Touch Bar MacBook Pro. Here's everything you need to know.
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Apr 24, 2018
An indoor/outdoor portable speaker lets you take your tunes with you wherever you wander, and right now, you can get Anker's SoundCore 2 for $30 on Amazon, down from its usual $42. This is the lowest price we've seen for this popular Bluetooth speaker.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Apr 24, 2018
As Microsoft's annual Build developer conference nears, a new report suggests that the relationship between Microsoft Windows 10 S and Windows 10 may be more flexible than before.
Microsoft said in March that Microsoft will deploy Windows 10 S as a mode of Windows 10. In a blog post at the time, Windows chief Joe Belfiore said that users would be able to buy a new "Windows 10 Home or Windows 10 Pro PC with S mode enabled." Now, Windows users may be getting a clearer look at what options they have with the Windows 10 operating system installed on new computers.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Apr 24, 2018
Samsung's EVO series has owned the title of fastest TLC-based M.2 NVMe SSD since there has been such a thing. But unfortunately for the company, that distinction went the way of the dodo with the release of the WD's game-changing Black NVMe earlier this month.
Samsung's response? The brand new 970 EVO. However, it's a case of darn close, but no cigar—the Samsung 970 EVO outperforms the WD in several tests, but falls short in sustained write performance with larger amounts of data. That said, the shortfall is liable to affect few users.
Specifications, price and warranty
The Samsung 970 EVO is your standard M.2, 2280 (22 millimeters wide, 80 mm long), NVMe (Non-Volatile Memory Express) PCIe x4 solid state drive. That x4 means it can utilize four PCIe lanes for roughly 4GBps of available bandwidth, assuming a PCIe 3.0 connection.
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Apr 24, 2018
Uneasy can be the head that wears a crown, and recently that's been Samsung's pate when it comes to fastest M.2 NVMe SSD on the planet. The company barely held onto its headgear after a challenge from the far-cheaper WD Black NVMe. A response was required.
The retort is the Samsung 970 Pro, which is indeed the fastest M.2 NVMe SSD we've ever tested. But while Samsung may rest bit easier, total relaxation isn't in the cards; the margin of victory over the WD Black NVMe was hardly overwhelming. And, considering that the 970 Pro costs quite a bit more...
Still, the best never costs less, and the Samsung 970 Pro is what you want if you want the best.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Apr 24, 2018
We loved Adobe's Photoshop Elements 2018 and its helpful automatic, guided features when we reviewed the popular photo editing suite last October. But even though it's a great program, that $100 price tag tends to keep people away. Today, however, Amazon and
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Apr 24, 2018
We loved Adobe's Photoshop Elements 2018 and its helpful automatic, guided features when we reviewed the popular photo editing suite last October. But even though it's a great program, that $100 price tag tends to keep people away. Today, however, Amazon and
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Apr 24, 2018
As a mercenary, I've learned to hate complications. "Developing situations" might be the technical term.
It could be anything. Maybe you send down your Lance, your team of four mechs, for a simple mission only for enemy reinforcements to emerge from the forest. Maybe you finish up a hard-fought battle, return to base, and your employer turns and fires a few shots into your back. Maybe the "lightly defended" outpost is hiding a mech twice your size.
The circumstances don't matter, because the outcome is the same. Complications get you killed, or at least put you out of commission so long you might as well be dead. When money is the lifeblood of a mercenary company, the two are basically synonymous.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Apr 24, 2018
Sure, luscious high-dynamic-range visuals look impressive during demos, but does HDR really matter when you're gaming? That was the primary question I wanted to answer when AMD sent me the Samsung CHG70. It's one of the first gaming-centric monitors to carry VESA's DisplayHDR 600 certification and AMD's bleeding-edge FreeSync 2 technology. It's also one of the best PC displays I've ever used.
Seven monitors currently crowd my office, offering various features and tech specs. None feels half as immersive as the Samsung CHG70 ($700 on Newegg and Samsung.com). This elegant monitor offers vivid, accurate colors at a sharp 2560x1440p resolution, augmented by FreeSync 2 technology that eliminates tearing and stuttering while simultaneously optimizing the video output while handling HDR content. Gaming on it feels like bliss. The bevy of features on offer combined with the CHG70's massive, curved 32-inch panel makes other displays start to feel, well, a bit flat. It impresses even after migrating from a 4K G-Sync setup, though a few niggling flaws keep it from perfection.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Apr 24, 2018
Everything you need to view your mobile device media on your big screen.
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Apr 24, 2018
This smart lighting kit will give your walls some dynamic visual flair.
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Apr 23, 2018
Think of AMD's new Combat Crates as PC gaming supply crates dropped behind enemy lines during the zombie apocalypse. Yup, finding a graphics card to game with has gotten that bad that AMD has had to resort to bundling up Radeon GPUs with a motherboard and Ryzen CPUs to get hardware into the hands of gamers.
The first bundle spotted on Amazon includes a first-gen Ryzen 5 1600 with cooler, an MSI B350 Tomahawk motherboard and most importantly—an MSI Radeon RX 580 Armor OC card. The entire bundle costs $599.
To read this article in full, please clic
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Apr 23, 2018
Flash drives keep cramming more and more storage capacity into their pint-sized, portable packages, and right now there are a couple of deals to get you a ton of space for very low prices.
If your devices support USB Type-C, SanDisk's Ultra Dual Drive is the deal for you. The one on offer packs a huge 256GB of capacity for $65, its lowest price ever on Amazon. It comes with two plugin ends; one is a USB Type-C connector and the other is a traditional USB, so you'll be able to transfer files between different types of devices easily at speeds up to 159MB/s. It also gives you access to the SanDisk Memory Zone app, which helps you manage device memory in the cloud. And while we haven't tried this particular flash drive, its 4.1 stars out of 5 with almost 600 Amazon user reviews shows that this is a winner.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Apr 23, 2018
Apple has launched a battery replacement program for some non-Touch Bar model of the 13-inch MacBook Pro. Here's how to find out if your model is affected and how to get it replaced.
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Apr 23, 2018
In this episode of the Full Nerd, Gordon Mah Ung, Brad Chacos, Alaina Yee, and Adam Patrick Murray talk new AMD hardware, and newly named AMD hardware.
First up: Impressions from our 2nd-gen Ryzen processor review, which hit the streets Thursday. The small tweaks and upgrades add up to a much more well-rounded chip than first-gen Ryzen. And it goes blow-for-blow with Intel's flagship Core i7-8700K too. As we said in our final verdict of the Ryzen 7 2700X, "Higher clock speeds and a massive multi-threading advantage push AMD's CPU performance to new highs. The bundled Wraith Prism cooler and overall polish push it over the top. In the battle of Intel and AMD's flagship processors, the clear winner today is the Ryzen 7 2700X."
To read this article in full, please click here
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Apr 23, 2018
Qi wireless charging is magic. You plop your Qi-compatible phone on a charging pad and wait for the device to power up. It's so much simpler than plugging in a power cord, and today you can get that easy charging for less than $10.
Amazon's selling the RavPower Standard Qi Wireless Charging Pad for $9 as its Deal of the Day. It's been hovering around $15 recently, but this is the charger's all time low.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Apr 23, 2018
TiVo Roamio OTA vs. Tablo vs. Channel Master vs. Plex: None are ideal, but one might work for you.
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Apr 23, 2018
It's safe to say that Android tablets will never be a thing. It's safer to say the Lenovo Tab 4 8 Plus and the Home Assistant Pack will never replace anyone's Echo home speaker.
It's hard to figure out Lenovo's strategy here. While Apple has carved out a nice niche with the iPad, and Chromebook makers are beginning to experiment with keyboard-less models, Android-based tablets never really caught on with fans of the platform who were content with using their larger-screened phones to get things done.
But Lenovo has nonetheless plugged away with making tablets, most recently with the Tab 4 8 Plus. Breaking down the unwieldly name, this is the fourth-generation of Lenovo's Tab line, with an 8-inch 1920 x 1200 display. Otherwise the specs are decidedly less than plus-sized:
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Apr 23, 2018
CloudBerry Backup is uniquely versatile backup program that covers just about any mixed storage scenario. Have some data on OneDrive that you want to back up to Google Drive? CloudBerry can do that. Want to back up the data from your Documents folder to BackBlaze and your home NAS box? Easy-peasy. From your PC to an external hard drive as well as Google drive? No big deal. CloudBerry's scope is truly dizzying.
Alas, the language, concepts, and sheer number of options can be dizzying for non-IT types, and you'll need to spend at least $120 to acquire disaster recovery features. The good news? There's a free version that takes care of the cloud and local backup basics.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Apr 23, 2018
There is no higher-quality video player available for Windows. It's a bit pricey, but PowerDVD Ultra is also the only software that can play Ultra HD Blu-ray discs on your computer.
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Apr 21, 2018
The first chap I meet in the Summerset Isles is an elf with a Sean Penn face who gripes about how he's missing out on a wine tasting because some local Wood Elves "offed" the vintner, because of course. This, after all, is the closed beta for The Elder Scrolls Online's Summerset expansion ($40 on Amazon), which whisks us off to the ancestral homes of the High Elves, a magical land crammed with haughty wizards, Neuschwanstein-like villas, and flora that likely would have been at home in Eden. Whatever. This dude just wants his wine, and I can appreciate that.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Apr 20, 2018
Just over a year ago, AMD flipped the PC industry on its proverbial head with revolutionary Ryzen 7 processors that democratized CPU core counts in a way never seen before.
While the 2nd-gen Ryzen 7 2700X officially unveiled today (don't call it Ryzen 2—that's coming later) doesn't quite shake things up the way the original Ryzen chips did last year, it's a solidly good sequel that, in many ways, is far better than what it replaces. And it puts the squeeze back on Intel's 8th-gen "Coffee Lake" processors, which upped their own core count to counter Ryzen's threat.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Apr 20, 2018
The Galaxy S9 and S9 might look a lot like the models they replace, but they're not exactly the same. Put them side by side and you'll see just enough of a difference in size and shape that old S8 cases won't fit. So that means you need a new one. Here are our favorites so far:
Best Shell Cases for Galaxy S9 and S9
Even if you're just looking for a simple case that adds a little protection and grippability to your Galaxy S9, you'll still want something with style. These case offer simple, sturdy protection for your S9 but still bring some flair.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Apr 20, 2018
Update 5:25 p.m.: This article has been updated with more details about 'chat.'
Ever since I became a phone reviewer, my messages have been a mess. When I switch from an iPhone to an Android one, I need to remember to turn off iMessage on all of my devices lest I miss a blue bubble that sneaks through. And any conversations I was having on my iPhone are effectively over when I switch, since nothing carries over between operating systems.
It's not much better when switching between Android phones. Android Messages doesn't sync or restore your texts between phones, no one uses Allo, and third-party apps can be wonky. I've taken to using Pulse to keep my conversations synced across numerous phones and devices, but I still need to be careful when I switch SIMs since it's not technically designed for multiple handsets. On more than one occasion, I've blown up my conversation history and needed to start over.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Apr 20, 2018
Microsoft continued its gradual push toward making the Xbox One more like PCs by announcing it will soon support compatible 120Hz displays for its game console platform.
The new additions will be added within the coming weeks, Microsoft said in a blog post on Friday. Microsoft also added a number of UI improvements, including the ability to group games. They'll all be rolled out first to members of the Xbox Insiders program, then to the general public at a later date.
Friday's announcement complements its March update, when Microsoft announced a number of improvements designed to enhance the Xbox One experience when playing on PC-caliber displays and TVs.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Apr 20, 2018
Refinement, not revolution, takes center stage in this redesign.
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Apr 20, 2018
We are well and truly in the grips of the battle royale era at this point, with rumors this week pegging a PUBG-style mode coming to both Call of Duty and Battlefield in the fall. At this point the question's not whether we see a new battle royale game at E3, it's how many we see.
That news, plus a trailer for an IKEA-builder game, a first glimpse of the next Cities: Skylines expansion, Shenmue's long-awaited arrival on PC, a Serious Sam 4 tease, and Amazon's robot-lady acting as your "personal Call of Duty coach."
This is gaming news for April 16 to 20.
Cyberpunk 2015
Humble's habitually giving away games nearly every weekend it seems, and the trend continues this week with Satellite Reign. A blend of real-time tactics game and open-world adventure, it was intended as a successor to Syndicate—the original isometric one from the ‘90s, not the 2012 reboot.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Apr 20, 2018
Amazon announced Alexa Blueprints this week, a new skill that lets you create custom responses and commands for your smart speaker. But you need an Echo to try them out. At $50, the Echo Dot is already the cheapest Alexa speaker you can buy, and right now it's even cheaper: Newegg is selling the Echo Dot for $39.99 and they're even throwing in promotional $10 gift card.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Apr 20, 2018
People often turn to boutique PC builders like Maingear, Digital Storm, Falcon Northwest, and Origin PC when they want a badass, over-the-top, liquid-cooled beast of a system, but don't want to worry about cutting tubes and tightening fittings themselves. The newest entrant in the custom desktop landscape practically wrote the book on extreme cooling. EK Water Blocks, the creator of custom liquid-cooling hardware beloved by enthusiasts around the globe, announced on Friday that it's now selling full PCs dubbed EK Fluid Gaming Systems.
The timing's no coincidence. Every EK Fluid Gaming System relies on the potent AMD 2nd-gen Ryzen CPUs released yesterday—either the Ryzen 5 2600 or Ryzen 7 2700X, more specifically. No Intel chips are on offer.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Apr 20, 2018
Whether you're an administrator, sales professional, developer, or marketer, you too can become a mover and shaker—especially if you learn your skills from Salesforce. And right now there's a terrific collection of courses on sale—and then some—in the Salesforce Trailblazer Bundle. Until now, if you bought each course separately, you'd pay about $910, but for a limited time, when you purchase all eight courses in the bundle, the price is a mere $29.99. That's 96% off retail.
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Apr 20, 2018
Intel's new 8th-gen mobile gaming processors are here, and you know what that means: A fresh generation of gaming laptops! But that's not all. As we've been preaching on PCWorld's Full Nerd podcast, new hardware means deep discounts on existing stock, and it's a stellar time to buy a 7th-gen laptop at prices previously considered ludicrous.
Case in point: Newegg is selling the Acer Nitro 5 for just $699.99. And Dell's still offering a
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Apr 20, 2018
For AMD's disruptive Ryzen processors, selecting the correct motherboard is both easier and more crucial than ever.
First, the good news: AMD's doing away with the frightful hodgepodge of motherboard platforms to unite around the AM4 socket with Ryzen CPUs, Radeon-bolstered APUs, and all other chips released in the foreseeable future—including the 2nd-gen Ryzen processors. Huzzah! But there are a wide variety of chipsets available for AM4 motherboards, and each unlocks different capabilities in your PC, from USB support to overclocking to how many graphics cards you can install.
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Feb 27, 2018
Today's a good day to get a great 34-inch G-Sync monitor. Amazon's got the curved LG 34UC89G-B on sale for $600, which is the lowest price yet for this monitor based on data from CamelCamelCamel. Usually it sells for over $700, and earlier this month it was selling for $750.
LG's monitor features a 34-inch HD PS display with a 2560x1080 resolution, a 144Hz refresh rate, and a 5-millisecond response time. It comes loaded with Nvidia G-Sync so you can synchronize refresh rates between your monitor and a compatible GeForce graphics card.
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Feb 27, 2018
You should buy premium productivity mice like the Microsoft Surface Precision Mouse and the Logitech MX Master 2S for the same reason you'd purchase an expensive bed: because your hands remain in contact with them for hours at a time.
Logitech and Microsoft represent the two of the biggest names in the PC peripheral industry, and the Surface Precision Mouse and the MX Master 2S are their flagship offerings. At just under $100 apiece, both are costly. But each justifies their premiun price with great battery life and distinctly novel approaches to interacting with multiple PCs.
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Feb 27, 2018
Buying cheap ink is a choice you should make with your eyes wide open. Third-party cartridges cost less than the manufacturer brands, which is why people buy them. A list of third-party retailers currently selling remanufactured ink cartridges is below.
But even if you ignore the dire warnings from the original printer vendors about voided warranties and subpar print quality, it can be difficult to tell whether the third-party ink you buy is any good. We can't give you any promises, but we can tell you how to shop smarter for cheap ink.
Go with a big name
One time-tested method is to shop at an established retailer (online or brick-and-mortar) that guarantees the quality of its products. Obvious examples include office supply chains that carry their own branded third-party ink cartridges, such as Staples and Office Depot. Staples.com has an Ink & Toner Finder that can tell you whether your model is covered, as does Office Depot. If you find compatible ink, you can buy it online or check for inventory at your local outlet.
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Feb 26, 2018
Is SlingTV better than Hulu, or should cord cutters subscribe to PlayStation Vue? Or YouTube TV? We compare all the TV streaming services, and one rises to the top.
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Feb 26, 2018
This is best streaming bundle (for those who can get it).
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Feb 26, 2018
No, Samsung hasn't run out of ideas. The Galaxy S9 may be visually indistinguishable from the Galaxy S8, but there's no reason to think the company has lost its innovation edge. Like Apple, Samsung has been known to stick with the same phone design for at least two generations, and the Galaxy S8 was so far ahead of the field, the S9 will still look and feel very much like a fresh 2018 handset even after all the other flagships make their appearance.
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Feb 26, 2018
Today's companies produce a staggering amount of data, and, as they grow, so too do their cloud infrastructure needs. Amazon Web Services (AWS) is a cloud service platform that offers businesses everything from storage to computing power so they can better scale as they expand. Therefore, certified AWS architects are in high demand and can earn up to six figures for their skills. The Amazon Web Services Certification Training Mega Bundle can help you validate your AWS knowledge and join their ranks, and it's on sale for over 90% off.
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Feb 26, 2018
Samsung newest flagship phone, the Galaxy S9 , brings better specs, an improved camera, and an Animoji competitor. So how does it stack up to Apple's latest?
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Feb 26, 2018
If you have quality HDMI cables, they'll likely pass muster for the new HDMI 2.1 standard, as might some of your gear.
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Feb 26, 2018
The Xperia XZ2 might be the first Sony Android phone that turns heads since the Xperia Z. Here I was, holding a 5.7-inch 18:9 phone with slim bezels and a curved, all-glass design. If it wasn't for the name on on the front, I never would have guessed it was a Sony phone, and to be honest, I didn't want to put it down.
But the very best thing about the Xperia XZ2 is on the back of the phone. I'm not talking about the camera—which is still a single lens rather than the flagship-standard dual setup. I'm talking about something that's taken for granted on nearly every other 2018 smartphone: a fingerprint sensor. For the first time, a Sony flagship phone will ship with a real-deal fingerprint sensor (rather than a weird side-scanning one). And it'll work in the U.S.
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Feb 26, 2018
Sony has once again brought a brand new Xperia flagship phone to Mobile World Congress, but there's a lot that's different about this year's model: It has a new design, an 18:9 screen, and a fingerprint sensor that will work in the United States.
Michael Simon/IDG
Yes, that's actually a fingerprint sensor.
The Xperia XZ2 is technically a follow-up to the XZ1 that launched late last summer, but it's also a successor to the Xperia XZ Premium phone Sony launched at MWC 2017. But where those phones had stale 16:9 screens and outdated designs, the XZ2 fully embraces the modern trends, with a 5.7-inch Full HD (1920x1080) 18:9 screen, slim-bezel all-glass design, and a rear fingerprint sensor. With a glass back, a flagship Xperia phone finally supports Qi wireless charging.
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Feb 25, 2018
Huawei's Matebook X Pro is what happens when designers boil down Microsoft's Surface Book line to its essentials, sprinkling a bit of paranoia on top for extra flavor.
Huawei's flagship notebook improves upon the Huawei Matebook X that the company launched last year. Now with a 3,000x2,000-pixel display that takes after the Surface Book line, the 13.9-inch notebook will be sold in three configurations, with prices beginning at 1,499 Euros ($1,845 USD). Huawei will ship it to North America this spring, the company said.
Three features distinguish the Matebook X Pro. First, the company is offering a discrete -graphics options within a 0.57-inch (14.6 mm) form factor—not ultrabook thin, but not as chunky as the 0.9-inch thick Surface Book 2, either. Huawei also achieved a 91-percent screen-to-body ratio, which helps pare down the bezel to create something that looks close to an edge-to-edge display. But that design feature also comes at a cost: Huawei removed the webcam and placed it underneath a function key on the keyboard.
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Feb 25, 2018
With the Samsung DeX Pad, the company has improved its innovative dock that allows you to use your premium Samsung Galaxy phone as a desktop computer. While the makeover coincides with the launch of the Galaxy S9 and S9 , the DeX Pad is backwards-compatible with Galaxy S8, S8 and Note 8—but with a major caveat exlained below.
The DeX refresh, combined with new software, strengthens Samsung's argument that travelers can leave their laptop or tablet at home, and work entirely off their smartphone by connecting it to a monitor via the dock's HDMI port.
This new DeX version positions the phone flat on your desktop, as opposed to standing at an upright angle as in the original dock. With the phone flat, the screen can be used as a trackpad, negating the need for a mouse. It appeared to work well during Samsung's demo, and it's a clever solution that probably had a few Samsung engineers wondering, "Why didn't we think of this approach the first time around?"
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Feb 25, 2018
Ten years ago, I wouldn't be caught dead using emojis. Now, I probably text or Slack more than 10 a day. Enter the Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9 , which create the world's most technologically advanced emojis. They're personalized emojis in my own image. They doppelgang the whiskers on my face. Samsung's emojis are way, way better than Apple's Animoji—but is that saying much?
Along with a Dual Aperture camera and a clever new Super Slow-motion video mode, Samsung is pinning its S9/S9 innovation story on so-called AR Emoji. Yes, these three features move the smartphone ball forward. And the new S series introduces a few other upgrades too. But in sum total, the Galaxy S9 experience feels quietly iterative.
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Feb 25, 2018
Samsung just announced its first dual-aperture smartphone camera—and our very early testing shows that the Galaxy S9's wider f/1.5 aperture does help in low-light conditions, but the f/2.4 setting is no slouch either in capturing detail in the very same lighting.
Head on over to your high-resolution desktop display, and click (and expand!) the video above for the full story. The Histogram at the top right of the screen clearly indicates the aperture mode of each photo we review.
Below we share our testing approach, as well as some top-line first impressions.
How we tested
All of the photos in the video were taken during a 90-minute Galaxy S9/S9 demo last week. For our Last Cam Standing series, we always compare the latest smartphone cameras to our current camera winner (in this case, the Huawei Mate 10 Pro), but Samsung didn't allow us to take comparison shots with other phones. We even had to put stickers over the cameras of our personal smartphones (to prevent press leaks, and not necessarily to deny comparative testing).
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Feb 25, 2018
The Galaxy S9 and S9 may have the same size, shape, and screen as the Galaxy S8 and S8 they replace, but don't be fooled. Inside, Samsung has completely retooled its flagship phones where it counts: in the processor, the camera, and even its emoji.
In a first for the smartphone industry, Samsung is introducing a dual-aperture camera tuned for low-light situations, and chasing Apple's Animoji, the company has introduced augmented-reality-tooled emoji of its own.
You can read our first hands-on impressions of the Galaxy S9 here. We also conducted some early Galaxy S9 camera tests.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Feb 25, 2018
At last year's Mobile World Congress, HMD Global whipped the geek crowd into a frenzy with a fun reboot of the Nokia 3310, complete with bright colors, hard keys, and candy bar nostalgia. They've done it again at MWC 2018 with the 8110, but this time around the game might be a little played out.
Popularized by Keeanu Reeves' character in The Matrix, the 8810 was a weird phone for 1999 and it's even weirder in 2018. On the outside, the 8110 looks very much like that 20-year-old phone, with a slider mechanism that pulls down to reveal a full set of keys. It's just as long, cumbersome and clunky as it was back then, and the specs haven't been upgraded all that much either:
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Feb 25, 2018
LG is starting to think different about phone releases. If you were hoping for a new LG flagship phone at Mobile World Congress, you got your wish. Well, sort of. Instead of the G7, LG has launched the V30S ThinQ, which freshens the V30 with smarts, not specs.
The V30S has the same display, chip, battery, and camera as the V30, but bumps the RAM to 6GB and the storage to 128GB. It also comes in two new colors, Platinum Gray and Moroccan Blue. But those minor changes do not a new model make. To justify the name, LG has given the V30 some new smarts thanks to an infusion of AI.
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Feb 24, 2018
Do you know what a "Hippodamian Grid Plan" is? I didn't until I played Assassin's Creed: Origins's new Discovery Tour mode.
Turns out Hippodamus of Miletus is known as "the father of European urban planning," a Greek born in 498 B.C.E. who argued that cities should be built rationally (a.k.a. on grids) instead of devolving into haphazard labyrinths. Most important: His ideas were adopted by Deinokrates, principle planner for the city of Alexandria.
And the rest, as they say, is history.
Walk like an Egyptian
I've been waiting for Assassin's Creed: Origins's "Discovery Tour" mode ever since Ubisoft showed it off to us last year. The gist: Ubisoft took the world from Origins, the sprawling recreation of Ptolemaic Egypt that played host to Bayek's adventures last year, and stripped most of the "game" elements out of it. There are no missions here, no throats to slit, no Phylakes to fend off.
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Feb 23, 2018
The Papers Please movie finished up its paperwork and nabbed a release date, Overwatch had puppies play Capture the Flag, Warcraft III is hosting a tournament, you'll soon (probably) be able to buy Geralt's bathtub figurine, and Final Fantasy XV is doing a Half-Life crossover.
Yes, it's certainly been a weird week in video game news. Let's recap February 19 to 23.
Humble Classics
As far as bang-for-your-buck goes, the new Humble Classics Return Bundle (that's a mouthful) might be the best the company's ever featured. It's full of those isometric CRPGs that suck up dozens and dozens of hours of your time, plus a few strategy and adventure games to boot.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Feb 23, 2018
Today's a good day to get a deal on a powerful Intel processor: Walmart has the Intel Core i7-8700K for $313. That's $26 cheaper than the retailer's competition, and one of the lowest non-coupon prices we've seen yet.
The Core i7-8700K is part of Intel's newest line of CPUs that rolled out in late 2017. These eight-generation "Coffee Lake" chips were a notable upgrade over previous generations, due to an increase in core count: While Kaby Lake (and earlier) Core processors offered two or four cores, Coffee Lake parts offer four or six cores. Thanks AMD.
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Feb 23, 2018
Now's a great time to snag EA games on the cheap. The gaming giant is running a massive "Publisher sale" on its Origin storefront and Amazon through March 6, with more than 50 games and DLC packs discounted heavily. Let's look at some of the highlights.
Mass Effect: Andromeda is $10. Our resident games critic didn't think it was a particularly great game, but still called it "eminently playable," and you'll get a lot of hours out of your tenner. If you missed the legendary original series, you can dip your toe in the Mass Effect waters with the Mass Effect Trilogy pack for $7.49.
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Feb 23, 2018
Google Assistant had its coming out party at Mobile World Congress 2017 with the announcement that it was expanding beyond Google's own Pixel phones, and now it's ready to take on the world. Literally. Google has announced it will be expanding Assistant to nearly two dozen more languages this year as it expands its influence to some "95 percent of all eligible Android phones worldwide."
Google Assistant already speaks English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, and Portuguese (Brazil), but its linguist capabilities will be greatly expanded over the next 10 months as Google plans to add support for more than 30 languages. First up will be Danish, Dutch, Hindi, Indonesian, Norwegian, Swedish and Thai, all of which should arrive by summer.
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Feb 23, 2018
A slick mobile app powers both a solid security offering and an impressive locator system.
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Feb 23, 2018
The new phones are coming! Mobile World Congress is nearly upon us, and soon we'll be feasting our eyes on the latest and greatest Android has to offer. So whether you're attending the big show or just checking out the keynote streams online, here's everything we expect (and hope) to see:
MWC 2018: Samsung
Venture Beat
Renders of the Galaxy S9 and S9 have leaked in all their glory.
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Feb 23, 2018
"Games as a Service" has become a buzzword in recent months, especially in the wake of November's Star Wars Battlefront II lootbox controversy. The lootbox association has also tainted the term, tying it inextricably to what's at best seen as a "necessary evil" in the industry.
But the basic idea behind Games as a Service is a net positive in theory: The games you like get expanded upon after release. Not just one big expansion or a handful of smaller DLCs, but near-constant support for years at a time. It's what people liked about MMOs, but for all genres—the silver lining to this digital future, with its Day One patches and all the other stuff players like to grumble about.
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Feb 23, 2018
Spoiler alert: We've never tested a gaming laptop as all-around powerful as the Origin PC EON17-X.
This big, badass notebook pushes the pedal to the metal with the most potent hardware available, and then Origin PC cranks things to 11 by overclocking both the full-fat GeForce GTX 1080 and the Core i7-8700K processor. Yes, this laptop rocks a desktop processor, and not just any desktop processor—it's the fastest one currently available. With 6 cores and 12 threads, the EON17-X demolishes CPU benchmarks. It blazes through triple-A games. Hell, it might be able to literally crush its slim, trim Nvidia Max-Q competition.
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Feb 22, 2018
The Logitech Craft keyboard is what happens when a keyboard engineer glimpses Microsoft's Surface Dial hockey-puck peripheral and decides: We can do that, too. But if you want to spend $200 for just a keyboard, don't bother: The only way the Craft makes sense is if you see value in its Surface-Dial-like navigation knob that also integrates with Logitech's PC-spanning Logitech Flow software.
Aesthetically, there's room for improvement. The Craft weighs a ponderous 2.08 pounds, anchored by a broad metal bar that runs across the top of the keyboard and houses the 1,500mAh battery, plus the electronics driving the crown. You can't adjust the Craft's slope. And personally, I found the Craft's scalloped keys to have a shallower travel than I'd like.
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Feb 22, 2018
Operating system patches alone can protect against the nasty Meltdown flaw affecting Intel processors, but fixing Spectre—Meltdown's nasty sibling, which affects all CPUs—requires firmware updates for your hardware. Those firmware fixes are finally starting to appear after Intel's first round of Spectre patches were yanked for causing system instability and potential data loss. Stable patches for 6th-gen Intel Skylake CPUs and newer chips are now available, and both Intel and AMD are working on CPU microcode updates for other chips.
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