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 Anthropic takes the fight to OpenAI on Wednesday with a new iOS app for itspowerful Claude AI. The app will put Claude into more hands and try to take some space in the AI marketplace that ChatGPT already dominates.
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Amazon is selling the K70 Core, with the included wrist rest that usually demands an extra $10, for just $79.99. That's about the best deal you can find for a full-sized gaming keyboard with great switches and some interior sound dampening for satisfying typing. Naturally it includes RGB lighting and custom software compatibility, too.
Corsair's custom MLX Red (linear and speedy) switches really are the star here, but be aware that as a budget model the K70 Core doesn't let you swap them out. The fixed USB cable is also a bit of a bummer, making it harder to organize your cables quickly. That said, this really is the best deal you're going to find for a large gaming board from a major supplier.
Amazon says it's a "limited time deal," so who knows how long it'll stick around. Hop on it fast if you're interested.
Get the Corsair K70 Core keyboard with wrist rest for just $80
Keyboards
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Sony just announced an interesting feature coming to the PS5 that should streamline the whole process of wrangling people into a multiplayer game. The new tool will let you invite people into a game even when they aren't at a console or using the PlayStation app. The system generates a link, via the app, that can be shared anywhere online. When the recipient clicks the link, they will be able to hop into a multiplayer session. You don't even have to be friends. Easy peasy. That sure beats having to send out a lengthy numerical code (side-eyes Nintendo.)
The obvious use case scenario here? You meet some people online via social media and want to jump into a game quickly, without having to pass usernames back and forth. Sony says you'll be able to "start playing together right away." The tool will also generate a QR code along with the link, which is something PS5 owners are already familiar with when it comes to multiplayer games.
There are some caveats. This feature isn't coming until later in the year and it's only for PS5 games. Sony also warns that some titles may require an update before everything works seamlessly. Of course, most PS5 games require a PlayStation Plus subscription to use multiplayer, and those subscriptions went up in price last year.
Sony has even developed a custom live widget for multiplayer invites in Discord. When you share a link via Discord, the widget automatically refreshes to show whether or not a multiplayer session is active or not, so yo
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With many free VPNs you'll encounter a lot of restrictions such as speed constraints, bandwidth caps, or a limited country network. These restrictions can add up, making the experience of using a free VPN feel pointless. That's why it's important that you choose the right free VPN service based on your own needs.
While we advise that you opt for a premium VPN, such as those in our roundup of the best VPNs, we understand that sometimes you just need quick and easy basic protection without having to pay for yet another service. Therefore we've curated a list of the best free VPNs around. We lay out any restrictions they may impose and what activities they're best used for—streaming, torrenting, browsing, etc. Following our recommendations you can read about what to look for in a free VPN and how we test.
Updated May 1, 2024: Check out our latest review of
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The bad news? It's the beginning of the month, so rent is due. The good news? Sony just revealed the PlayStation Plus games lineup for May, and there are some serious standouts. The lineup includes Ghostrunner 2, Tunic, Destiny 2: Lightfall and EA Sports FC 24. Most of these games are available for both PS4 and PS5, except Ghostrunner 2 which is only for PS5 players.
So let's start with Ghostrunner 2. It's a brutally difficult, yet consistently engaging, first-person slasher with a fast-paced traversal mechanic that recalls games like Mirror's Edge. You will die often, our reviewer died 164 times on one level, and you are likely to love every second of it. Perishing isn't that big of a deal, as there are checkpoints just about everywhere and you can respawn instantly with the press of a button. It's also a blast, offering a "satisfying gameplay loop that's hard to walk away from."
Tunic is somehow both critically-acclaimed and underrated. This top-down isometric adventure
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Starfield, the excellent Digipick puzzle game surrounded by 80 hours of sci-fi mediocrity, is getting a performance update on Xbox Series X that unlocks frame rates above 30 fps. Starfield's May update adds the option to target 30 fps, 40 fps, 60 fps or an uncapped frame rate — for displays that support VRR running at 120hz. Displays without VRR will have the choice of 30 fps or 60 fps.
The May update also includes the ability to prioritize visuals or performance at each frame rate target. Visuals mode means the game will do its best to maintain a high resolution and full detail in lighting, special effects and NPCs, while performance lowers the resolution and clarity of those same details. Of course, both modes adjust the game's base resolution alongside heavy on-screen action.
Bethesda recommends performance mode when playing at 60 fps and above. For Xbox Series X players with 120hz VRR displays, Starfield's settings now default to 40 fps, prioritizing visuals.
The May 1 display updates bring the Xbox Series X version of Starfield closer to its PC counterpart in terms of customization options. The Xbox Series S edition remains capped at 30 fps. This is the version I played when I reviewed Starfield last year, and while a frame rate upgrade won't make the game less bland, its combat scenes would definitely benefit from a boost to 40 fps, at least. It's a shame that the most popular Xbox Series console isn't seeing any frame rate love in today's update.
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Why you should trust us: It's in our name. PCWorld prides itself on laptop experience and expertise. We've been covering PCs since 1983, and we now review more than 70 laptops every year. All of the picks below have been personally tested and vetted by our experts, who've applied not only performance benchmarks but rigorous usability standards. We're also committed to reviewing PC laptops at every price point to help you find a machine that matches your budget.
Looking for sweet discounts? Check out our regularly updated roundup of the best laptop deals available right now.
Updated May 1, 2024: We added the Acer Swift Go 14 as an alternative option to the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus (2024) in our best overall laptop category. Not only is it about $200 cheaper than our top pick, but it also offers good overall performance and long battery life. We've also updated our list of recent laptop reviews and added the new "at a glance" list below.
The best laptops at a glance
Dell Inspiron 14 Plus (2024) (Best overall),
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Another day, another company tests Apple's resolve. This time, it's TikTok allegedly violating the company's rules for apps, with the video platform seemingly allowing some users to purchase its coins directly from its website. TikTok has apparently given some iOS users the option to "Try recharging on tiktok.com to avoid in-app service fees" — namely Apple's 30 percent commission on purchases.
According to photos shared on X (formerly Twitter) by David Tesler, co-founder of the app Sendit, TikTok is prompting users to save around 25 percent when purchasing coins (used to tip creators) thanks to lower third-party service fees. They can then use Apple Pay, PayPal or a credit or debit card to complete their transaction. It's unclear why only some users have access to this circumnavigation; one hypothesis is the feature was turned on for individuals who previously purchased a large number of coins.
Why? It looks like they're circumventing apple fee by directing users to purchase coins via external payment methods pic.twitter.com/VG8ihvsRmv
— David Tesler (@getdavenow) April 30, 2024
Apple notably kicked Fortnite off its app store in 2020 after Epic Games introduced discounts on the game's currency for anyone who directly purchased it. The incident set off a multi-year legal battle, with
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At PCWorld, we've had to adjust to remote work just like the rest of the world. Our staff has spent countless hours testing and reviewing hardware, which means we've been lucky enough to find the best gear and accessories available. Below you'll find our favorite work-from-home essentials.
Look sharp during Zoom meetings: Logitech C920e Business Webcam
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 Microsoft Edge and Google Chrome are already being drowned in new AI features, so we suppose it was inevitable that Apple would also try to shove some AI activities into its default browser. With Apple reportedly jumping on the AI hype train for iOS 18 (though getting on at the caboose end rather than the passenger…
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