Discord now admits that their Windows 11 app uses unnecessary amounts of memory, reports Windows Latest. To address this, the communication platform is currently testing a new feature that automatically restarts the application whenever RAM usage exceeds 4GB. Fortunately, the test won’t have Discord randomly shutting down in the middle of an active session. It will only trigger the automatic restart if the app has been running for at least an hour and the user has been inactive for at least 30 minutes and isn’t in a voice or video call. Furthermore, the Discord app can only be automatically restarted like this once per day maximum. The Discord app’s memory usage is typically around 1GB, but due to the way the underlying Electron app framework works and how it’s implemented, the app’s memory usage can quickly balloon out of control as more servers and features are loaded. Read...

Peripherals and accessories can unlock more potential than you might expect. In this article, we’ll highlight the components that turn a solid PC into a noticeably better gaming system, whether you’re into shooters, MMOs, or story-driven games. A programmable mechanical keyboard is one of the first underestimated devices. Whether it’s macros, hotkeys, or your own RGB profile, customizing your setup can improve focus and responsiveness. Equally important are the switch quality, actuation point, and ergonomics, which ensure greater comfort in the long run. Regular gamers benefit when the keyboard feels precise and consistent, even after hours of use. Hot-swappable models let you replace the switches yourself. This allows you to customize the typing feel exactly to your own preferences. High-quality mouse pads are also often forgotten. Anyone who has played on a smooth, large surface with good grip and tracking will immediately notice the difference, especially in fast-paced shooters. Texture, gliding behavior, and size play a decisive role here. Your mouse and mouse pad should complement each other for the best performance. A precise gaming mouse with a high-quality sensor only develops its full potential when it is moved on a clean, friction-optimized surface. BeQuiet A good gaming headset not only influences the sound, but also the response time. If you can locate opponents precisely, you gain a real advantage and not just in multiplayer games. Comfort, microphone quality, and long battery life ensure a more comfortable gaming experience. Modern headsets offer features such as surround sound, active noise cancelation, and smart audio profiles. Especially in story games or immersive titles such as Cyberpunk 2077 or Hellblade, they enhance the gaming experience enormously. For MMO fans, a mouse with multiple thumb buttons is often more than just a proverbial game changer. Accessing up to 12 abilities with your thumb reduces complex key combinations, keeping you in the flow. Especially in hectic battles or in raids, where timing is crucial, this can make the difference between success and failure. The same applies to games such as MOBAs or battle royales, where speed counts. Yeelight Even inconspicuous details such as a high-quality USB hub on the desk can help. Less cable chaos, easy device changes and charging ports in the right place save time and nerves – especially if the mouse, keyboard, headset, controller and webcam are regularly plugged in and unplugged. Models with power delivery (USB PD) or SD card readers further expand the possibilities. And once you’ve played on a 120 or 144 Hz monitor, it’s hard to go back to a slower display. The higher frame rate not only ensures smoother movements, but also makes inputs more precise and motion blur almost invisible. The difference is particularly noticeable in shooters or racing games. It gets even better with G-Sync or FreeSync–adaptive synchronization prevents tearing and noticeably reduces input lag. Asus A high-quality monitor arm can improve your gaming experience by creating desk space, allowing flexible screen alignment, and promoting better posture. Ergonomic chairs, wrist rests or a height-adjustable table also help to ensure that gaming does not become a strain in the long term. Not every upgrade has to be expensive; even small improvements have a direct effect on your gaming experience. If you invest in the right components, you’ll realize the difference often lies in the details. Read...

The Traitors and Strictly presenter was recognised on Tuesday for services to broadcasting. Read...

If you’re using a laptop as your primary workstation and you want to upgrade your workspace and boost your productivity, then you should really look into getting a docking station. It’s the ultimate solution for expanding what your laptop can do, especially if you get one that’s better than the cheaper entry-level options. I’m talking about something like this crazy 17-port Baseus USB-C docking station that’s now on sale for just $90 on Amazon. That’s a 25% discount off its original $120 price and matches the lowest price it’s ever been. View this Amazon deal This docking station plugs into your laptop’s USB-C port and turns it into 17 full-blown ports that can all be used at once. Yup, seriously. One of the best things about it is that it supports up to three 4K monitors via two HDMI and one DisplayPort, allowing you to craft your dream workstation setup whether you’re a creative, professional, or student. Three 4K monitors should be enough for most folks, especially since the dock also features a ton of other connectivity options. So, what are those other connectivity options? You’re looking at a 100W USB-C Power Delivery port for passthrough charging of your laptop, two USB-C data ports and three USB-A data ports for fast transfers, two USB-A ports for peripherals, SD and microSD card slots, a Gigabit LAN port, and a 3.5mm audio jack. There’s also a 36W DC power input as well as the host port that connects the dock to your laptop. Extra bonuses with this docking station include the LED indicator for connection activity and the detachable stand that allows you to prop it up, freeing up desk space when things feel cluttered. Snag this Baseus 17-in-1 docking station for just $90 and finally get the efficient laptop workstation you’ve been pining for! Save 25% on this super-versatile USB-C dock for your laptopBuy now at Amazon Read...

All you need to know New Zealand and the West Indies prepare to go again in Wellington after their epic draw in Christchurch. Read...

A digger was supposed to come and carve out the hole for Matthew Hawkes’ new swimming pool. Instead, he says, a bunch of schoolboys with shovels turned up. Read...

Dr David Squirrell died after injuring his head and neck while swimming at his home in Australia. Read...

Today, Microsoft will release December’s monthly patch for Windows 11. The last Patch Tuesday in 2025 will be huge, because according to Windows Central, there will be no fewer than 16 new features included in the update. get windows 11 pro for cheap Windows 11 Pro These include various design changes to important elements such as the Start menu, specific improvements to existing functions and completely new features. Let’s take a peek at all new features at a glance. 1. Visual improvement of the Windows search The Windows search field has been visually improved to match the height of the new Start menu design. This should eliminate some inconsistencies in the design. However, there is still the problem that the new Start menu covers large parts of the screen for many users. It remains to be seen whether Microsoft will address this concern going forward. 2. New “Share with Copilot” feature in the taskbar Microsoft’s Copilot AI is also making its way into Windows 11, this time in the taskbar, where the “Share with Copilot” option will soon appear. You will then see a thumbnail of the app you are currently using and can quickly start a conversation with the chatbot via Copilot Vision. In addition, the transition between apps in the taskbar should be smoother when you move the mouse pointer over them. 3. Changes to Windows Spotlight for the desktop Windows Spotlight, the feature for dynamically changing background images in Windows 11, is also receiving improvements. You can right-click on the desktop to change the background more quickly. There is also the “Explore background” option, which provides more information about the background. 4. Option to disable Drag Tray Microsoft is introducing the option to disable Drag Tray more easily. This normally allows you to select files and drag them to the top of the screen to display options for direct sharing. However, many users found this annoying. After the update, you can deactivate Drag Tray under Settings > System > Nearby sharing . 5. Better dark mode in File Explorer There is also something for fans of dark modes. The dark mode of File Explorer has been improved and given a more uniform design in dialogue windows, for example for copying or moving. The confirmation dialogues and other views are also being adapted. However, it is still possible that some elements do not correspond to the new design or that the File Explorer briefly flashes white on startup. Microsoft will continue to work on this. Windows Central 6. New device information card in the Start settings If you are looking for information about your device, you no longer have to click through menus. This is because a new tab called “Device information” appears right on the start page of the settings, which displays information about your PC’s processor, memory, RAM and graphics card, among other things. 7. Settings for mobile devices in the settings A new configuration menu for mobile devices appears in the Windows 11 Settings app. Here you can add new devices, access the settings of connected mobile devices or remove a device from your account. It’s simple and straightforward. 8. Redesign of the info page Microsoft is also changing the look of the info page with the December update. It will now only contain a thumbnail view of the desktop background with an option to rename your computer. Some sections will also be renamed or receive new entries with further information. 9. Advanced settings with virtual workspaces Changes are also being made to the “Advanced” section. It contains a new page called “Virtual Workspaces”, where you can manage virtualization functions such as the Windows Sandbox or protected hosts. 10. Settings for Bluetooth keyboards and text cursors Under Settings > Bluetooth and devices > Keyboard you will find new options for keyboards and text cursors after the patch. For example, the keyboard repetition rate, reassignment of the copilot key or accessibility. 11. New default configuration for Quick Machine Recovery Since September, users have been able to use Quick Machine Recovery to quickly restore Windows 11. Microsoft is improving the default setting for this option in December to make it easier to use. The new configuration only searches for solutions once and then prevents the user from using other options to resolve the problem. This should prevent the computer from continuing to search for solutions in a kind of continuous loop instead of offering targeted help. 12. Redesign of the widgets board On Tuesday, Windows 11 will introduce a new widgets board with a more consistent design. The new widgets will be more clearly separated from the Discover board and will no longer use a page overlay. Notifications will also be displayed with an icon of the board to which they belong. Windows Central 13. Haptic feedback for digital pens Windows 11 devices with touch function receive haptic feedback for the use of pens in the form of vibrations. These accompany the interaction with certain elements, for example when closing windows. 14. New “Click to execute” action menu Copilot PCs have a new context menu called “Click to execute”. Actions such as open, save, copy or share are arranged in this menu. There is also a new input field that allows you to access Copilot more quickly. 15. Xbox full screen mode for more handheld devices The new Xbox Full Screen Mode is now available on more devices. Until now, users could only use it on the Asus ROG Ally and Ally X, but now the full-screen experience in console design can also be used on normal PCs. Navigation should be much easier and smoother, especially with a controller. The mode also reduces the resource consumption of the desktop and saves up to 2GB of memory. You can activate the mode under Settings > Gaming > Full screen experience and then apply the change by restarting. 16. Windows Studio Effects for external cameras If you have a Copilot PC, you can also extend the AI-powered camera features of Windows Studio Effects to secondary cameras. This includes USB webcams and integrated rear cameras. In addition to the new features, the December patch of Windows 11 will also contain some bug fixes and closed security gaps. As always, we will report on these in a separate article. Exclusive: get windows 11 pro for cheap Windows 11 Pro Read...

It’s time to get that monitor upgrade you’ve been putting off because, let’s face it, you could really use a better display with a proper high-res resolution for the modern era. Your eyes deserve it and they’ll thank you for it. Fortunately, it doesn’t have to break the bank if you act fast: Samsung’s brilliant 32-inch 4K ViewFinity monitor is on sale for just $200 on Amazon right now, a massive 41% off its retail price. View this Amazon deal If you’ve been using a plain old 1080p monitor for years, upgrading to this 4K screen will deliver four times the pixels. And if you’ve been on a dinky 21-inch or 24-inch monitor, then this 32-incher will be a significant step up. With both aspects combined, you’re looking at a huge bump up in screen real estate for browsing sites, reading PDFs, split-screening apps and browser tabs, and immersive video streaming. Indeed, Samsung’s 4K ViewFinity UJ59 is ideal for productivity multitaskers who have tons of apps to juggle. And it’s especially nice if you use one monitor with two devices, as the built-in Picture-by-Picture mode lets you view both sources on screen at once. Very useful! This monitor is okay for gaming, too. With just 60Hz of refresh, it won’t knock your socks off and isn’t the best option for a full-blown gaming PC or laptop that can push serious pixels. But that 60Hz refresh rate is fine for casual gaming, bolstered further by the 4ms response time for low input lag and AMD FreeSync for minimal screen tearing. Get this 32-inch Samsung ViewFinity 4K monitor for $200 before this deal runs out because it’s worth every penny at this price! Save 41% on Samsung`s 32-inch 4K monitor for productivity and immersionBuy now at Amazon Read...

One of the best things you can get for your sanity and your device’s health is a good charger block—something fast, something versatile, something with safety features like temperature monitoring. The Ugreen Nexode is a great option, especially now that it’s on sale for $34 on Amazon. That’s not only a lovely 38% discount off its MSRP, but also the lowest price I’ve ever seen for this model. View this Amazon deal This is a multi-port power adapter that’ll make you forget all about juggling multiple chargers and adapters, which can be a huge inconvenience whether you’re at home or traveling to hotels, Airbnbs, etc. With four ports—three USB-C and one USB-A—you can charge up to four devices at once, everything from phones to tablets to earbuds to headphones, all at the same time. And with a max output of 100 watts, it’s even enough to charge a lightweight laptop. (Ugreen claims it can charge a MacBook Air up to 55% in just half an hour.) Built with GaN technology, this charger is better than older power adapters because it’s smaller (fits in the palm of your hand), faster, and more efficient (produces less heat). The foldable plugs make it ideal for travel as your other gadgets won’t get scratched up in your bag, nor will the prongs catch and potentially break. The GaN tech also brings in plenty of safety features and dynamic temperature sensors. Now, there’s only one catch with this deal: it’s a Prime-exclusive discount. But it’s okay if you don’t have Prime yet—you can still score this all-new low price with a free 30-day Prime trial. Start your trial and grab this compact 4-port USB-C charger for $34 before this deal expires! Save 38% on this versatile and fast USB power adapter for 4 devicesBuy now at Amazon Read...