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Jul 07, 2022
Price When Reviewed$280 for 2TB
Best Prices Today: Teamgroup Cardea A440 Pro NVMe SSD (2TB)
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Jul 07, 2022
Never sharing your devices with anyone and always logging out whenever you're done chatting still won't fully cover you, either. Even deleting message threads isn't a guarantee that what you say will stay between you and the other party.
For the most privacy possible in Messenger, you want end-to-end encrypted (E2EE) conversations. Starting at a device level (i.e., one end of the chat), the conversation is locked with a set of keys. Only you and whomever else is in your convo knows what they are. (More specifically, your devices do.) As the messages transmit back and forth between everyone, they remain locked down.
On Facebook, end-to-end encryption is only available via Secret Conversations, which you have to start independently of any existing message threads or groups you're already part of. If you're part of a Secret Conversation, it'll bear the label "End-to-end encrypted."
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Jul 07, 2022
Ultiself is an AI powered app that determines your best habits and then creates a personalized daily routine to help you become the best person you can be. With it, you can increase your productivity by as much as ten times, you'll feel more focused, and improve your confidence too.
To get started, you just purchase and install the app on your compatible mobile device. Then select the routines you want to improve upon, take a couple of minutes a day to track your habits, and the app will create a personalized plan that's designed to work especially for you.
It's kind of like having a personal coach at your disposal 24/7. Ultiself has received impressive scores of
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Jul 06, 2022
The list of benefits has grown considerably since the program's launch, so we've highlighted the best of the bunch, the ones that make Amazon Prime worth having. Some of these you'll already know, but the others you're likely not taking advantage of.
The top Amazon Prime benefits
Free expedited shipping
Expedited shipping is included for free with a Amazon Prime subscription, with no minimum purchase for most orders.
Amazon Prime's upgraded shipping is the feature that started it all. These days, you get free two-day delivery on most items, plus free one-day delivery on over 10 million items, with no minimum purchase. In select areas, free same-day delivery on over 3 million items for qualifying orders over $35 is available as well.
Free shipping benefits also extend to several other businesses Amazon owns:
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Jul 06, 2022
The list of benefits has grown considerably since the program's launch, so we've highlighted the best of the bunch, the ones that make Amazon Prime worth having. Some of these you'll already know, but the others you're likely not taking advantage of.
The top Amazon Prime benefits
Free expedited shipping
Expedited shipping is included for free with a Amazon Prime subscription, with no minimum purchase for most orders.
Amazon Prime's upgraded shipping is the feature that started it all. These days, you get free two-day delivery on most items, plus free one-day delivery on over 10 million items, with no minimum purchase. In select areas, free same-day delivery on over 3 million items for qualifying orders over $35 is available as well.
Free shipping benefits also extend to several other businesses Amazon owns:
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Jul 06, 2022
To activate the add-on service, you'll need to head to amazon.com/grubhub. In addition to free deliveries for most orders, Prime members will also get periodic discounts and free food offers from GrubHub. Note that one year after activation you'll be automatically enrolled in the $9.99 a month service, and that the service will end if you prematurely cancel Amazon Prime.
Tech lovers have a particular reason to sign up for Prime at the moment: Amazon's Prime Day deal extravaganza is next week, July 12th and 13th. (Yes, Prime Day is two days, deal with it.) Be sure to check out PCWorld's early coverage of the lead-up deals, and we'll have the be
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Jul 06, 2022
While official Prime Day is still a week away, early deals can already be found on Amazon. Keep this page bookmarked as we will add the best of Amazon's tech-related Prime Day deals to this page on a regular basis between now and the end of the event.
Best Amazon Prime Day deals 2022
SkyTech Shadow 3.0 Gaming Computer
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From: Amazon
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Jul 06, 2022
Many SSDs come in a 2.5-inch form factor and connect to your PC via the same SATA port used by a traditional hard drive. But tiny NVMe (Non-Volatile Memory Express) "gumstick" SSDs that fit in an M.2 connection on a modern motherboard are becoming increasingly common, along with blazing-fast PCIe 4.0 solid-state drives for compatible PCs, and you'll even find SSDs that sit on a PCIe adapter and slot into your motherboard like a graphics card or sound card. Picking the perfect SSD isn't as simple as it used to be, though excellent new drives like the SK Hynix Platinum P41 are certainly trying to achieve no-brainer upgrade status.
That's the purpose of this guide. We've tested numerous drives to find the best SSDs for any use case, and offer our top picks below. In addition to that we give you useful information on what to look for in an SSD so you can be a more knowledgable shopper. Quick note: This roundup only covers internal solid-state drives. Check out PCWorld's guide to
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Jul 06, 2022
Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 22621.290 and 22622.290 for the Beta Channel is nothing that special. In fact, the new builds just bring the AI-driven "suggested actions" of May's Dev Channel release into the Beta Channel, which is a step removed from the Release Preview Channel.
What Dev Channel testers know, however, are that the features that Microsoft "releases" in the Dev Channel aren't always available to those who download them. Usually, Microsoft splits the release up into two groups, only one of which actually gets to test the new features. And you never know which group you'll end up in. Now that split nature is coming to Windows 11 beta build as well, but with signposts.
The two new releases signal the "haves" and the "have-nots." Build 22622.290 indicates that you'll receive the new features, and Build 22621.290 signals that you will not. The key, as our highlighting indicates, is the fifth digit: "2" means that you'll have access to the new features. If you don't have access to the new features, however, Microsoft is also saying that you can download the build that does, by checking for updates within the Windows Update section of the Settings menu.
There's only one problem. Microsoft is also reserving the right to wait to turn on the new features, even in the
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Jul 06, 2022
When we reviewed a slightly different configuration of this model, we gave it a sterling 4.5 star rating and an Editor's Choice award. We loved the blazing fast CPU and GPU performance and its compact form factor. It weighs about three and a half pounds, which is surprisingly light for a gaming laptop. The backlighting on the keyboard is less-than-stellar, but that's a super minor nitpick.
The Zephyrus G14, specifically this one at Best Buy, comes packing an AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS CPU and an AMD Radeon RX 6700S GPU—a very capable duo ready to blow through games and productivity workloads alike. It has 16GB of RAM and a huge 1TB of ultra-fast PCIe 4.0 SSD storage. The 14-inch display has a resolution of 2560×1600 and a maximum refresh rate of 120Hz. The display also tops out at 500 nits, which is pretty darn bright.
Overall, this is a fantastic gaming laptop that promises exceptional performance, and today you can get it for a lot less than usual.
[
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Jul 06, 2022
The LG monitor has a resolution of 1920×1080, a maximum refresh rate of 75Hz, and a five millisecond response time. It's an LCD panel with an aspect ratio of 16:9 and the viewing angle is 178-degrees. This monitor is also packing FreeSync (AMD Adaptive Sync) as well, which helps reduce any screen tearing or annoying stuttering when paired with a compatible Radeon or GeForce graphics card. For ports, you've got one VGA and two HDMI.
If you've been looking for a secondary monitor or something for a smaller space, then this LG is definitely worth picking up at this price.
[Today's deal: LG 24-inch LED FHS FreeSync monitor at Best Buy]
Monitors
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Jul 06, 2022
It's always better to be proactive instead of reactive. Don't wait until you get hacked to care about your privacy and security. Take steps to protect yourself now.
Here are eight simple precautions you can take to remain safe and secure from would-be hackers.
Use a passcode lock or Face or Touch ID
When people think of getting hacked, the first thing that comes to mind is someone in a remote location executing a bunch of code to gain access to your device. This may sometimes be true, but the reality can sometimes be much more boring than that. Hacking simply means someone gains unauthorized access to data on your device. This means that if someone gets physical access to your phone and accesses your data without your consent, then by defini
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Jul 06, 2022
The eyes have it
The best reason to upgrade your monitor is the most obvious: it will look much, much better.
Resolution is the most noticeable improvement. Asus introduced the first 4K monitor in 2013 at a jaw-dropping $5,000 price tag. Since then, pricing has slowly come down, making it possible to snag a good 4K monitor, like the Dell S2721QS, for about $300 to $400 when you find a nice sale.
The improved resolution makes everything from the Windows desktop to 3D games look crisp and fresh. Small fonts are easy to read and, thanks to improvements in Windows' scaling options, it's now easy to find a comfortable UI scale even on high-resolution displays.
And there's more to it than 4K. The general increase in resolution has slashed the price of monitors with 2,560 x 1,440 resolution, which ar
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Jul 06, 2022
It's always better to be proactive instead of reactive. Don't wait until you get hacked to care about your privacy and security. Take steps to protect yourself now.
Here are several tips you should always carry with you in order to remain safe and secure from would-be hackers.
Use a passcode lock or Face or Touch ID
When people think of getting hacked, the first thing that comes to mind is someone in a remote location executing a bunch of code to gain access to your device. This may sometimes be true, but the reality can sometimes be much more boring than that. Hacking simply means someone gains unauthorized access to data on your device. This means that if someone gets physical access to your phone and accesses your data without your consen
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Jul 06, 2022
PlayStation Plus Essential provides members access to tons of new games every month. They'll enjoy the ability to download exclusive DLC content, play their favorite titles against others online, and store up to 100GB of game data in the cloud too. And they'll get exclusive discounts on select titles, add-ons, and pre-orders so that members can save money over the course of their membership.
Depending on how much you use it, a PlayStation Plus Essential: 12-Month Subscription could quickly pay for itself. To get it, just go to the offer page, click Add to Cart, and complete your purchase. Then set it up on your PS3, PS4, or PS5 and enjoy all your membership benefits.
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Jul 05, 2022
Keyboard shortcuts tied to new Windows 11 features
Bringing up Snap allows you to choose between six layouts for arranging your windows.
PCWorld
These keyboard commands give you instant access to a few of Windows 11's brand-new features, like widgets. Our pick for the standout winner? Instant access to Snap, which lets you pick from six layouts when arranging your app windows next to one another.
It's a tangible upgrade from Windows 10, which required the installation of PowerToys for those kinds of snap layouts in FancyZones. (You'll still need to install PowerToys for custom layouts in Window
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Jul 05, 2022
It would be nice if Microsoft itself provided Windows users with something like Apple's Time Machine: an effective, set-it-and-forget-it, total system recovery and backup solution that requires little interaction or thought on the user's part.
Instead, Microsoft delivers a mishmash of restore points, recovery discs, file backup, and even the un-retired System Backup (Windows 7), which was probably originally put out to pasture for its propensity to choke on dissimilar hardware. Online backup services are another option, but desktop clients tend to offer far more flexibility. Read on for our top picks. Then head to the bottom of this article for more info about what to look for in a Windows backup program.
Windows users are fortunate to have a number of excellent backup options available to choose from. Case in point is our recent review of
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Jul 05, 2022
The Logitech Brio has a resolution of 3840×2160 (aka 4K). That's a massive improvement over most built-in webcams, which usually top out at 720p. In other words, this webcam is capable of producing an incredibly sharp and color accurate picture. The Brio also has a high frame rate of 90 frames per second, which means you shouldn't experience much stuttering during video calls. Other features include a physical privacy shade, three field of view presets, dual omni-directional mics for noise cancellation, and Windows Hello integration for biometric logins. If you work from home and want to look your best on Zoom calls, the Brio is a fantastic option, and today it's going for a great price.
[Today's deal: Get the Logitech Brio 4K webcam at Amazon]
Webcams
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Jul 05, 2022
The Flex 5 features an AMD Ryzen 5 5500U CPU, integrated Radeon graphics, 16GB of RAM, and 256GB of SSD storage. The 14-inch LCD display has a resolution of 1920×1080 and is touch-enabled. This laptop should be able to handle everyday tasks like browsing the web, checking e-mail, writing papers, working on presentations, and so on. It may even be capable of some lightweight gaming. However, the main selling point is the 2-in-1 form factor. You can prop it up like a tent for sharing information or rotate the screen around and use it like a tablet. Our only nitpick is that it's a bit heavy at five pounds. It's not the most portable machine in the world, but if that doesn't bother you, then it's well worth considering.
[Today's deal: Lenovo Flex 5 laptop at Amazon]
Laptops
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Jul 05, 2022
Amazon's summer sales extravaganza is open to Prime members and will last for 48 hours, beginning on July 12th, 2022. Not a Prime member? Check out our guide for how to get Amazon Prime for free. In addition, you can plan for some great savings by snagging Prime Day lightning deals. We also have a comprehensive primer on absolutely everything you should know about Prime Day 2022.
In recent years, other retailers have joined in on the fun and will also be offering their own deals. There are going to be a slew of dash cams for sale and it might seem overwhelming. But we have tested countless dash cams and we'll help highlight the best deals for you. So if you're shopping for the latest 4K ultra-high-def cam or just something to discreetly clip onto your rearview mirror, we're here for you.
Prime Day dash cam deals: What to expect
Last year, we saw some excellent discounts on a lot of our favor
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Jul 05, 2022
In fact, expect to see discounts roll out before the start of Amazon Prime Day. Historically, Walmart likes to start early and go longer. Case in point: Its current "4th of July" deals, which are similar to Amazon's own early Prime Day deals under a different name. These sales could bode well for the main event, too. Word on the street is that stores have an excess inventory of goods right now, so offloading them could be a goal.
Below is the first set of deals to catch our eye, but more will definitely come. Be sure to also check out Amazon's best bargains, plus how to get Amazon Prime for free. Reading up on how to snag Prime Day lightning deals and
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Jul 05, 2022
Price When Reviewed$2,299
Best Prices Today: Dell XPS 15 9520
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Jul 05, 2022
That competition often dangles unique features to tempt users into switching, but Opera long ago caught my attention with the sheer number of goodies stuffed into its browser. In fact, I abandoned Chrome for years because of Opera. Flexibility, efficiency, privacy—the creators seemed to know exactly what I wanted.
Even though I've since started using Chrome again, Opera still holds a powerful place in my heart. I still use it daily as part of my multi-browser habits, both on desktop and mobile. Why? Here are the top 10 reasons—and I still left a few off the list to keep this article from spiraling out of control. (For other alternatives, check out our guides to killer Firefox, Edge, and Vivaldi features that might lure you away from Chrome.)
Mouse gestures
If you are literal about following directions like me, be aware those that say to move one dir
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Jul 05, 2022
The Orbit 110 full HD dashcam is sleek, compact, and lightweight. It records video in crystal clear 1080p resolution, has a super-wide 120° viewing angle to see more of the road, and has a CMOS sensor, so you'll get clear video even in low light situations. Just install it using the provided windshield suction mount, and you're ready to go.
If the Orbit 110's G-sensor recognizes a sudden stop, the camera grabs the video files from that time frame. Then, it puts them in storage so you can easily find them later, which is great if you need video evidence to prove your side of the story to the police or insurance adjusters. And since it comes with an 8GB microSD card, you'll have a lot of file space to work with.
Want to protect yourself after an accident? The
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Jul 04, 2022
While paid password managers offer nice extras, a free password manager still protects you from the risks of using weak passwords (or worse, using the same one everywhere). You just have to remember one password to access a single, secure place where all your other passwords are stored.
And because free password managers come in different flavors and styles, you should be able to find one that fits your lifestyle. Even Google's password manager, built into Chrome and Android, can soon double as a no-cost option after receiving some killer upgrades over the summer months. Down the road, you can always upgrade to a paid service if your needs grow.
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Jul 04, 2022
Price When Reviewed59.99
Best Prices Today: HyperX Pulsefire Haste Wireless
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Jul 03, 2022
This collection offers six courses that introduce students to the skills to defend against hackers. They'll learn today's best practices, discover how to protect a computer network, and find out what to do when an incursion occurs. And, perhaps best of all, every course is classified as beginner-friendly, which means they're suitable for everyone interested in cyber security.
These courses are delivered via the web, so they can easily fit around a busy schedule. And they're facilitated by instructors from Skill Success — a leader in web-based learning featured by CNN, CNET, and more — so this is a fantastic opportunity to learn from some of the best instructors in the field.
Cyber security professionals can make a killing, and when you consider that the
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Jul 02, 2022
This package features 130 hours of training that introduces students to the Python programming language. They'll learn the basics, get acquainted with the syntax, and discover how Python is used in real-world applications. Upon completion, students walk away with the ability to code their own programs, so they can enter the workforce — albeit in an entry-level capacity.
These courses are delivered by ZENVA, Oak Academy, Mammoth Interactive, and more. They've been around a long time and are widely respected within the tech industry.
If you want solid training, the 2022 Complete Python Certification Bootcamp Bundle is a
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Jul 01, 2022
To be specific, we're talking about games that don't natively support FSR within their own software. In games that do, like Horizon Zero Dawn, it's preferable to use that. But other games like Days Gone don't get that benefit, at least not automatically. Keith explains how you can apply FSR to any 3D game, and why you'd want to, especially on more recent and graphically intensive titles.
Resolution scaling isn't a miracle worker, but it did allow Days Gone to get over that crucial 30 frames per second milestone on the Steam Deck, at some points boosting it past 40. That's enough to enjoy smooth gameplay without sacrificing graphical splendor. For more Steam Deck deep dives (say that five times fast) like
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Jul 01, 2022
To shop, you'll need an Amazon Prime subscription, as this torrent of bargains is only available to members, but getting Amazon Prime for free is easy. If the deals below don't grab your attention just yet, stay tuned. We'll keep updating this article in the run up to July 12 and July 13. In the meanwhile, prepare yourself by learning how to navigate Prime Day lightning deals, and reading up on all you need to know about Amazon Prime Day 2022.
Prime Day SSD and storage deals: What to expect
In the past, the sweetest SSD deals have been on 500GB and 1TB SATA and PCIE 3.0 drives. Discounts sh
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Jul 01, 2022
Price When Reviewed$167.99 for 1TB I $283.99 for 2TB
Best Prices Today: Seagate Beskar Ingot SATA SSD
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Jul 01, 2022
Best Prices Today: Google Stadia
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Jul 01, 2022
Unlike many other cloud storage services that require users to renew annually, Koofr provides lifetime subscriptions at a flat fee. You pay just once, and then your allotted storage — up to 1TB — is yours to use forever. As you might imagine, that makes Koofr way less expensive in the long run and an affordable option for anyone on a budget.
But, while Koofr certainly has affordability going for it, it's also revered for other reasons. It's fast, places no size limits on individual files, and encrypts everything. And there are plenty of positive user reviews on G2, GetApp, and Trustpilot, in case you're interested in knowing what others think before you buy.
The bottom line? If yo
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Jun 30, 2022
Heading into the second half of the year, will Intel's 13th-gen "Raptor Lake" crush AMD's Ryzen 7000? Will We get a Zen 4-based Ryzen chip in older AM4 boards? And will Nvidia's GeForce 4000 really be that fast? Gordon and Adam talk all this and more with one of most prolific hardware gossipers out there: Tom of Moore's Law is Dead.
Among the predictions Tom makes is whether Raptor Lake or Zen 4 (and Zen 5) will win the battle for nerd's hearts and benchmarks and some bonker performance expectations from Nvidia's GeForce 4000-series. Intel's much anticipated Arc graphics cards are also heavily discussed—or rather,
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Jun 30, 2022
Google declined to offer a timetable for these changes to be implemented, saying that they would be rolled out over the next couple of months.
Interestingly, Google said that it would step in to manage passwords on iPhones. You can already authorize Google to manage and store passwords on Android, of course, but Google said it will offer iPhones the same capability. With Apple's tendency to strictly manage apps and their implementation on iOS, Google seems to be sidestepping Apple by moving some of this functionality to its browser.
Google will add touch-to-fill capabilities to Android in the coming months.Google
Android, though, remains Google's playground, and you'll see several password-specific improvements arriving on Android phones. For one, Google today offers the capability to autofill passwords for various sites, by taking your username and autofilling the password. Google said it will add an improvement called "Touch-To-Fill" over the coming months, automatically logging you in via just a touch that will simplify the process slightly further.
If you'd like to ma
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Jun 30, 2022
Prime Day is Amazon's annual event that offers epic deals on everything and anything. But in order to get those sweet, sweet deals, you have to be a Prime member. If you haven't got Prime, signing up for it is a pretty straightforward process. By signing up for the 30-day trial, you can actually get Amazon Prime for free.
As you peruse the world wide web, you're going to see a lot of monitor deals from big names like Asus and Acer. However, it's important to shop smart. In this article, we'll highlight the ones that are the best bang for your buck. We also have hands-on experience with these specific monitors. So, whether you need a high refresh monitor for those AAA titles or something more budget-friendly for the office, we've got you covered.
Prime Day monitor deals: What to expect
Last year, we saw some amazing prices on Samsung and BenQ monitors, including a 49-inch Samsung with a resolution of 5120×1440. You'll probably see similar deals this year from Samsung, as the manufacturer is known for having awesome prices on Prime Day. However, Amazon won't be the only retailer with the good deals. Other retailers like Best Buy and Walmart are takin
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Jun 30, 2022
Remember, you'll need to sign up for Amazon Prime (for free) to take advantage of Amazon's best TV sales. You should also read our primer on how to plan for Amazon's lightning deals.
While you'll find some top-notch TV deals on Prime Day proper, the smart shopper will start looking before Prime Day even begins. Unsure of where to start? Read TechHive's introduction to TV terminology, which can teach you how to wade through the jargon and help find the best Prime Day TV deals.
Prime Day TV deals: What to expect
It's no secret that Prime Day's best TV deals will feature models with hooks into Amazon, right? It's almost a given that Amazon's own Fire TVs will be discounted on Prime Day, and any TVs that include Amazon Alexa support should get a prime spot on Prime Day, too. Last year, for example, Insignia's now-discontinued 43-inch 4K Fire TV Edition TV was on sale for $219, or 31 percent off.
We'd expect similar TV deals for this Prime Day—anything with "Fire TV Edition" in its name will likely be discounted, and last year that in
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Jun 30, 2022
The cheapest of the confirmed Threadrippers, the 24-core, 48-thread Threadripper Pro 5965 WX, will cost an incredible $2399 when it's made available to end users. That's $1000 more than the cheapest high-end desktop Threadripper of the previous generation, the 3960X. Other new entries are even more costly: the 32-core Threadripper Pro 5975WX is $3399, and the 64-core Threadripper Pro 5995WX is $6499. That's about the going rate for an '05 Ford F-150. The updated pricing for the new chips was spotted by
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Jun 30, 2022
Best Prices Today: MiniTool Shadowmaker 3.6
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$79
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Jun 30, 2022
Yeah, you're probably scratching your head wondering why I'm so legitimately excited to use something as mundane sounding as USB4, but it's the final piece of the puzzle that should give all laptops equal footing and access to external GPU cabinets, super-fast external drives, and full-featured docks and monitors. Benefits, by the way, that have so far been limited to Intel- or Apple-based laptops.
USB4, if you don't know, was introduced in 2019 and essentially adopts the Thunderbolt 3 functionality that Intel released to the world. Up until now, most non-Thunderbolt 3 ports have been limited to a maximum of 10Gbps throughput. Although USB 3.2 can hit 20Gbps, few to no laptops have adopted that version.
USB4 increases the maximum throughput of the port to 40Gbps for all device traffic and, more importantly, brings the ability to tunnel PCIe through it. In practical terms, that means the ability to use an external GPU on a tiny laptop to increase graphics performance, or the ability to use a much, much faster
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Jun 30, 2022
We haven't reviewed this specific drive, but TeamGroup is well liked and it has a lot of reviews on Amazon. The Vulcan Z SSD features sequential read speeds up to 550 megabytes-per-second and write speeds up to 500 MB/s. That's not particularly impressive in an age where PCIe 3.0 NVMe SSDs can hit speeds six to seven times that. Still, as a secondary drive for documents or videos, this drive fits the bill nicely. The Vulcan Z comes with a three-year warranty and a TBW rating of 1,600 terabytes written.
[Today's deal: 2TB TeamGroup Vulcan Z SSD for $128 at Amazon.]
Gear, Solid-State Drives
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Jun 30, 2022
It's become customary for Amazon's big competitors like Best Buy, Newegg, and even secondary markets like eBay to offer huge deals on Prime Day as well, so we'll be taking a peek across the fence to find the best discounts. For the best deals at Amazon itself, make sure you're subscribed to Prime (or get it for free if you aren't) and keep an eye on the front page lightning deals.
Prime Day tablet deals: What to expect
Amazon will absolutely have discounts available on some, if not all, of its latest generation Kindle Fire tablets, as well as the e-ink Kindle digital book readers and accessories for same. But since Amazon also sells, well, pretty much everything, you'll be able to find discounts on tablets from other brands too. Low-end tablets from brands like Samsung and Lenovo are frequent targets for discounts, as are some full-sized Windows machines. Apple's iPads, usually very hard to find discounted, will sometimes g
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Jun 30, 2022
It's become customary for Amazon's big competitors like Best Buy, Newegg, and even secondary markets like eBay to offer huge deals on Prime Day as well, so we'll be taking a peek across the fence to find the best discounts. For the best deals at Amazon itself, make sure you're subscribed to Prime (or get it for free if you aren't) and keep an eye on the front page lightning deals.
Prime Day tablet deals: What to expect
Amazon will absolutely have discounts available on some, if not all, of its latest generation Kindle Fire tablets, as well as the e-ink Kindle digital book readers and accessories for same. But since Amazon also sells, well, pretty much everything, you'll be able to find discounts on tablets from other brands too. Low-end tablets from brands like Samsung and Lenovo are frequent targets for discounts, as are some full-sized Windows machines. Apple's iPads, usually very hard to find discounted, will sometimes get a sm
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Jun 30, 2022
First up is the 2020 version of the Ring Video Doorbell in bronze or silver for $75. That's down from the usual $100. When we reviewed this version of the Ring, we gave it four out of five stars. It features 1080p video capture, motion detection, two-way audio, and Alexa integration.
Next up is the
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Jun 30, 2022
After all, Microsoft's Windows Security suite (also known as Windows Defender or Microsoft Defender) provides built-in virus protection for your PC, and it doesn't cost a dime. I've been using it for years, and the last time I can recall having virus problems on my PC was well over a decade ago.
And yet, looking around for confirmation of this long-held belief quickly turns up an alternate universe, full of experts who insist that everyone should be paying for antivirus software. This advice comes not just from the companies that sell antivirus suites, but from reputable sites that perform antivirus software reviews (PCWorld included).
On top of that, nearly every laptop I've reviewed for PCWorld has come with some form of antivirus trialware from companies like McAfee and Norton. Those companies pay PC makers for placement, which wouldn't make sense if no one bought the products, right?
At this point, I've heard enough questions from readers—and family members—that I decided to dig a little deeper. What I've learned is that my initial assumptions were mostly correct: Most people can indeed skate by without extra antivirus software. But that doesn't mean everyone should, or that you shouldn't take any extra precautions to stay safe.
The case against extra antivirus software
As an initial sanity check on my antivirus assumptions, I did the mos
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Jun 30, 2022
For even more options, check out our roundup of the best Chromebooks, or if you kid is a gaming enthusiast, see our roundup of the best gaming laptops under $1,000 for affordable options. You can also keep an eye on our roundup of the best laptop deals, which is updated daily to help you snag the best price.
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Jun 30, 2022
The Asus Chromebook Flip features a vibrant 10.1-inch touchscreen display, 2 GB of RAM, and 16 GB of internal storage. It runs on the ultra-reliable Chrome OS, which means that it starts up quickly and is impervious to malware. Plus the hinge allows you to fold the unit in different configurations, so you can use it as a laptop, a tablet, and even as a presentation screen in one-on-one meetings.
This laptop was professionally refurbished to a grade ‘B' rating, so it'll come to you in perfect working order with only a chance of an aesthetic scuff or scratch that won't impede performance.
The
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Jun 29, 2022
https://www.pcworld.com/article/407493/
best-gaming-laptops.html?fbclid=IwAR2Xs8sAmwzBis
hz3O07aLSkoCJ2yWSFZkt_3YZ1oXEZLotLICO2-D0pII8
That string after the question mark is a set of tracking parameters. It feeds information about you to sites so they can keep tabs on user behavior. For example, they might want to know where traffic came from, like if it was through Twitter or a newsletter. It's a quiet but pervasive way your privacy gets undermined while online, and Firefox now has baked-in protection from it.
With the update to version 102, Firefox now automatically strips tracking parameters from some URLs, including those shared on Facebook. However, as reported by Bleeping Computer, it's just a handful, and in some light, quick testing, it won't cover all the sites you might visit during the normal course of a day.
Choose Strict or Custom mode to activate this new Firefox feature.PCWorld
Still, the feature is handy, even if it's not comprehensive. (It's a particular boon for people like me, who take the time to manually strip out such tracking info before shari
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Jun 29, 2022
It shouldn't be a huge surprise that with turn-based combat and generally low visual requirements, the tactical RPG genre is a fantastic match for portable gaming. Some work better than others — older games and 2D titles can go longer on the Steam Deck's battery and play smoother. Same PC-focused games lacked official control schemes, but there were generally options available from the Steam community. A few games with more complex controls, like Möbius Front '83, had some control issues, while a few oddballs like XCOM 2 had weird one-off issues.
Here's the full list of games with timestamps for the video above, if you're short on time:
02:15
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Jun 29, 2022
Prime Day is Amazon's annual event that offers awesome deals on everything from headphones and laptops to pool noodles and sundresses. However, the catch is these deals are only accessible to Prime members. Not a Prime member? Not a problem. By signing up for the 30-day trial, you can actually get Amazon Prime for free. If hunting down the right laptop deals stresses you out, don't worry, we've got you covered. The team at PCWorld is here to help.
Expect to see awesome laptop deals from popular brands like Asus, HP, Acer, and Dell. In this article, we'll highlight a slew of laptops that pack a punch in both the processing and graphics department. We'll also take battery life and display quality into consideration. Whether you're a content creator or a student, the idea is to guide you toward the best laptop that will meet your specific needs. Read on to learn more about what to expect this Prime Day.
Prime Day laptop deals: What to expect
Last year on Prime Day, we saw quite a number of good deals on laptops, especially Chromebooks and Lenovo Ideapads. The discounts ranged anywhere from 20 to 60 percent off. This year we expect to see awesome discounts on Chromebooks and 2-in-1 laptops.
Chromebooks are great for students because of their long battery life and robust builds. 2-in-1's, on the other hand, are suitable for those who travel often. There may even be some steep
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Jun 29, 2022
To prep for Prime Day, you'll want to get subscribed to Amazon Prime, since the premium service is required for all discounts. Luckily it's possible to get Amazon Prime for free if you're savvy about it. On top of that, keep an eye on the Lightning Deals for blink-and-you'll-miss-it discounts.
Prime Day GPU deals: What to expect
From late 2019 onward, the triple whammy of pandemic system building, booming cryptocurrency farms, and a strained global chip supply sent graphics card prices soaring, and secondary market scalpers made them climb even higher. But now that markets are settling back into predictable patterns and the crypto bubble appears to have burst, prices are returning to retail levels. This remains rare enough that you may see GPUs listed at MSRP flagged as deals below. Significant discounts on high-end cards aren't exactly a dail
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Jun 29, 2022
The Inzone monitors are very clearly cribbing on the style of the PS5, with big stretches of curvy white plastic offset by black trim. The built-in stand is also…let's call it "unique." A huge central pillar slants from the front to the back, adding several inches of depth directly behind and in front of the display. The panel can move up and down the slanted plane, which means that moving it forward also moves it lower and vice versa. If that's not to your liking the monitors can be used with standard VESA mounts, and there's a bit of RGB lighting on a strip in the back.
The monitor comes in two varieties, both 27 inches. The
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Jun 29, 2022
We haven't reviewed the 6 Plus, but we did look at the more expensive and faster Eero 6E system, giving it four out of five stars. The system on sale today is half the price of the one we reviewed. It features gigabit Ethernet with two ports on each Eero 6 Plus unit. It also supports dual-band Wi-Fi, which Amazon says is enough to support up to more than 75 connected devices in your home at once.
The Eero 6 Plus system acts as a Zigbee smart home hub for compatible devices. It also works with Alexa to manage Wi-Fi access for family members. However, for that you may need an extra subscription that adds parental controls, ad blocking, and malware filters.
Even without those extras, the Eero 6 Plus looks like a pretty good system to blanket your home in Wi-Fi 6.
[Today's deal: Eero 6 Plus three-pack for $194 at Amazon.]
Gear, Mesh Wi-fi Routers
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Jun 29, 2022
[The best laptops: Premium laptops, budget laptops, 2-in-1s, and more]
Updated 06/27/2022 Check out our latest review of the Asus ROG Strix Scar 15 (2022). It was just shy of this list due to a few questionable design decisions, but it's still represents good value. If you're looking for a bold laptop that packs the latest in high-powered gaming hardware and comes equipped with a fantastic screen and speakers, then be sure to read our full review for more information. We also recently reviewed the Alienware x14, the world's thinnest gaming laptop. Read our review to see why that's both a blessing and a curse.
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Jun 29, 2022
The CPU is an Intel "Alder Lake" Core i7-12700 with 12 cores (8 performance, 4 efficiency) and 20 total threads. The CPU has a a boost to 4.9GHz. RAM is 16GB, which is excellent for a gaming rig. Onboard storage is plentiful with a 512GB NVMe SSD for the OS and a few games. There's also a 1TB 7,200 RPM hard drive for games, documents, photos, and videos.
The graphics card is Nvidia's GeForce RTX 3060 with 12GB of GDDR6 DRAM. This is a no-compromises graphics card for 1080p, meaning it'll reliably hit 60 frames-per-second or more with graphics settings on ultra for modern games. The desktop also has Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, and loads of ports. You're getting one Type-C on the front along with four standard USB ports and another four standard ports on the rear.
It's a very nice looking desktop with good specs for the right price.
[Today's deal: Victus by HP 15L gaming desktop for $990 at HP.com.]
Gaming PCs
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Jun 29, 2022
Amazon's summer sales extravaganza is open to Prime members and will last for 48 hours, beginning on July 12th, 2022. Not a Prime member? Check out our guide for how to get Amazon Prime for free. In addition, you can plan for some great savings by snagging Prime Day lightning deals.
In recent years, other retailers have joined in on Amazon's pseudo-holiday and will also be offering their own deals. Below, you'll find the best desktop PC deals leading up to, and during, Prime Day 2022. Be sure to keep checking back, as these deals will be continually updated.
Prime Day computer deals: What to expect
This Prime Day could be particularly good for desktop PC deals. Last year, due to continuing shortages of GeForce RTX 30-series graphics cards, there weren't a lot of deals for high-end gaming desktops. However, these GPUs are back in stock, and the latest trends show them coming in under MSRP. This bodes well for people looking to score a deal on a pre-built gaming PC.
Beyond that, Prime Day's July timing could be an opportunity for retailers to offload stock in anticipation for the next generation of computer hardware later this year.
If you're in the market for a home office PC, e
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Jun 29, 2022
Algorithms like DALL-E (and eventually, DALL-E 2), DALL-E mini, Craiyon, Midjourney, and more are learning how to take publicly available art and learn what makes them art. Or, at least, digest the various elements and style of a photo or artistic work and recombine them into something new. Sure, you can argue whether or not they're, in fact, "art," but the creations are unique, original, and compelling.
Simply put, AI art uses a text prompt: something specific like McDonalds at the bottom of the sea, for example, or a bit more generic like the castle of time — the prompt that generated the art at the top of this story. The AI then uses what it's found on the web and what it knows of the query to custom-create an artistic rendering that matches the description.
Because of the computational requirements of training and using the algorithms, many of the most powerful algorithms are still locked inside beta tests, where only a few lucky participants are able to try them out. One notable exception is DALL-E mini, a public test of the AI that's available for you to try and is migrating to Craiyon. That's good news; the DALL-E Mini developers are migrating to Craiyon for trademark reasons, but DALL-E
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Jun 29, 2022
Best Prices Today: LG DualUp 28MQ780-B
Retailer
Price
Delivery
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Jun 29, 2022
The Step-by-Step Affiliate Marketing Mastery Bundle features six beginner-friendly courses that show students how to start earning passive income. They'll learn the basics of web-based selling, find out how to recruit affiliates, discover marketing funnels, and get acquainted with strategies that bring faster results.
This training bundle is facilitated by Skill Success, a respected online training source featured on CNN, CNET, and more. This makes these courses an excellent opportunity to learn skills from experts who really know what they're talking about.
The courses in the Step-by-Step Affiliate Marketing Mastery Bundle are fully accessible via the web, so it's a perfect option for busy people such as students or working professionals. You can purchase the collection on sale for $29.99 or $5 per course.
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Jun 28, 2022
As you might have discovered during last year's Prime Day (June 21 and June 22, 2021), the concept of a specific "Prime Day" is, well, flexible. Amazon and other retailers will offer early Prime Day deals before the event has even begun. What you need to know, however, is what a good deal actually is—and that's where we come in. We'll take a look at the available Chromebook deals, tell you what makes a Chromebook deal worthy of your attention, and add what context we can: relevant reviews, and how soon that Chromebook's support will expire. Our story on choosing a Chromebook versus a laptop has more on that.
Prime Day Chromebook deals: What to expect
We'd expect manufacturers will pursue the same strategies for Prime Day as they did during holiday Chromebook sales: unload older Chromebooks at steep discounts, taking advantage of consumer ignorance about processors and support lifecycles.
Weirdly,
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Jun 28, 2022
Specifically, Arm launched the Cortex-X3 as its next-generation performance core, designed both for smartphones as well as PCs. Arm also announced the Cortex-A715 as well as the Cortex-A510 efficiency core, part of the "big-little" architecture that splits the workload of a PC or a smartphone between powerful "big" cores and energy-efficient "little" cores. Arm executives said that the new Cortex -A715 is as powerful as the current Cortex-X1 performance core.
Arm also announced Immortalis, its next-gen GPU brand. Immortalis GPUs will be defined by a new capability for Arm GPUs, hardware-based ray tracing, which will put smartphone GPUs next to AMD and Nvidia GPUs in terms of their own hardware capabilities. Arm executives said they have no immediate plans to release a Windows 11 hardware driver for the Immortalis line, ruling out the possibility of Arm GPUs for the near future. However, executives also added that the possibility for a discrete Immortalis GPU is there, if partners express interest.
Paul Williamson, the general manager of Arm's client business, told reporters that the new Cortex and Immortalis chips would appear later this year, to ship in products in early 2023.
Arm is what the semiconductor industry calls an IP provider, licensing its designs to silicon partners to manufacture and sell. Company executives declined to comment on those partners' plans, leaving the precise implementation of the Cortex and Immortalis line slightly up in the air. Typically, however, partners like Mediatek, Samsu
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Jun 28, 2022
If it's simplicity you want, then VPNCity might be one of the easiest VPNs to use. You just start up the app, connect to the internet, and you're done! Once connected, you'll enjoy complete internet freedom and safety from the threat of hackers.
With VPNCity, your data is protected with AES-256 encryption. The app is compatible with numerous platforms, you can use it on up to twelve different devices at once, and you can even unblock geo-restricted content with it. VPNCity doesn't log your data either, a feature that some other VPNs don't offer.
Want to know what others think before buying? Then check out Trustpilot, where VPNCity earned an impressiv
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Jun 28, 2022
Don't worry, we're here to help. We've pulled together a comprehensive list of the best laptops that can help you succeed in college. We have already tested and reviewed all of these picks as part of our ongoing quest to find the best laptops.
While most (if not all) of the laptops on this list are fantastic productivity machines, we've also got picks for gamers and options that will meet every price point. If you're looking for a great deal, you may also find some low-cost gems in our roundup of the best laptop deals, which we update daily.
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7 Carbon - Best overall laptop
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Jun 28, 2022
Just how low-end is this new card? The next step up in Nvidia's Turing GPU-based GTX 16-series lineup is the already-pokey GTX 1650, which features double the memory bandwidth (128-bit vs just 64-bit), almost double the CUDA cores (896 vs 512). The GTX 1630 does feature considerably higher base and boost clock speeds, but with just 4GB of GDDR6 memory hobbled by that narrow interface, it's going to be hard to put it to use.
The newer card is significantly more powerful than the older
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Jun 28, 2022
Is that a deal breaker? Should you buy a used mining GPU? Let's break down when they may be available, what the risks are, and if you should worry about degraded performance.
What are the risks with used mining GPUs?
The obvious worry for buying a graphics card used for mining is that performance will be vastly degraded, and the GPU will fail sooner than expected. This is generally not the case, however. In our experience, mining GPUs do not seem to show much reduction in capability. Let's exam some possible reasons why, and some caveats.
Experienced GPU miners typically reduce the power draw and underclock their GPU to make the graphics card more efficient, increasing only the memory performance. (See more below.)In contrast, a gamer will want to overclock the GPU, a more risky endeavor.Miners do run their graphics cards 24/7, but this can also help minimize the heat up/cool down cycle that is stressful on silicon.There are certainly other dangers, though. Heat is a major problem for GPUs. If they were used for mining in an extremely hot environment without proper airflow, there can be issues.
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Jun 28, 2022
This charger is small at 1.37 inches by 1.34 inches by 1.8. That's close to the size you get for a 20 watt charger and the output here is double that. The charger prongs are not foldable, but at this size that's not as much of an issue.
The Nano Pro supports iPhone and Samsung fast charging, and it'll pump out enough power to charge a MacBook-at least when you're only using one port. The charger's maximum output is 40 watts combined, so when double charging, it's best suited to mobile devices like tablets and phones. Anker also has a built-in dynamic temperature sensor and a power tuner chip to monitor temps and power to prevent damage to the charger and your devices.
Anker's Nano Pro comes in four different colors, but today's sale is only available for the lavender charger. There are also white, black, and blue options available at a higher price.
[Today's deal: Anker Nano Pro charger in lavender for $27 at Amazon.]
Chargers, Gear
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Jun 28, 2022
The actual display size of the Aorus FO48U is 47.53-inches and the resolution is the aforementioned 3840-by-2160 (4K). The refresh rate is 120Hz. That's not a ton, but given the current state of graphics card performance at this high end resolution, it's plenty. The response time is also one millisecond and it supports FreeSync Premium for that stutter-free gaming experience.
This monitor supports HDR10 and hybrid log gamma (HLG) HDR standards. But this monitor does fall a bit short in that area since its peak brightness is 800 to 900 nits, according to Gigabyte. True HDR really needs 1,000 nits. Even so, this is an OLED monitor with 10-bit color depth, meaning the picture should be pretty darn impressive regardless.
This huge monitor is VESA wall mount compatible, and it has two 15-watt and one 20-watt speaker. For ports, it has one DisplayPort 1.4 and two HDMI 2.1. Both of these are good for 120Hz. It also has one USB-C port with KVM support, two USB 3.0, and one Type-B USB.
If you've been looking for a deluxe monitor at a good price, then today is your lucky day.
[
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Jun 28, 2022
Things aren't quite that simple, though the introduction of HMB is already resulting in lower-priced SSDs, and modern HMB SSDs deliver plenty of performance for everyday workloads. Let's dig in.
How HMB SSDs work
HMB (which was implemented in the NVMe spec version 1.2) sounds great, but in practice, it has only recently started to fully live up to expectations. Our first looks at the technology in Samsung's 980 (not to be confused with the very fast 980 Pro) and Toshiba's RC100 proved HMB implementations weren't entirely ready for prime time due to slow random performance with larger data sets.
Samsung's 980 SSD was one of our first looks at an HMB design. It's a decent performer, but small writes slowed rapidly as data set size increased.
Samsung
Lately ho
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Jun 28, 2022
What's the feature? It's the one I've been evangelizing for almost as long as I've been a Chrome user, the shortcut tool. It's an awkward name, since you could call a bookmark or even a saved URL a shortcut. But this particular shortcut is under Chrome's main menu More tools Create shortcut. And what comes next is the secret sauce in this delicious hamburger of browser usability: "Open as window."
Michael Crider/IDG
What this does is create a shortcut on your desktop that opens a Chrome window specifically to a single website, but that window has no user interface. No URL bar, no tabs
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Jun 27, 2022
So to make your search for a laptop easier, we've curated a list of the best Asus laptops we've tested. If we had to choose only one that really sets itself apart, however, we would have to go with the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14. It offers an enticing combination of blazing-fast performance and a compact form factor. The white exterior is easy on the eyes, as well. Not your cup of tea? Lucky for you, we've got plenty of other options.
If you're interested in our methods for choosing these laptops, check out the section on how we test below the recommendations.
Also, be sure to visit our comprehensive guide to the best laptops among all the major brands if you want to peruse the cream of the crop from every notebook maker.
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Jun 27, 2022
The FSR 2.0 mod for Cyberpunk allows for advanced resolution super sampling on more or less any graphics card. Unlike Nvidia's similar DLSS technology, it doesn't require developers to apply game-specific machine learning algorithms, and it works on any graphics card from any manufacturer. That doesn't mean it'll be all that helpful if you're running Cyberpunk on, say, a dusty old GT 730. But if you have a mid-range card you can see dramatic improvements at high resolution versus running with FSR disabled. The developer said that on a GTX 1080 (a six-year-old card that doesn't support DLSS), the framerate doubled with the mod applied.
The base game supports the original FSR 1.0 from the developers. But PotatoOfDoom1337's mod, available on NexusMods and
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Jun 27, 2022
Say what you will about Apple's penchant for forcing people over to new cables—the move to Lightning cables as the standard did wonders for convenience. You didn't have to think about the orientation of the cable when you plug it in, and there was even a tactile click when fully seated. Connecting an iPhone to a charger was something you can do in the dark and without fear of damaging the port. Plus, because of the high number of iPhone owners (in the US, at least), someone always had a spare charger or cable you could borrow.
Unfortunately, when news broke earlier this month that the European Union voted to mandate USB-C as the default connector for phones (as well as other electronics, including tablets and laptops), provoking some U.S. senators to push for a similar universal charger mandate, it seemed to sound the death knell for Lightning cables. And I'm actually sad at the thought.
It's been a bumpy ride on this side of the fence. Micro USB was used more widely in 2012, sure. But that connection type has problems. For starters, it's susceptible to damage after frequent us
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Jun 27, 2022
So what's the best VPN for torrenting your favorite flavor of Linux and maybe a little Open Office? Here are our top picks.
1. ProtonVPN - The best choice hands down
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Jun 27, 2022
But the bar for privacy and security has risen (an unfortunate side effect of modern tech life), and most companies have ditched one-and-done software licenses in favor of paid subscriptions. Weaving together a comprehensive set of basics can add up fast, especially given all the other subscriptions in our lives. The good news is, you don't have to shell out cash for everything. Some free options cover enough to be more than adequate. The trick is knowing when to scrimp and when to splurge.
This guide will help you wrap your head around free versus premium considerations for the most significant tech subscription types you're likely to use on a phone or computer—and maybe help you save some cash in the process. We didn't wade into entertainment subscriptions (like Netflix or gaming) because that's highly subjective. Let's dig in!
Email
Free email services always have some kind of limitation or hidden price, whether that's a restrictive storage cap or use of data collected about you.diedryreyes3456 / Pixabay
So many people use a free email service that you're probably wondering who bothers with a paid plan. Your typical Gmail or Outlook.com account still has a price, though—not only do
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Jun 27, 2022
The best laptop deals in 2022
Acer Spin 3
Acer
From: Walmart
Was: $586
Now: $399 ($187 off)
The Acer Spin 3 is s a nice mid-range laptop for someone who needs a satellite device when away from their primary rig.
This laptop has an older (but still capable) Core i5-1035G1 CPU with four cores, eight threads, and a boost to 3.6GHz. It also has a 14-inch 1080p touch display, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of onboard NVMe storage. That's not a ton of storage, but it's enough for documents and such. It comes with a rechargeable stylus as well, which is great for drawing or marking up documents.
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Jun 27, 2022
This version of the Spin 3 has a 14-inch touch display with 1080p resolution. The CPU has an Intel "Tiger Lake" Core i5-1035G1 with four cores, eight threads, and a boost to 3.6GHz. That's an older processor, but it still has a solid core count and the speed is fine for everyday uses and productivity.
For RAM, you get 8GB, which is a solid amount for surfing the web and checking e-mail. Onboard storage is a 256GB NVMe SSD. That's a little light, but it should be enough if you rely on cloud storage or use external storage.
Acer packed this laptop with a Thunderbolt 3 port, two standard USB, a media card reader, and an HDMI out. It comes with a stylus as well, which is useful if you need to mark up a web page or do some drawing. It's also running Windows 10, but it should be upgradeable to Windows 11.
[Today's deal: Acer Spin 3 for $399 at Walmart.]
Gear, Laptops
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Jun 27, 2022
The Z15 features RGB LED lighting and Kailh Speed Bronze linear switches. These switches have an actuation distance of 1.1mm and a full travel distance of 3.5mm. They're also hot swappable if you'd rather trade them in for a different Kailh switch. Mechanical keyboard switches are typically very comfortable and advantageous for day-to-day typing as well as gaming.
The keyboard has a dedicated volume scroll wheel, multimedia keys, and a 32-bit ARM Cortex-M33. The last bit helps deliver a response rate that EVGA says is four times more responsive than your average keyboard. EVGA's also packed this keyboard with a magnetic palm rest for added comfort.
Mechanical keyboards can often cost well over $100, so this is truly an excellent buy.
[Today's deal: Evga Z15 for $40 at GameStop.]
Gear, Keyboards
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Jun 27, 2022
But the bar for privacy and security has risen (an unfortunate side effect of modern tech life), and most companies have ditched one-and-done software licenses in favor of paid subscriptions. Weaving together a comprehensive set of basics can add up fast, especially given all the other subscriptions in our lives. The good news is, you don't have to shell out cash for everything. Some free options cover enough to be more than adequate. The trick is knowing when to scrimp and when to splurge.
This guide will help you wrap your head around free versus premium considerations for the most significant tech subscription types you're likely to use on a phone or computer—and maybe help you save some cash in the process. We didn't wade into entertainment subscriptions (like Netflix or gaming) because that's highly subjective. Let's dig in!
Email
Free email services always have some kind of limitation or hidden price, whether that's a restrictive storage cap or use of data collected about you.diedryreyes3456 / Pixabay
So many people use a free email service that you're probably wondering who bothers with a paid plan. Your typical Gmail or Outlook.com account still has a price, though—not only do you
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Jun 27, 2022
Price When Reviewed$75 for 500GB I $160 for 1TB I $285 for 2TB I $500 for 4TB
Best Prices Today: Kingston XS200 USB SSD
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Kingston
74.99
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Jun 26, 2022
ClearVPN lets subscribers customize services to suit their needs. For example, they can unblock specific websites, change their protection levels, and alter privacy settings to enjoy the web in their own way. Plus, ClearVPN can cover up to six devices while offering unlimited streaming. And, if you care what others think, it's received a user rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot, which is an excellent score by all accounts.
Ready to try it? Now is a great time. ClearVPN is offering a one-year Premium Plan, usually $155.88, for only $29.99. It's an affordable option for an outstanding VPN that'll help protect you from hackers without making you feel like you've lost control of your web experience.
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Jun 25, 2022
Buldix Pro is a popular drag-and-drop website builder ideal for non-techies, seasoned web developers, and everyone in between. You just choose from its existing stock of templates and customize it to suit your needs. You can drag and drop a variety of pre-made assets, websites are responsive, and you can even link your own custom domain and host it on your own.
Yes, there are other drag-and-drop website builders out there. But most are too simplistic for professional applications. Buldix Pro, by contrast, works great for everyone. Even professional developers use it to get jobs done much faster than they could by coding alone. Plus it's received tremendous user reviews on Facebook, Dealfuel, and more, so you can research how well it works before you buy.
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Jun 24, 2022
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge is a loving homage to those specific games, that era of beat-em-ups and fighting games in general, and of course, the cartoon that became a worldwide phenomenon. But developers Tribute and Dotemu weren't content to merely replicate the games from the late 80s and early 90s, incredibly simple as they are by today's standards. Shredder's Revenge is a time machine that, while paying its respect to the era, embraces the renaissance of pixelated 2D games that have boomed since digital distribution began.
The result is an absolute treat for both beat-em-up fans and Turtlemania sufferers, longing still for that which further nurseth the disease. Shredder's Revenge doesn't do anything particularly innovative in terms of gameplay, but it's rock-solid and polished to a mirror shine in the way even the original arcade games weren't. Plu
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Jun 24, 2022
If you're not sure where to begin, don't sweat it. We've done the hard work for you and curated a list of the best gaming laptops that fall under the $1,000 mark. We've also included a couple of other options for those that can stretch their budget a little bit further to crank up the eye candy. Whether you love first-person-shooter games or something more story-driven, all these machines should be more than capable.
If you find a little extra cash lying around, be sure to check out our roundup of the best gaming laptops overall for a glimpse of what's available with a higher budget. Additionally, you'll often find gaming laptops going for cheap in our roundup of the best laptop deals, which we update every weekday. Read on to learn more.
1. Acer Swift X (SFX14-41G-R1S6) - Best overall
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Jun 24, 2022
As The Verge reports, anyone still using Windows 8.1 will get notifications about the end of software updates sometime next month. They'll have until January 10th to find a new operating system, or face the web without any backup in the way of security updates. It might be an awkward transition: PCs still running Windows 8.1 might not be able to meet the minimum requirements of Windows 11, as Microsoft fully admits in another support document. The company is still selling Windows 10, which is notably less picky about low-powered hardware (and needs no Trusted Platform Module), but which will officially end its support life in 2025.
Windows 8 was immediately divisive when it l
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Jun 24, 2022
When we reviewed the Beats Studio 3, we gave them 4.5 out of 5 stars and an Editors' Choice Award. "With active noise cancellation, big bass and a comfortable design, the Beats Studio 3 Wireless are the ultimate Beats headphones," we said.
This set of headphones features the Apple W1 headphone chip, which makes for easy pairing with iOS devices. It will work with Android too, but through standard Bluetooth connection. It also supports up to 22 hours of listening time as well as a quick charge option where 10 minutes will get you three hours.
The device has active noise cancelling for keeping out environmental sounds and there's a transparency mode to allow essential noises in, so you don't lose track of the world around you. As for the sound this thing produces, it has big bass and supports spatial audio.
[Today's deal: Beats Studio 3 wireless headphones for $180 at Amazon.]
Gear, Wireless Headphones
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Jun 24, 2022
Unlike a more obvious and drastic upgrade where you can see the difference in the connector itself, M.2 PCIe 3 and 4 drives look identical from the outside. The difference is the standard in the way they connect to the motherboard, and thus, the rest of the computer. Newer drives are compatible with the newer designs for the Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIe) bus standard. That's a fancy way of saying they can move data around at a faster rate.
On paper, Generation 4 drives are essentially twice as fast as Gen 3 drives, an absolutely massive improvement. It isn't the same kind of jump you'd see when going from a SATA hard drive to a SATA SSD, but it's still a dramatic boost when copying files or doing other operations that lean directly on read and write speed.
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Jun 24, 2022
When we reviewed the Apple Watch SE, we called it "a very good mid-range smartwatch." That's a key point about this watch. You're sacrificing some popular features for a better price like the always-on display and the SpO2 monitor.
The Apple Watch SE does have many of the key features you'd like to see in a smartwatch. You can use it to take calls, reply to texts, get notifications from other apps, track workouts, and keep track of your heart rate. It has irregular heart rhythm notifications and the Emergency SOS feature in case of a hard fall-a popular feature for those who are at risk of injury. It's also swimproof and it works with Apple Pay.
This is a solid entry-level smartwatch from the world's most popular smartwatch maker. Just make sure you have an iPhone to go with it.
[Today's deal: The 44mm Apple Watch SE for $209 at Walmart.]
Apple Watch, Gear
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Jun 24, 2022
With the original RTX 3090 price recently decreasing slightly, it makes for an interesting comparison against the newer AMD RX 6950 XT. The RTX 3090 Ti offers more performance, but is significantly outside of the price bracket of the RX 6950 XT. Is this AMD refresh enough to push performance for AMD ahead of Nvidia, even in the murky waters of ray tracing? More importantly, does it move the needle for high-end gamers enough for them to switch their allegiance from Nvidia to AMD? Let's find out!
Sapphire RX 6950XT
Brad Chacos
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Jun 24, 2022
The good news is you don't have to splurge on pro-level audio equipment to significantly improve your sound—USB microphones are an affordable and satisfying alternative. Plus, USB mics are essentially plug-and-play, making them much easier to use.
When selecting our picks for the best USB microphones, we look for models that offer easy setup, great quality, and a fair price, as well as flexibility with voice types and volumes. If you want to learn more about how to pick the best microphone for your particular needs, scroll down to our buyers' guide below our recommendations.
The best USB microphones
Elgato Wave:3 - Our top pick
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Jun 24, 2022
The Helpfull Feedback Platform provides creators and businesses easy access to unbiased and detailed criticism for logos, images, text, and more. Create your survey, upload the content you want to be reviewed, and choose your demographics. Within minutes you'll get constructive feedback from users, so you'll know what works and, more importantly, what doesn't.
You might find Helpfull particularly valuable if you're an app developer or work in QA. QA Specialist Karla Q writes, "Helpfull is a great service to use if you need feedback in real time. In a very interactive and fun way that makes you excited to view the results."
With the Helpfull Premium Plan, you'll get two free questions per test and 50 credits per month. Additionally, you can export results to PDF or Exc
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Jun 23, 2022
Starting now, you can grab hundreds of games at cool prices, with some big-name titles ranging from 50 to more than 75 percent off. Standouts include Ghostrunner: Tokyo, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, Cyberpunk 2077, Monster Hunter Rise, and FIFA 22, but there's still much, much more. Even just-released games like are discounted too, with Tiny Tina's Wonderlands debuting on Steam at 20 percent off and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge getting a 10 percent slice. And of course, as always, diving into older games is cheap. Always wanted to play The Sims 4? It's just $5 now.
(Be prepared to shell out for all The Sims 4 expansion packs too if you get sucked in, though. There's…a lot of them.)
FIFA 22 has dropped to an insanely low price of $9.59 (84 percent off) during the Steam Summer Sale.EA / Steam
Valve is offering more than just game deals, too. For starters, you can earn Summer Sale trading cards and badges, as is common during these sales. This time around, there's also a mini-quest themed around a character—Clorthax, whom the company calls out in its press release as a "tolerable acquaintance" created by the same folks behind Half-Life 2, Portal, and
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Jun 23, 2022
There are two rather obvious benefits of a wireless mouse. It eliminates the tether to your computer, giving you greater freedom and range. It's also more travel friendly for when you need a mouse on the go. No one objects to one less cord in their gear bag. You'll probably pay a bit more for a wireless mouse than a wired one, but if you value this kind of convenience it's worth it.
Looking for a wireless mouse specific to gaming? Take a look at our best wireless gaming mice.
Our picks for best wireless mice include innovative designs, ergonomic features, and multiple connectivity options. They also cover both productivity and gaming uses, so you should be able to find at least one that suits your needs. You'll find our tips on what to look for in a wireless mouse below our recommendations. Read on to learn more.
Updated 6/22/22 If you're looking for an excellent wireless mouse perfect for MMO/MOBA games, then be sure to check out our latest r
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Jun 23, 2022
None of the features coming to Chromebooks are new, per se; however, they simply close the book on features that the company had previously announced. The upgrades will roll out as part of Chrome OS 103, also known as Chrome OS M103.
In March 2021, Google announced Phone Hub, a small dashboard that could be used to control your phone from your Chromebook, with features that included the ability to locate your phone and silence it, among others. Now, Google is adding the ability to see recent photos that your Android phone took, automatically. This feature is similar to the same photo capability that's in Microsoft's Your Phone application for Windows 10 and 11.
Google also announced Nearby Share at the same event, which can beam photos and other files to nearby Chromebooks or Android phones. Now Google is adding the capability to get those devices online, as well; if you so choose, you can beam the SSID and password of your in-home Wi-Fi to nearby guest devices.
Google will also begin rolling out the Screencast app to Chromebooks this week. Announced earlier this month as part of a Google education launch, Screencast is similar to the ability of Android and Chrome OS devices to share their screens on supported displays. Screencast, however, includes some limited editing capabilities to record and share what students have learned.
Finally, Google said that it will roll out Fast Pair later this summer. The technology auto-magically connects Bluetooth devices like earbuds to a phone or Chromebook, and passes
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Jun 23, 2022
On June 9, Microsoft tipped off several plans for upcoming improvements in Windows and Edge, the same day that it announced that you'd be able to stream games from your Xbox that you already own. Several of these improvements to Edge have been tipped previously; Microsoft said last November that it was trialing Clarity Boost in the experimental Canary version of Microsoft Edge, improving the visual quality of games streamed within Edge.
Today, Microsoft said they're rolling those new features out to everyone.
The new Edge features include a gaming-specific option for the home page. Edge users can click on the "Gaming" header in the navigation bar at the top of the page to access personalized gaming content, including news, game guides, live streams, game highlights, tournaments, and upcoming and newly released games. If you're signed in with your Microsoft account (that's connected to your Xbox account) you'll also receive Xbox specific news. If your Xbox account is also subscribed to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, you'll be able to launch cloud-gaming games directly from the Edge browser, too.
Here's a look at that the new Edge gaming page will look like.
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Jun 23, 2022
By default, the Steam Deck supports a 2230 M.2 drive, just 30mm long, and the shortest standard size for the M.2 format. That rather limits the amount of storage it can handle — the biggest 2230 drive on the market is 2TB, but Valve's pre-configured Steam Decks top out at the more common 512GB. Adding to that, consumer SSDs using the relatively obscure 2230 size are difficult to find, given the format's rarity.
TheSmcelrea (spotted by HotHardware) decided they needed a faster KingSpec drive in the 2242 form factor, 12 millimeters longer. To achieve this they bought a rather obscure
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Jun 23, 2022
If you're scratching your head on why that's necessary, Mullvad explains in a blog post (spotted by TechRadar). Apparently there was no way to continue to facilitate recurring subscription payments without storing the payment data users submitted for the entire length of that subscription. And keeping a credit card number or PayPal account associated with a login more or less forever is basically the opposite of privacy. That being the case, Mullvad is now only accepting one-time payments for its VPN services. That will allow the company to purge payment data after "the first few weeks."
This isn't as complicated as it seems. Users can still buy service for a month, a year, or a whopping ten years. The single tier of service costs the same (5 euro per month, a bit over $5) no matter how long a term you pay
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Jun 23, 2022
I decided to give this kind of layout a shot after reading effusive praise of it. Most fans love the extra real estate you get and swear it improves the flow of browsing. But after a couple of months of trying vertical tabs, I have to confess: I'm still not sure how I feel about them.
There's stuff I like, of course. For starters, switching between vertical and horizontal tabs is fast and simple. Just tap CTRL SHIFT , on your keyboard. Alternatively, you can head into Settings and search for the feature, or click the black window icon at the far left of your tab row.
Vertical tabs are also more convenient for keeping track of many tabs while minimizing window clutter. Each tab is reduced to an icon, which you can quickly take in at a glance. And when you hover your mouse over an icon, a bar pops out with the titles of your tabs, making clear what you've got open.
Vertical tabs in an Edge window (landscape orienta
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Jun 23, 2022
This version of the Kindle Paperwhite was released in 2018. It features 8GB of storage, a 6.6-inch display with 300 pixels-per-inch, and the usual long-lasting battery. It's also waterproof, which means it's capable of standing up to 6.5 feet of fresh water for an hour or just under a foot of seawater for two minutes. In other words, it'll survive a drop in the pool or fresh water lake. However, if it gets dumped into the Pacific, you'll have to act fast to save it.
The latest version of the Paperwhite is priced at $140 right now. The newer version has a slightly larger screen at 6.8-inches and it's 10 percent brighter at its max setting. You can also change the lighting hue. Those are some nice additions, for sure. However, the deal on the 2018 model is still quite good.
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Jun 23, 2022
The star of these deals is the Platinum P41, which was released about a month ago. When we reviewed this SSD, we gave it 4.5 out of 5 stars and an Editors' Choice Award. "This top-tier PCIe 4 SSD performs on par with the best around, and is nicely affordable," we said. It promises sequential read speeds up to 7,000 megabytes-per-second and sequential writes up to 6,500MB/s. Those claims are pretty accurate based on our tests.
As for the Gold P31, it's an excellent SSD that earned an honorable mention in our
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Jun 23, 2022
For a nascent search engine, these numbers are big. As Brave claims in a blog post, it's won this achievement faster than Google (who took over a year to meet the same goal), plus run circles around DuckDuckGo. Its privacy-oriented rival took four years to cross the same threshold. Brave Search is now the default search engine for the company's Brave browser.
In addition to exiting its beta phase, Brave Search is also launching a new feature called Goggles. (Cue many future typos.) It joins another recently announced feature, Discussions, to provide a larger swath of information available online. But while Discussions are suppleme
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