The purchases, the billionaire`s first since 2020, boost his investment in the firm. Read...

In the latest beta of Microsoft’s Edge browser (version 141.0.3537.13), there’s an interesting new AI-powered feature for real-time translation of video clips. The translation can produce both subtitles as well as audio. According to Windows Latest, the translation happens more or less live. However, given that it’s powered by the latest AI technology, you’ll need to have a reasonably powerful computer for this feature—at least 12GB of RAM and at least a quad-core CPU. (Note that if you assign that much memory to Edge, other apps will slow to a crawl while translating.) The biggest problem with this real-time audio translation feature right now is that the AI-generated audio can suddenly switch between male and female voices when the tone of voice changes. Furthermore, translation language support is extremely limited, with only English, Spanish, and Korean currently supported. However, the plan is to add more languages in the future. Read...

Optical drives no longer come pre-installed in most PCs and laptops, yet they’re still indispensable for many users. Whether for playing old DVDs, installing ancient software from CDs, or burning data backups, an external CD/DVD drive is an extremely simple yet practical accessory. The Amicool External CD/DVD Drive is currently available on Amazon with a limited-time deal price: normally $28.99, you can grab it right now for just $18.99. That’s a lovely 34 percent discount on a useful gadget that’ll open up possibilities for your PC or laptop. With over 10,000 units purchased in the last month alone and a 4.3 rating with over 9,600 reviews, it’s a clear winner—especially at this price. What this drive has to offer Amicool’s external CD/DVD drive supports USB 3.0 and therefore offers fast data transfers of up to 5 Gbps. It’s also backwards compatible with USB 2.0 and 1.0 ports. It’s technically USB-A, but it also comes with a USB-C adapter so you can use it with newer laptops. You don’t need any additional software or power—it’s fully plug and play. All common formats are supported, from CD-R and DVD-RW to DVD-RAM. Writing to different media formats is also possible. With read speeds of up to 24x for CDs and 8x for DVDs and write speeds of up to 24x for CD-R, this drive offers solid value. The performance is sufficient for users who occasionally want to burn or read old discs. The drive case is slim, lightweight, and portable, and the built-in connection cable can be stowed away within the housing, making the device practical for traveling. This makes it suitable not only for use in the office or at home, but also when travelling. Why this drive is worth it If you still use CDs or DVDs regularly—or don’t yet but plan on building up a physical media collection in the future—the Amicool External CD/DVD Drive is an inexpensive and practical option.ne of the most interesting external DVD drives on the market. In reviews, buyers praise the uncomplicated usage and broad compatibility with both Windows and Mac systems. The drive is small, handy, and gets the job done reliably. The price-performance is especially good, providing a functional everyday device at a great price. Note, however, the manufacturer points out that this USB drive is not suitable for use with phones, tablets, TVs, car systems, or Blu-ray players. Save 34% on this nifty external CD/DVD drive that connects via USBBuy now on Amazon Read...

Microsoft has begun testing a new feature in Windows 11 that changes how Xbox controllers work in the operating system, reports The Verge. Holding the Xbox button now opens the Windows Task View—a surprisingly useful feature more people should use—making it easier to switch between apps and games. Meanwhile, a short press of the button will still open the Game Bar as it did before, while a longer press will still switch off the Xbox controller. This new feature is currently being tested in the Windows 11 Insider build on the Dev Channel and is expected to become generally available to all Windows 11 users in the coming months once tested. The change is believed to be related to Microsoft’s push into handheld gaming PCs, with Asus’ upcoming ROG Xbox Ally models getting a dedicated activity window. However, it isn’t yet clear whether the same interface will come to all Windows 11 computers. Read...

I used to spend upwards of $10 on cans of compressed air for cleaning my PC and accessories—and every time I bought one, I’d always eye the electric air dusters in envious consideration. I knew it made financial sense to spend $30 up front to never buy compressed air again, but it was tough to justify spending that much just to blow out dust. But eventually I folded. I hated going back to buy yet another can every few months, racking up a bill for basically nothing… so I bit the bullet and bought this 2-in-1 cordless air duster and vacuum. (Actually, mine’s not available anymore, but the one I linked is nearly the same.) Jon Martindale / Foundry And let me tell you: it was $35 well spent. It’s as gloriously over the top as I’d hoped and far more effective than I’d expected. I’ll never have to buy cans of compressed air ever again, and my only regret is that I didn’t buy it sooner. Plus, it’s also a vacuum! What a bonus. It’s better than cans of compressed air Compressed air is great at cleaning inside computers, under keyboard keys, and inside any other nooks and crannies that are either too tight or too sensitive for your typical vacuum cleaner. But compressed air has its quirks. It’s hard to control the strength of each puff, making it feel almost arbitrary—you never know exactly how far you need to hold the can when blowing on certain components. It also has the habit of spitting out liquid propellant if you spray too long, it doesn’t last very long, and you have to keep buying more when it runs out. That’s bad for the environment and your wallet. An electric air duster doesn’t have that problem… and it often comes as a 2-in-1 device with vacuum capabilities. My Whatook air duster and vacuum can blow and suck at an impressive rate, making it useful for not just dusting things off but actively removing dirt and debris. Would you rather blow around the dust inside your PC case or suck it out? Before (left) and after (right). It’s not perfect, but it makes a real difference.Jon Martindale / Foundry The fact that it’s consistent means it can be more useful. You can happily blast away at a huge 480mm radiator with abandon, knowing that if it runs out of battery you can just charge it up again. No need to use quick bursts to avoid condensing propellant on your electronics or to save what little air the can has left for other jobs. You can use it how an air duster is supposed to be used: with all the powah! Yomile 2-in-1 Cordless Duster and Vacuum Best Prices Today: $33.24 at Amazon It’s more effective than expected Seriously, I laughed out loud the first time I used this on my graphics card and CPU AIO radiator. The amount of dust that came out was ridiculous. I wipe them down often and usually do a good job of keeping my dust filters clear enough to keep my PC as dust-free as possible. But with this 2-in-1 electric air duster, I really gave them a good clean. The vacuum attachment is nice. But it’s primarily a blower, not a sucker.Jon Martindale / Foundry It doesn’t remove caked-on dust, so just as you wouldn’t use compressed air to remove that kind of grime, know that this cordless vacuum isn’t going to magically clean it either. But for surfaces that are tricky to clear out, like between heatsink fins and fan shrouds? It’s perfect. I love this thing. It feels like it’d be a one-time-use gimmick, but it’s really the opposite of that. It saves me money, it’s fun to use, and it’s quite effective at its job. I recommend it to all PC owners. Forget the cans. Get this 2-in-1 cordless air duster and vacuum insteadBuy now on Amazon Read...

Within the next six months AI will be playing a pivotal part in the processing of mortgage applications for Loan Market. Read...

Trauma Cover Part Two: Are we thinking things through or just doing what we have always done? A riposte. Read...

We’re at the 30-day mark before Windows 10’s end of support date finally lands, and Microsoft is once again trying to put pressure on the still-large number of active Windows 10 users. The company recently published a “30-day reminder” that Windows 10 version 22H2 (including Enterprise and Education Editions) will reach the end of its support period on October 14th, 2025: 30-Day Reminder: Windows 10, version 22H2 will reach end of servicing on October 14, 2025 On October 14, 2025, Windows 10, version 22H2 (Home, Pro, Enterprise, Education, and IoT Enterprise editions) will reach end of servicing. October 14, 2025 will also mark the end of support for Windows 10 2015 LTSB and Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSB 2015. The October 2025 monthly security update will be the last update available for these versions. After this date, devices running these versions will no longer receive monthly security and preview updates containing protections from the latest security threats. However, Microsoft also wants Windows home users to know that there’s the opportunity to receive extended support for another 12 months with Microsoft’s Extended Security Update (ESU) program. All in all, if you’re still actively using Windows 10, the deadline is almost here. What should you do? Here are all your options: Extend Windows 10’s support period Windows 10 users have three ways to continue receiving security updates for their operating system for another year: Method #1: Activate Windows backup (free). This will synchronize your Windows settings to the cloud, with OneDrive serving as the cloud storage service. You’ll need a Microsoft account for this. Free OneDrive accounts get 5GB of storage space. Method #2: Redeem 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points (“free”). After enrolling in Microsoft’s free Rewards program, you can earn points for things like using Bing Search, shopping on the Microsoft Store, using the Edge browser, and completing quests on the Xbox platform. You’ll need a Microsoft account for this. Method #3: Pay $30 to extend the support period. This option is available in non-US countries, but pricing may vary. Separate from these methods is another unofficial method that involves using a free tool called UpDownTool to put yourself on a special version of Windows 10 that’ll keep getting security updates until 2032. The only catch is that it’s Windows 10 LTSC 2021. Upgrade to Windows 11 Microsoft’s favored solution is, of course, for you to start using Windows 11 either by upgrading your existing Windows 10 PC or buying a new PC with Windows 11 already loaded on it. If you choose this route, there are some caveats to note. For instance, some PCs just aren’t eligible for Windows 11. There are also lots of differences between Windows 10 and Windows 11, which may or may not be deal-breakers for you. Fortunately, while upgrading to Windows 11 is a big step, it might be a lot easier than you think. If you end up going with Windows 11, make sure to read our articles on Windows 11 settings that should always be changed and free apps that make Windows 11 feel like Windows 10. Switch to Linux or Chromebook If you absolutely love Windows 10 and can’t stomach the idea of migrating to Windows 11, you might take this opportunity to switch out of the Windows ecosystem altogether. To switch to Linux, you can try something like Plasma KDE, which is trying to cater to Windows 10 switchers. There are other Linux distros for Windows users as well, including the popular ones Linux Mint, Zorin OS, and Wubuntu. If you’re going this route, see our guide on how to switch from Windows 10 to Linux smoothly and our favorite Linux apps for Windows switchers. Alternatively, if your Windows 10 needs are simple and straightforward, you might opt for using Chromebooks instead. If you’re reluctant, make sure you read our breakdown of common Chromebook myths and misconceptions that aren’t true. To get started, check out our roundup of the best Chromebooks worth getting. Read...

Cramming all the bombastic excess of a “battlestation” gaming desktop into a portable package is not a new idea. The latest version of it is certainly turning heads over on Kickstarter, where a design for a dual-screen gaming laptop with a true mechanical keyboard has already surpassed its funding target. But I am wary — I think this design might be impossible for its purported starting price. The Krayzor laptop in the Kickstarter is certainly impressive, with a secondary full-width touchscreen and similar to the Asus Zephyrus Duo design, a Core i9-12900K processor, RTX 4060 graphics card, and a full mechanical keyboard. And I mean a really mechanical keyboard, as in full-height Cherry-style switches and hot-swap sockets, supporting standard keycaps and RGB. There’s also three full-sized turning knobs, all in service of a machine that can game and handle serious media production. It seems like the creators are taking another stab at the Acer Predator 21x design. And I should say that the hardware shown off in the Kickstarter video certainly looks possible, at least in purely electronic terms. While it’s possible that some video flim-flammery is in effect, all those parts should at least fit in a chunky 16-inch laptop frame, even if the battery will last about an hour while you’re playing Cyberpunk. Note the extra space between the main body and the screen making room for those tall switches and keycaps, and the somewhat older specs (12th-gen Intel processor, last-gen Nvidia card). No, what gives me pause is the price. Right now the cheapest backer option that I can select is 6632 Hong Kong dollars, $853 USD, according to Kickstarter’s currency converter. That’s without memory or storage. You can add on 16GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD for $190 USD, or double both of them for $259. Frankly a sub-$1000 USD price for this kind of hardware, not to mention a lot of custom engineering even if all those various components are “off the shelf” from suppliers, seems incredibly ambitious for a “December 2025” launch date. To say nothing of the idea that all taxes and customs fees are apparently included by the Shenzen-based manufacturer, and this is its first Kickstarter campaign. Even with those older specs, I’d expect to pay something in the range of $1500 for this laptop at a minimum. For a bit of context, you’re going to spend at least $3000 on that dual-screen Asus design, and that’s with the much more established company’s distribution and economies of scale. To be blunt, I don’t think this price is possible for this kind of hardware. And as Kickstarter itself warns right on every bnacker page, “Rewards aren’t guaranteed.” Since this campaign is already fully funded past its modest $643 goal, Krayzor will be paid when the campaign ends in a little under three weeks, baring some kind of disaster. Whether you’ll see an all-out, insanely overdesigned laptop in your hands before the end of the year…well, I wouldn’t hold my breath. I’d love to be wrong about this, but I’ve seen too many crowdfunding campaigns buckle under the weight of reality before delivering a final product. Read...

Pedro Sánchez says Israel should be treated in the same way as Russia over its war in Ukraine. Read...