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Windows 11 (option 4)

Windows 11 preview build adds a USB4 settings page

Microsoft is rolling out Windows 11 build 23419, including a new settings page for USB4 hubs and new improvements for app defaults.

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Microsoft has released yet another build of Windows 11 to Insiders in the Dev channel, uncovering some new features that are making their way to the operating system in the future. Specifically, this build features a new USB4 page in the Settings, along with the recently-announced improvements for app defaults. The build number is 23419, and as a reminder, this Dev channel is a new one, while the old Dev channel has been succeeded by the new Canary channel, where Microsoft isn't announcing a new build yet.

Screenshot of the Windows Insider Program page in the Windows 11 Settings app

The Canary channel isn't enough to make the Windows Insider Program exciting again

While Microsoft's new Canary channel could be to test Windows 12, that idea isn't as exciting as it should be.

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Recently, Microsoft made some big changes to the Windows Insider Program, introducing the brand-new Canary channel designed for testing extremely early Windows builds. While Microsoft won't say it, the prevailing theory is that this channel is where Microsoft is testing the rumored Windows 12, which has been reported to be launching in 2024.

Apple MacBook Air M2 (2022)

Best MacBook Air M2 (2022) skins in 2023

Apple's MacBook Air M2 (2022) is available in four uninteresting finishes. These skins will help you add some vibrance to its dull chassis.

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Apple's MacBook Air (2022) is undoubtedly an excellent Mac, offering the M2 chip, macOS Ventura, and a refreshed design. Though its exterior looks more modern now, it misses out on interesting finish options. So you can only pick between Space Gray, Midnight, Starlight, and Silver, which are all somewhat muted colors. Fortunately, you can depend on skins to conceal the dull chassis, and we've picked the best options that would work with your MacBook Air.

Starlink satellite roof mounted view from the back-2

Starlink internet is going from rural savior to unreliable luxury

Starlink satellite internet has afforded me and others opportunities in a connected world. But recently has become an expensive liability.

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When SpaceX's residential satellite internet company, Starlink, was first introduced, I had high hopes. Legitimate high-speed internet isn't widely available where I live in rural Kansas. Over the past 11 years, I've had to make do with an OG Verizon data-only plan for a hotspot, HughesNet satellite internet, US Cellular home internet, local fixed wireless, T-Mobile Home Internet, and more. But as of spring 2021, I have primarily relied on Starlink to provide internet to my home.

Nreal Air AR glasses are adding Windows support, giving you an immersive 21:9 display

The Nreal Air AR glasses are getting official support for Windows PCs, giving users a large 21:9 display and 3DoF support for more immersive gaming.

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Nreal, the company behind the Nreal Air AR glasses we reviewed a few months ago, is introducing official support for Windows PCs with the launch of Nebula for Windows. According to a recent survey conducted y the company, 56.68% of Nreal Air users are using it for console gaming (which includes the Steam Deck), and so, the company wants to expand to PC gaming as well.

macbook-pro-m2-max-xda-review-202300158

How to hand off a task from iOS to macOS and vice versa

Thanks to Apple's tight ecosystem, you can hand off tasks between iOS and macOS devices. Here's how to utilize this Continuity feature.

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Apple products are famous for the tight ecosystem that ties them together. When you buy a new iPhone and one of the excellent Macs, you get to utilize some Continuity features. One of these offerings is Handoff, which, as its name suggests, lets you hand off tasks from one device to another. So, for example, if you started typing a note on your iPhone, you can hand it off to your Mac, and vice versa. Here's how to hand off tasks between iOS and macOS.

Razer DeathAdder V3 Pro

Best wireless gaming mouse in 2023

Get rid of those pesky USB cables with these excellent wireless gaming pointers.

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Being tethered to your gaming PC may not be the ideal experience when you're attempting to slide the pointer across a larger mousepad. This is where the best wireless gaming mouse comes into play with wireless capabilities. Whether it's Bluetooth or using a 2.4GHz connection, these mice allow you to cut the cord and game cable-free.

Mac Studio and Studio Display running Ubuntu Linux 20.04

Can the Mac Studio run Linux? Yes, but not natively

Wondering if you can get Linux running on the new Mac Studio? You can, but it requires some work and you may lose some performance.

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Apple's powerful desktop workstation, the Mac Studio, is very tempting. Thanks to the Apple M1 Ultra processor, the Mac Studio is still the fastest Mac on the market, even competing with the "cheese grater" Mac Pro. Out of the box, the Mac Studio will run macOS Ventura, but what if you want to leverage that power in a different OS? If you're wondering whether you can run Linux on the Mac Studio, we have good and bad news.

Best Mac Studio monitors in 2023

The Mac Studio is one of the most powerful consumer computers to date. But to set it up, you'll need a great display.

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Powered by macOS Ventura and the M1 Max or M1 Ultra chip, the Mac Studio is one of the best Macs currently available. Not only does it offer unrivaled might and power efficiency, but it also has a compact build. Notably, though, it doesn't come with a monitor, so you will have to buy your own separately. To help you out, we've compiled a list of the best Mac Studio monitors currently available.

Windows 11 (option 3)

New Windows 11 preview update gives users faster access to Bing chat

Microsoft has released a new update for Windows Insiders in the Release Preview channel, adding a Bing button to the taskbar among other changes.

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Microsoft has released a new Windows 11 update for Insiders enrolled in the Release Preview channel, adding a few of the improvements that have been available in the Beta and Dev channels in the past. There's also a seemingly brand-new change, which gives users faster access to the new Bing chat experience.

LG UltraGear 49GR85DC-B monitor with colorful mountains in the background

LG's new ultrawide gaming monitor supports DisplayHDR 1000 and a 240Hz refresh rate

The 49-inch monitor is essentially two Quad HD screens in one, it boasts top-notch specs for gamers, and it even comes with a free desk pad.

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LG has just launched the latest in its UltraGear lineup of gaming monitors, and it's quite the unit. The LG UltraGear 49-inch DQHD monitor (model number 49GR85DC-B) packs some top-of-the-line specs for a top-notch ultra-wide gaming experience, and it carries a price tag to match, coming in at $1,300.

Lenovo Yoga 9i (2023) vs MacBook Air (2022)

Lenovo Yoga 9i (2023) vs MacBook Air (2022): Which laptop should you buy?

The Lenovo Yoga 9i (2023) and MacBook Air (2022) are two completely different laptops. Does the Windows or macOS computer better suit your needs?

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Picking a new computer can be a challenge nowadays. After all, there are endless models out there, coming from a wide variety of brands, that cater to different budgets and needs. If you're seeking a new laptop, then the Lenovo Yoga 9i (2023) and Apple MacBook Air (2022) are two excellent options. Notably, these two machines have almost nothing in common. They are both premium laptops with higher-end specs and displays, but that's about where the similarities end. So let's break them down and see which will suit your needs.

Screenshot of the Windows 11 Task Scheduler over a desktop background

How to create automated tasks with Task Scheduler in Windows 11

If there are certain tasks you'd like your PC to perform automatically, the Windows 11 Task Scheduler lets you do just that.

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Windows 11 has many features hiding just beneath the surface, many of which have been around for years. One of these is a program called Task Scheduler, which can automate tasks on Windows 11 so that they always happen on a regular basis. You can also create tasks triggered by other specific events on the computer.

Slim Pen 2 in pen garage

Best pens for the Surface Pro 9 in 2023

Looking to draw on your Surface Pro 9? You can get an official pen from Microsoft, but only a limited number of third-party pens will work.

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The Surface Pro 9 is one best Windows tablets in 2023 and one of the best devices for using a touchscreen on Windows. It supports inking with a Microsoft Surface Pen. Like with other Surface PCs, that means you can draw on the screen, annotate documents, and bring out your inner creativity in Windows apps like Photoshop or Fresh Paint.

Screenshot of the Snipping Tool in Windows 11 open over a desktop background image

Windows 11 Snipping Tool vulnerability can reveal sensitive information in screenshots

After Pixel phones, it looks like Windows 11's built-in screenshot tool also lets attackers reveal information you may have cropped out.

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Recently, we heard of a vulnerability in the screenshot tool of Google's Pixel phones, referred to as aCropalypse, which can result in revealing sensitive information through screenshots, even without the user realizing it. As it turns out, Google isn't the only one with this issue, as the Snipping Tool app in Windows 11 suffers from the same problem.

The HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook on a desk

Best docking stations for HP Dragonfly Pro in 2023

These docking solutions can give you extra ports for connecting your favorite peripherals to the HP Dragonfly Pro.

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Both the HP Dragonfly Pro, which is powered by Windows, and the HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook, powered by ChromeOS are modern laptops when it comes to port selection. The standard Dragonfly Pro sports two USB 4 40Gbps ports and a USB 3.2 Type-A port, while the Chromebook has four Thunderbolt 4 USB Type-C ports, which is actually a first for any Chromebook device. But if you want to go beyond those basics and connect multiple peripherals like printers or mice to your device, then a docking station is a must.

Plex is going away from the PlayStation 3

If you use your PlayStation 3 as a Plex media player, you'll have to consider alternatives.

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If you have a PlayStation 3 that you still use as a media player, you're not alone. I know a few people who use one, and up until semi-recently, I used to use one too with my Plex media server. Now that functionality is going away, as six years after the official PlayStation 3 Plex app was deprecated, the application is no longer going to be supported. Users who use one are being encouraged to switch to another device such as a Roku, Amazon Fire Stick, or a Chromecast. Plex will stop working on the PlayStation 3 from the 24th of March, 2023.

macbook-pro-m2-max-xda-review-202300205

How to stop a macOS app from launching automatically after a reboot

Some Mac applications launch automatically after each macOS reboot. Here's how to stop this annoying, unwanted behavior once and for all.

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Apple sells some excellent Macs that cater to different budgets and needs, such as the MacBook Pro (2023) and Mac Mini (2023). Though, whether you're on macOS Ventura or an earlier OS version, you might've noticed that sometimes apps launch automatically after a system reboot. Not only does this slow down the initial boot due to multiple applications launching at the same time, but usually it's also unwanted. I've seen several people manually quitting these apps right after they boot on their own. What many people don't know is that there is a solution for this problem. Follow the steps below to stop a macOS app from launching automatically after a reboot.

Screenshot of Bard giving a user tips on how to read 20 books in a year

Bard, Google's long-awaited ChatGPT rival, is finally here

Google's answer to ChatGPT and the new Bing chat is now available in preview for select users in the US and UK, with more countries to follow.

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Google is officially entering the AI-powered chat war against ChatGPT with the introduction of Bard, its own take on the concept. Starting today, users in the United States and the United Kingdom can sign up for a preview of Bard and ask for help or information on a given topic. In return, Bard can generate structured responses that help users get the information they need more quickly.