Macworld Apple on Thursday announced its second quarter 2024 earnings, posting revenue of $90.8 billion for the quarter, a 4 percent decline year over year, and quarterly earnings per diluted share of $1.53, which is one cent higher than last year. Apple beat the analysts’ predicted revenue of $90 billion and earnings per diluted share of $1.50. iPhone sales, which usually buoy Apple’s results, took a huge hit this quarter, posting $46 billion in revenue for the quarter, which is a 10.3 decrease from the second quarter of 2023. Wearables, Home, and Accessories revenue was also down 9 percent. iPad sales were also down 16 percent. Apple’s Services saw a jump in revenue YoY of 15 percent, while Mac sales increased about 4 percent. “During the quarter, we were thrilled to launch Apple Vision Pro and to show the world the potential that spatial computing unlocks,” said Apple CEO Tim Cook in a press release. “We’re also looking forward to an exciting product announcement next week and an incredible Worldwide Developers Conference next month. As always, we are focused on providing the very best products and services for our customers, and doing so while living up to the core values that drive us.” How the quarter ended YoY for Apple: iPhone: $46 billion (down from $51.3 billion) iPad: $5.6 billion (down from $6.7 billion) Mac: $7.5 billion (up from $7.2 billion) Wearables: $7.9 billion (down from $8.7 billion) Services: $23.9 billion (up from $20.9 billion) Apple declared a cash dividend of $0.25 per share of common stock payable on May 16, 2024 to shareholders of record at the close of business on May 13, 2024. Apple also authorized an additional program to repurchase up to $110 billion of common stock. Apple is holding its “Let Loose” event on May 7 and is expected to reveal new iPad models and accessories. Learn how you can watch the “Let Loose” event. Apple Inc
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Macworld Sending your iPhone in for repair was always a little nerve-wracking. Not just because you no longer have access to what may be the most important gadget in your life, but because you never know if it’s safe. Apple’s recommended procedure for preparing your device for service is to back up your phone, turn off Apple Cash, remove all cards from Wallet, and then remove your iPhone from Find My. This also removes Activation Lock. The fine print says, “Apple might not be able to service your device if Find My isn’t turned off.” It’s all very worrying and not the smooth and seamless experience we’re used to from Apple. That’s about to change, it seems. MacRumors found a new feature in iOS 17.5 (currently in beta) that allows you to set your iPhone to a “Repair State” in which it remains fully functional and has Find My and Activation Lock enabled but still does whatever Apple needs to repair your iPhone. When you go to Find My, then your Devices list, and choose “Remove This Device” on your iPhone with iOS 17.5, you’ll get a message that says “Cannot remove iPhone. Prepare this device for repair?” Choosing Continue will retain your device’s functionality and it can be tracked via Find My. It will have a stethoscope icon next to it in the device list. Foundry Foundry Foundry The feature is currently limited to iOS, but it makes sense that Apple would expand it to other devices, including the Apple Watch and Mac. Allowing users to track their devices as they’re sent in for repair, and keeping Activation Lock enabled, should hopefully give users a lot more piece of mind that it won’t get stolen. iOS
Video editing can put quite a heavy burden on any computer. So, when shopping for a laptop for video editing, you’ll want to make sure you’re loading up on enough heavy hardware firepower to get the job done. While you might not need the absolute top-of-the-line gear, simply buying a gaming laptop and calling it a day is probably not going to cut it. Beyond just processor and graphics performance, serious video editors need to take into account a few things such as the quality of the display, port selection, and onboard storage capacity. Why you should trust us: PCWorld has been covering PCs since 1983, and reviews more than 70 notebooks a year in our never-ending quest to find the best laptops. Our expert reviewers evaluate every machine using a combination of performance benchmarks and rigorous usability standards, with an eye toward identifying the best laptops for specific needs and at various price points. We also edit lots of videos ourselves, with the results appearing on PCWorld’s YouTube channel. Take a look at our top picks for video editing below, followed by buying advice and more details about our testing process. If you’re on a budget or just looking to save some money, you may also want to check out our daily roundup of the best laptop deals to scope out any discounts on content creation notebooks. Update May 2, 2024: We added the Samsung Galaxy Book4 Ultra as the Best Laptop for Video Editing (if you don’t need 4K). We’ve also updated our list of recent laptop reviews and added a new “at a glance” section below. Best laptops for video editing at a glance Dell XPS 17 (Best laptop for video editing), $1,649 at Dell Samsung Galaxy Book4 Ultra (Best laptop for video editing if you don’t need 4K), $2,399.99 at Samsung Apple MacBook Pro (Best MacBook for video editing), $1,799 at B&H Asus TUF Gaming A16 Advantage Edition (Best budget laptop for video editing), $955 at Amazon Razer Blade 14 (Best ultraportable laptop for video editing), $2,699.99 at B&H The best laptops for video editing Dell XPS 17 (2023) – Best laptop for video editing Pros Expansive 17-inch 16:10 display Thin chassis Incredible battery life Cons Expensive 720p webcam Price When Reviewed: From $2,449 | Model reviewed $3,099 Best Prices Today: $2199 at Dell$2899.99 at Best Buy$3,552.99 at Amazon Why we like the Dell XPS 17 (2023) The Dell XPS 17 (2023) is a fantastic laptop for content creation because it has a gigantic display and a good amount of graphics firepower. The OLED touch display, which measures a massive 17-inches, features a crystal clear resolution of 3840×2400 and a maximum brightness of 550 nits. It’s perfect for media editing, multitasking, and so much more. The machine is also powered by an Intel Core i7-13700H CPU and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070, which means it’s more than capable of handling any video editing you throw at it. The specific configuration we reviewed will cost you well[…]
At a GlanceExpert's Rating ProsStrong antivirus protectionWide protection against major online threatsSimple, straightforward featuresConsPerformance impact on some PCsUser interface would benefit from consolidationUpselling of additional servicesOur VerdictIts interface is a bit unruly, but overall Norton 360 Deluxe offers strong antivirus protection and an excellent spread of protective features that include a password manager, VPN access, automated cloud backups, and Dark Web Monitoring. PCs with modest hardware can experience a performance hit during scans, however—something to consider if you often work heavily with new or altered files. Price When Reviewed$49.99 for the first year Best Prices Today: Norton 360 Deluxe Retailer Price PCWorld Software Store $19.99 View Deal $49.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Of Norton’s offerings, the Norton 360 Deluxe plan hits an ideal sweet spot of wide protection and affordable pricing. It’s an excellent all-in-one solution for those who would otherwise be more lax about security if they had to maintain each piece separately. For example, if you’re more likely to use a password manager if it’s part of same user interface as your antivirus, then all the better. Not much is outwardly different still since we last reviewed Norton 360 Deluxe, though the company continues to work on and evolve its back end. Arguably, that’s the more important focus, especially as AI enables bad actors to be more sophisticated with malicious behavior. What has changed is other rival antivirus companies joined with Norton under a single owner. Parent company Gen Digital now owns Avast, AVG, and Avira in addition to Norton, and during a press briefing, Gen shared plans to power all its antivirus software with a single engine and focus more on the features offered by each of its brands. That’s welcome news, because Norton 360 Deluxe’s main Achilles heel isn’t its performance, but rather, how it presents its features to users. And that’s a drag on an otherwise excellent product. Further reading: See our roundup of the best antivirus software for Windows PCs to learn about competing products. What does Norton 360 Deluxe include? Norton groups its many plans under two main umbrellas: Antivirus and All-in-One, with notable overlap in features. Though access to more online protections is always good, keeping the options straight can get a little overwhelming. Norton 360 Deluxe offers a wide range of features for its price. Norton 360 Deluxe offers a wide range of features for its price.PCWorld Norton 360 Deluxe offers a wide range of features for its price.PCWorld PCWorld Norton 360 Deluxe stands out among the bunch as an all-in-one plan that protects against major online threats, without extras you may not need, like identity theft assistance. Protections against online threats includes antivirus, malware, and ransomware detection, a built-in firewall, malicious link and attachment screening, dark web and privacy monitoring, and webcam safeguards. You also get 50GB of storage for cloud backups, access to Norton’s password manager and VPN, parental controls, and PC utilities that include the ability to[…]
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This March, in response to Texas’s age-verification law being upheld, the ultra-popular PornHub and numerous other adult sites operated by parent company Aylo went dark in the state. Replacing the NSFW videos you’d normally expect to see, a message decrying government overreach and proposed compromises has been posted. It’s a similar chain of events to what happened last year when Utah enacted a law requiring websites to verify the ages of users. Editor’s note: Updated May 2, 2024 with new information about Supreme Court’s refusal to hear the case against governmental overreach. Pornhub’s official statement to those trying to access its content in Texas. No further comment about how I obtained this screenshot. Pornhub’s official statement to those trying to access its content in Texas. No further comment about how I obtained this screenshot. Sam Singleton Pornhub’s official statement to those trying to access its content in Texas. No further comment about how I obtained this screenshot. Sam Singleton Sam Singleton And as with Utah, Texas’s actions prompted an increased interest in virtual private networks, or VPNs. Google searches for “VPN” immediately skyrocketed in Texas as folks looked to circumvent the ban. I checked Google Trends myself and, yep, Texas now shows 100 percent interest for “VPN.” A screenshot of Google Trends on March 14, 2024 showing VPN search interest in Texas at 100. A screenshot of Google Trends on March 14, 2024 showing VPN search interest in Texas at 100. Sam Singleton A screenshot of Google Trends on March 14, 2024 showing VPN search interest in Texas at 100. Sam Singleton Sam Singleton Now, to add further dismay to the NSFW crowd, the Supreme Court refused to hear a case in April brought by the Free Speech Coalition, a pornography industry trade group. The Coalition, as well as several other companies, petitioned the Court on the grounds of free speech. Unfortunately, the justices turned down the request, further cementing the government’s commitment to abstinence…whoops, I meant safety. We might not be experts on law, but we sure know VPNs here at PCWorld! While we would never encourage circumventing any laws, if you’re a resident of Texas who just so happens to be looking for a VPN for totally legal reasons, here are some especially choice picks, culled from our roundup of the best VPN services. Happy surfing, y’all! (But not too happy). ExpressVPN ExpressVPN Read our review Price When Reviewed: $6.67 per month Best Prices Today: $6.67 at ExpressVPN ExpressVPN is our best overall pick for VPNs and for good reason. You’ll get a ton of features for your money including wide-device support, ad- and tracker-blocking, and plenty of servers located both domestically and internationally to choose from. It’s also one of the fastest VPNs we’ve ever tested, meaning you won’t have to downgrade your video quality to something that makes it look like the important bits were blurred on purpose—we’re talking about those fine special effect details in the latest Avatar: The Last Airbender series, of course. NordVPN[…]
Macworld It’s been a month since the release of iOS 17.4, which introduced a few minor tweaks (like new emojis) for all users, but it has a massive change to app distribution for those in the European Union. In compliance with the Digital Markets Act, that version allowed alternate app stores, changed policies and terms around apps, browsers that use their own engines, and more. Typically, a new iOS version is followed almost immediately by a beta of the next point release, so the month-long absence of any iOS beta is a strange occurrence. We expect the beta to continue for at least a few weeks; the final release of iOS 17.5 might not even come until May. Update May 2: MacRumors has found a new “repair state” function in iOS 17.5. What’s new in iOS 17.5 We don’t know everything that we can expect in iOS 17.5 as there are no patch notes yet, but we keep this section updated with significant new features and changes as they are discovered. Repair state: A new function that lets you set your iPhone into a “repair state” that allows it to be fixed without removing Activation Lock or removing your phone from Find My. App downloads from websites (EU only): Another feature in compliance with the EU’s Digital Markets Act, iOS 17.5 enables users to download apps directly from websites. In order to offer these downloads, developers need to clear significant hurdles (including being a registered developer for two years and having existing apps with more than a million downloads in the prior year). Unwanted item tracking: According to 9to5Mac, the 17.5 beta includes references to a new anti-stalking feature that works with third-party trackers as well as AirTags. The new language in the Find My app reads: “This item isn’t certified on the Apple Find My network. You can disable this item and stop it from sharing its location with the owner.” New Apple Pencil and squeeze gesture (iPadOS only): MacRumors has found code within the iPadOS 17.5 beta that references a new “V4” Apple Pencil and a potential new “squeeze” gesture for certain actions. A new Apple Pencil has been rumored to be on the way at the same time as a new iPad Pro and iPad Air, which may launch in May. iOS 17.5: How to install the public beta If you want to be among the first to install iOS 17.5, you can sign up for the public beta and get the release candidate now. The process for installing a beta has changed in iOS 16.4. Here’s how the new process works now: Click Sign Up on the Apple Beta page and register with your Apple ID. Log in to the Beta Software Program. Click Enroll your iOS device. Open the Settings app, tap General, then Software Update. In the Beta Updates section, select the iOS Public Beta. It may take a few moments after registering for the beta option to appear in Software Update. iOS 17.5:[…]
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For World Password Day, Microsoft is doing something I can appreciate: helping get rid of them. Today, the company said that all Microsoft consumer accounts will be passkey enabled. Adios, passwords! What’s a passkey? It replaces passwords by combining something you have (such as a phone, a physical security key, or your password manager) with either something you know (a PIN number) or something you are, using biometric security. On Windows, that means using a fingerprint reader or webcam with Windows Hello. “Starting today, you can use a passkey to sign in to Microsoft apps and websites, including Microsoft 365 and Copilot on desktop and mobile browsers,” Microsoft said in a blog post. You’ll be able to log into mobile Microsoft apps in the coming weeks. I love passkeys. Windows Hello was one of the best additions ever made to Windows, and most people are now accustomed to unlocking their phone or PC with their fingerprint or face. (A PIN, assuming you’ve set one up, serves as a backup in case your device doesn’t recognize you.) To set up passkeys on your Windows device, you can follow this Microsoft-supplied link. You’ll need to log in using an existing authentication method, such as your password or Microsoft authenticator. But the setup process links Windows Hello to your Microsoft account, so you should be able to log in to your Microsoft account page, Outlook on the Web, and so on. The only catch, if it truly is one, is that you must set up a passkey for each device you own. One part of passkey authentication remains on the app or site that you’re trying to log in to; the other part remains on your device. Both are needed to unlock your data. It’s a little less convenient than a single password that can be stored in the cloud or in one of our recommended password managers, but requiring two keys, rather than one, is more secure. Migrating passkeys from PC to PC isn’t something that’s currently available. If you’re a business user — or, like some of us, straddle a work and personal environment — you’ll need to ask your IT department to enable passkeys for corporate devices. Microsoft uses its Entra ID technology to manage this. Tying the entirety of your personal life to your face or fingerprint does carry some risks, especially if you’re incapacitated for some reason and someone tries to take advantage. But for most people, in most situations, passkeys seem like an easy, secure, authentication method that I’d like to see more of. Further reading: I’m ditching my passwords—and you should too Security Software and Services, Windows
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The best USB-C hubs are designed to expand your laptop’s capabilities, allowing you to connect legacy printers, mice, and keyboards via a dongle that connects to your laptop’s USB-C port. Each of my USB-C hub recommendations contains a variety of ports (including USB-A ports, HDMI, and more) that allow you to connect legacy devices like USB memory keys, display connectors, and more to your laptop. Our recommendations dive into the benefits of each dongle, which we’ve tested and reviewed, with new picks for 2024. I’ve organized my USB-C recommendations this way: traditional USB-C hubs on top, followed by my picks for the best USB-C docking stations. The latter are a bit bulkier, but tend to offer more connections. I’ll also introduce you to DisplayLink docks, an improved version that offers hardware-based compression to move more data over the USB-C port. More advanced features lie within the best Thunderbolt docks, which I’ve listed separately. It can all be a little confusing, so I’ve included an expanded FAQ and a buying guide below my recommendations to help you make sense of it all. A USB-C hub connects to the USB-C port on the side of your laptop. In this example, the left port is used for charging, so you’d need to buy a USB-C hub with a charging input to use with this slot. (Of course, you could also buy a hub without charging capabilities and use it in the other USB-C port, to the right of the charging port.) A USB-C hub connects to the USB-C port on the side of your laptop. In this example, the left port is used for charging, so you’d need to buy a USB-C hub with a charging input to use with this slot. (Of course, you could also buy a hub without charging capabilities and use it in the other USB-C port, to the right of the charging port.) A USB-C hub connects to the USB-C port on the side of your laptop. In this example, the left port is used for charging, so you’d need to buy a USB-C hub with a charging input to use with this slot. (Of course, you could also buy a hub without charging capabilities and use it in the other USB-C port, to the right of the charging port.) Why you should trust me: I’ve written about technology for 30 years, and have compiled this roundup of the best USB-C hubs and dongles since 2022, when I started reviewing dozens of these products. I also offer related recommendations for the best Thunderbolt docks, so I understand exactly how complex the simple USB-C port can be and what technology works best with it. Few if any publications will even write about, let alone review, DisplayLink docks, which also provide an inexpensive yet powerful alternative to a USB-C hub. I review those as well. It’s a niche that I know quite a bit about. Updated April 26, 2024: My most recent review is Satechi’s Dual USB-C Surface Pro 9 Hub, which is[…]
Macworld The Studio Display is more than a pretty monitor—it’s also loaded with high-end features you won’t find anywhere else, including a FaceTime camera, spatial audio, and three built-in USB-C ports. All that comes at a price, but today it’s cheaper than it’s ever been: Amazon is selling the 27-inch Apple Studio Display for $1,300, a savings of $299 and the best price we’ve ever seen. The Studio Display is a fantastic monitor with a 5K Retina display sporting 600 nits of brightness, True Tone, and a P3 wide color gamut. Inside its thin bezels, you’ll find a built-in 12MP ultra-wide camera with Center Stage support, as well as a six-speaker sound system with Spatial Audio, and three USB-C ports with 96W of power delivery for fast-charging a MacBook. In our 4-star review, we liked the Studio Display as “an affordable alternative to the Pro Display XDR,” but didn’t love its high price. This deal fixes that and at this price, it gets our full recommendation—especially if you want to pair it with a Mac mini, which is also on sale for $499 ($100 off). So go grab one before limited time deal shoots back up. Mac
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No matter how much of my stuff I transition to cloud storage, every once in a while I still need to use ye olde sneakernet. And this deal is probably the best I’ve ever seen in terms of bang for your buck. Today Amazon has a SanDisk 512GB flash drive, using a crazy-fast USB 3.2 connection, for just $32.99. That’s almost two-thirds off the original $90 MSRP, and half the current price for the same drive at Best Buy. 512GB is a huge amount of storage for removable media, but you can find it cheaper elsewhere. What makes this deal so appealing to me is the speed. When inserted into a compatible USB 3.2 port, this thing can read at up to 130 megabytes per second. That’ll let you copy, say, your entire 122-gigabyte Baldur’s Gate III installation off the drive in about sixteen minutes. It’s more than three times faster than a USB 3.0 flash drive (which is also much larger) going for around the same price. Throw in the teeny-tiny size, and it’s a fantastic deal — seriously, make use of that lanyard loop or you might just lose this thing in your bag. Also note that while the read speeds are great, the write speeds are considerably slower, around 44 megabytes per second according to the user reviews. If you need something faster and more capacious, you might want to step up to a dedicated portable SSD like the Samsung T7 Shield, which is still on sale. Get a 512GB SanDisk flash drive for $32.99 Computer Storage Devices
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Macworld It’s no secret that the iPhone is a valuable device, not just to Apple but also to many of its biggest competitors. According to unsealed court documents revealed in the antitrust trial between the Justice Department and Google, we now know exactly how valuable. As reported by Bloomberg, Apple’s senior vice president of services Eddy Cue admitted that the deal with Google to be the default search engine in the Safari browser netter Apple $20 billion in 2022, a staggering increase of over the roughly $15 billion in 2021. Figures for last year weren’t disclosed in the trial but they’re likely higher than $20 billion. It was also revealed in documents and testimony that Microsoft tried to usurp Google’s position by offering a staggering 90 percent of its advertising revenue with Apple to make Bing the default in Safari as well as other concessions including “hiding the Bing brand.” Microsoft CEO said default status on Safari is a “game-changing” position. But the deal is also lucrative to Apple. The document claims that Google’s payments to Apple for default search accounted for nearly 20 percent of Apple’s operating income in 2020 when payments were likely about half of what they are now. The government is expected to wrap up its case against Google with closing arguments this week and a decision in the case will likely arrive later this year. iPhone
In addition to being a pretty great device all on its own, the Steam Deck makes an ideal stream machine, playing either your own local games from a dedicated gaming PC or cloud games via a service like GeForce Now or Stadia (RIP, Stadia). But actually getting to the service using the Steam Deck’s console-style controls is a bit of a headache. Nvidia is fixing that with the latest update. GeForce Now Read our review Price When Reviewed: Free tier I Priority tier ($9.99/mo or $49.99/6 mo) I Ultimate tier ($19.99/mo or $99.99/6 mo) Best Prices Today: 9.99 at Nvidia The beta method is specifically for the Steam Deck, which can’t easily run the GeForce Now Windows application like the ROG Ally, MSI Claw, et cetera. The Steam Deck needs to use the browser version of GeForce Now, streaming games more or less like an embedded YouTube video. But booting up the browser and navigating to a web page isn’t what the Steam Deck’s library-focused interface is best at. Nvidia’s solution is more or less the same as loading up any non-Steam application into the Steam interface. On the GeForce Now Download page, you can scroll down to the Gaming Handheld Devices, and click “Get Started” under “Steam Deck (BETA).” Alternately, launch the Steam Deck’s desktop interface and navigate directly to gfn.link/download. It’ll download an “applet that will install a shortcut to GeForce Now right in your Steam library, making it as easy to launch as any other game. Not bad, not bad at all. Gaming Laptops
Macworld Maybe your Mac isn’t running as well as it used to. Maybe one or more of your apps are behaving strangely. Perhaps you are concerned about your privacy online or what companies and app developers know above you. All these are good reasons to clear the cache on your Mac. We are here to answer the question: How do I clear my cache on my Mac? So if you want to know how to clear cache on a Mac you’ve come to the right place! But before we run through how to do that we’ll explain what cache is, why you might benefit from deleting it, what cache you shouldn’t delete, and how you can delete your cache. What is cache? A cache is where data is stored to help your Mac speed up various processes. You have probably heard of the cache associated with web browsers. This cache contains the data that gets downloaded to your Mac and is saved so that the next time you visit the same website some of the data is already downloaded and it won’t take so long to load up the page. PROMOTIONCleanMyMac X | Clear your Mac’s disk Use CleanMyMac X to find hidden junk and free up the unseen cache files. Locatelarge old folders, background apps, and heavy memory consumers. Tune your Macfor maximum speed, and keep it malware-free and secure Download Free Edition Among other things, browser cache means you can browse the web faster, which sounds like a good thing, but there are quite a few disadvantages too. One disadvantage is the fact that you could find yourself browsing an old cached version of a webpage and another is that your browser cache–which includes cookies and trackers–can give websites and advertisers information about you as you browse the web. The latter may be a concern for privacy reasons. There are two other kinds of cache: system cache and application cache. Application cache, sometimes referred to as user cache, includes data associated with your apps that is saved so that it doesn’t have to be loaded up every time you use the application, this means your applications can work faster. Again, this sounds beneficial, but there are disadvantages. For example, if you work with high-resolution images, or large video files, your computer could be storing a lot of data related to the edits you make. Similarly, if you play games on your Mac you could find you are losing space to game saves. App data can take up a lot of space and if you are no longer using the app you are unlikely to require the cached data that could still lurk on your Mac. System cache, as you’d probably expect, is where the data created by macOS that helps your Mac run smoothly is stored. Because it’s connected to the operating system we would recommend against deleting anything from your system cache, unless you are using a specific tool to do so. Deleting data from any of[…]
Folks, I’m buzzing with excitement today. One of our favorite laptops, the Acer Swift Go 14, is on sale for just $799.99 at Amazon right now. We awarded it 4 out of 5 stars in our review, praising how well-rounded it is. It features plenty of connectivity options, a wonderful typing experience, marathon battery life, a zippy processor, and much more. The model that’s on sale today has slightly less storage than the one we reviewed, but other than that they’re pretty much identical. Plus, it currently rivals our top pick in our best laptops roundup. The Acer Swift Go 14 is packing some solid hardware. You’re getting an Intel Core Ultra 7 155H processor (16 cores plus 22 threads), 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of SSD storage. According to our review, it outperforms other laptops with the same processor. You should be able to fly through office work, coursework, everyday tasks, and so on. The 14-inch display has a resolution of 1920×1200 and is touch-enabled. It’s fine for casual use, but we found that “black colors are washed out, contrast is just so-so, and colors aren’t all that vibrant.” Other goodies include a 1400p webcam, a 65 watt-hour battery, and a fingerprint reader. This is a fantastic deal, so you better jump on it sooner rather than later. Get the Acer Swift Go 14 for $799.99 at Amazon Laptops
At a glanceExpert's Rating ProsExtremely powerful and sensitive sensor4,000Hz polling rate with the booster adapterHas both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivityUltra-light design of just 1.9 ounces (54 grams)ConsOnly one RGB zoneThe dongle and 4,000Hz extension are very bigThe battery life isn’t as long as some esports miceOur VerdictThe Asus ROG Keris II Ace boasts a combination of top-level features and functionality that you’d be hard pressed to find altogether in another FPS mouse. That makes it a dynamo — you’ll get some of the very best performance you’ve ever had in FPS games with this mouse. Price When Reviewed159 Best Prices Today: ROG Keris II Ace Retailer Price Asus $159 View Deal $159.99 View Deal $475.12 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket For me the Asus ROG Keris II Ace sits at the top of ROG’s current wireless esports line-up, with a list of features that encompass everything I want in an FPS gaming mouse. An extremely powerful and accurate sensor — check! Wi-Fi and Bluetooth — check! A 4,000Hz polling rate — check! An ultra-light weight — check! It’s all there. In fact, this mouse has quickly become a favorite of mine that I keep coming back to for my FPS gaming. Read on to find out more… Further reading: See our roundup of the best wireless gaming mice to learn about competing products. Asus ROG Keris II Ace design and build The Asus ROG Keris II Ace has been made to be as lightweight as possible for speed and maneuverability in FPS games; it weighs just a measly 1.9 ounces (54 grams). The solid back is made from lightweight nylon but it feels remarkably like plastic — it’s the same material as you’ll find in the ROG Harpe Ace Aim Lab Edition. A symmetrical shape that molds to the contours of your hand delivers optimum comfort and peak control. With six programmable buttons, the Keris II Ace offers a command load on par with other competitive gaming mice of its ilk. The two main clicks are made from premium PBT (Polybutylene Terephthalate) material, which means they’re hardier than plastic mouse buttons. They feature ROG Optical Micro Switches with a very quick actuation speed and are rated for a long 100 million click durability. Dominic Bayley / IDG Dominic Bayley / IDG Dominic Bayley / IDG Asus ROG Keris II Ace connectivity The wireless connectivity is very good considering the mouse’s lightweight construction. It consists of both 2.4GHz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth options. The Keris II Ace can also be used in wired mode and comes with a flexible 6.5-foot (2 meter) paracord for that purpose. In Bluetooth mode I could pair the Asus ROG Keris II Ace with up to three of my devices simultaneously, which was just perfect for hopping between my gaming PC, a laptop, and a handheld console. The Keris II Ace comes with a large Wi-Fi dongle as well as a large polling-rate booster dongle, both of[…]
From the Move to the Beam, we’ve tested nearly every speaker from the venerable brand. We like them all—but here are the best picks to fit your lifestyle.
Passwords suck. If they’re easy to remember, they’re the simplest to guess. If they’re difficult to crack, they’re the hardest to recall. Even if you use the strongest passwords possible, they’re ineffective if they become known. Which is why I’ve stopped using them as much to log into my accounts. But I haven’t weakened my online security by doing so. In fact, I’ve improved it—and sped up my login times, too. How? I set up passkeys for my accounts. It takes just a few minutes, doesn’t cost anything, and can be done using your smartphone or PC. Using them is equally painless. When logging in, you choose the passkey option, then approve the login request with your thumbprint, face scan, or PIN. It’s fast. This authentication method is secure, too. A passkey improves on several password weaknesses: They can’t be guessed. Passkeys use an encryption method that uses two different kinds of keys as part of the verification process. The website gets the public key, while your smartphone, PC, security hardware key, or compatible password manager keeps and protects the private key. A private key can’t be determined from a public key, so a website hack won’t compromise your corresponding passkey. Copies shouldn’t work. Passkeys are specific to the smartphone, PC, or security hardware key that created them. If a copy of the private key is somehow stolen from your device, it won’t register as valid. This is true for password managers that support passkeys, too—so long as they’re configured to verify that a passkey was used from the password manager’s platform. Phony sites can’t use them. Passkeys are tied to not just to the device that generated them, but the specific website they were created for, too. A spoofed site won’t pass the verification check. So even as phishing sites and scams get more sophisticated, you’ll be better protected against them. The best part is the ever-widening support for passkeys. It’s not just the big names like Google, Microsoft, Apple, and Amazon. I’ve started spotting them elsewhere, like on Target.com and other shopping sites—even WhatsApp. Even sites with passkeys continue to expand their reach. In honor of World Password Day 2024, Google broadened its passkey program to include its Advanced Protection Program participants. If you still like passwords, you don’t have to drop them entirely. Sites generally let you have multiple sign in methods. Just follow our tips for how quickly to shore up your online security—especially the part about adding two-factor authentication to your accounts. If you have a password + 2FA active, that combo can serve a backup method of login if you ever lose the device or security key with your passkeys. (That’s the only real drawback of using passkeys exclusively—you need to have multiple devices with them, in case one becomes lost, stolen, or unusable.) The less online security interests you, the quicker you should make the move to passkeys. Most people treat passwords like the nuisance they are, reusing them or creating weak ones[…]
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Macworld If you’re looking for an iPhone but don’t want to spend a fortune, the third-gen iPhone SE, Apple’s cheapest current handset, is the phone for you. It features a powerful processor (the A15, which also appeared in the flagship iPhone 13 Pro from 2021) at an affordable price, starting at $429 in the U.S. or £429 in the U.K. For a phone that’s even cheaper, however, you may want to consider the second-gen iPhone SE from 2020. Apple no longer sells this device itself, but other vendors may still sell you one for a bargain price. In this article we round up the best deals and discounts currently available on each iPhone SE model, as well as cheap bundle offers worth considering. We cover both SIM-free and contract deals, identifying which retailers which have the handsets in stock, and which offer the best price. If you want to get yourself an iPhone SE, read on for the best deals. How much does the iPhone SE cost? Apple’s most affordable iPhone starts at $429/£429. (And you can get it for less if you trade in an older qualifying phone.) The 2022 model is currently available in three configurations: iPhone SE (2022, 64GB): $429 / £429 / AUD$719 iPhone SE (2022, 128GB): $479 / £479 / AUD$799 iPhone SE (2022, 256GB): $579 / £579/ AUD$969 That’s a slight price increase on the previous model. The 2020 iPhone SE is no longer available from Apple itself, but had the following MSRPs at launch: iPhone SE (2020, 64GB): $399 / £399 / AUD$679 iPhone SE (2020, 128GB): $449 / £439 / AUD$759 (If you’re buying the iPhone SE we recommend that you avoid the lowest-capacity model. We explain in a separate article: Why you shouldn’t buy the 64GB iPhone SE.) Where to buy iPhone SE (2022) SIM-free Apple sells the iPhone SE starting at $429/£429. You can buy from Apple right now. (That’s the U.S. store; depending on where you are, the U.K. store or the Australia store may be more suitable.) It’s also available from other retailers, who may offer discounts on Apple’s price. But this phone is relatively cheap (at least by Apple’s standards), so you’re unlikely to see any startling savings just yet. In the U.S., in fact, all the major retailers are sticking at Apple’s price. The best option in the U.K. at time of writing is AO, which has the third-gen SE for £419, a discount of £10. KRCS, meanwhile, is selling for £424.71. You can check the best and latest offers in our automatic pricing tables, below. iPhone SE (64GB), MSRP $429/£429 New Refurbished Retailer Price $339 View Deal $429 View Deal $429 View Deal $449 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price iPhone SE (2022) 64GB – Midnight – Unlocked $429 View Deal Price comparison from Backmarket iPhone SE (128GB), MSRP $479/£479 Retailer Price $323.27 View Deal $479 View Deal $479 View Deal $499 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores[…]
This week we talk through everything there is to know about hybrids: how the different technologies work, how to keep one charged, and which cars best fit different lifestyles.
Macworld If you’re looking to buy an iPhone 12 (or 12 mini, 12 Pro, or 12 Pro Max), make sure you get a terrific deal. Following the iPhone 15 launch, retailers will be looking to clear out any remaining stock; until they do, you can expect great deals on the iPhone 12 range, whether SIM-free or on contract. There are some great discounts on refurbished models too. In this article we look at every major retailer and contract provider to find the best deals for the iPhone 12, 12 mini, 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max. In a separate article we round up the best iPhone deals overall; we also look at the best Apple deals in an even broader article. iPhone 12 range prices The 12-series iPhones were launched in fall 2020, but since then we’ve seen some significant changes to the range in terms of price and availability. Each model has gradually dropped in price before eventually disappearing from Apple’s store. When Apple released the iPhone 13 in September 2021, it discontinued the iPhone 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max and dropped the price of the iPhone 12 and 12 mini. The following year the iPhone 12 mini was discontinued too, while the iPhone 12 got another price cut. The iPhone 12 was finally discontinued in fall 2023. Here’s how the entry-level prices for each model (with the minimum storage allocation) have varied over the years. From this you can extrapolate to what would be a fair price when buying today. Launch priceFall 2021Fall 2022Current priceiPhone 12 miniFrom $699/£699From $599/£579DiscontinuedDiscontinuediPhone 12From $799/£799From $699/£679From $599/£649DiscontinuediPhone 12 ProFrom $999/£999DiscontinuedDiscontinuedDiscontinuediPhone 12 Pro MaxFrom $1,099/£1,099DiscontinuedDiscontinuedDiscontinued While the 12-series handsets are no longer available from Apple, they can often be found from other retailers: stock may be scarce, but if they’ve got any handsets left you should be looking at a hefty discount. Check the price-comparison tables below to find the lowest price. Best iPhone 12 mini deals How much does the iPhone 12 mini cost? The smallest of the iPhone 12 range, the iPhone 12 mini features a 5.4-inch screen, which is only slightly larger than the iPhone SE (2022). Apple stopped selling it following the launch of the iPhone 14, but we can look at past prices to get an idea of what’s reasonable to pay now. Here are the original launch prices, from fall 2020: 64GB: $699 / £699 / AU$1,199 128GB: $749 / £749 / AU$1,279 256GB: $849 / £849 / AU$1,449 And here are the reduced prices, from fall 2021: 64GB: $599 / £579 / AU$999 128GB: $649 / £629 / AU$1,079 256GB: $749 / £729 / AU$1,249 In other words, it would be reasonable to assume that Apple would have knocked off another $100 or so in 2022, just as it did for the standard iPhone 12, discussed below. It might have got another price cut in 2023, for that matter. It’s more than three years old now, so make sure you’re not paying over the odds.[…]
Macworld It’s been a long time since you could only get an iPhone directly from Apple or from AT&T. Today, they are offered by all major carriers and big retailers, and many of them want to entice you to buy with them by offering special deals. Of course, you can still buy from Apple directly, either in-store or online, but you can probably find a lower price elsewhere. That’s particularly relevant if you’re looking at devices that Apple itself no longer sells. The company still sells the iPhone 13, but it discontinued the iPhone 13 Pro when the 14-series handsets came out in fall 2022, and dropped the 13 mini in fall 2023. If you want to buy one of those models, you’ll need to shop around other retailers. If you’re in the market for a 13-series iPhone, then, you’ve come to the right place. This article offers a summary of the best deals and promotions offered by popular retailers to help you get the best deal. (If you’re considering other models, check out our overall Best iPhone deals roundup.) iPhone 13 Read our review Price When Reviewed: $799 (base model) Best Prices Today: $629 at Apple | $629 at Apple United States | $629 at Straight Talk Best unlocked iPhone 13 & iPhone 13 mini deals Apple Store Buying direct from Apple is one of the few ways to buy an unlocked, SIM-free iPhone 13, and it’s the go-to place to join the iPhone Upgrade Program. Apple will let you trade in your old iPhone (in good condition) as credit toward a new purchase, too. In the U.S., Apple is once again partnering with carriers to offer discounts on the iPhone 13. You get a $30 discount if you buy a phone activated on AT&T, Verizon, or T-Mobile/Sprint. You’ll always pay full price at the Apple Store, but it’s a direct and simple way to get an iPhone, and in some cases the only place to buy one without activating it on a mobile network. Note that the iPhone 13 got a price cut when the iPhone 14 came out in 2022, and it dropped again when the iPhone 15 came out in fall 2023. At launch it started at $829, but this is what you’ll pay now: iPhone 13 prices: 128GB: $599 / £599 / AUD$1,099 256GB: $699 / £699 / AUD$1,299 512GB: $899 / £899 / AUD$1,649 Those are Apple’s prices, at any rate, but you may be able to find the iPhone 13 for less by shopping around. You can keep up with the best prices across a range of retailers by using our automated table below: New Refurbished Retailer Price $629 View Deal $629 View Deal Straight Talk $629 View Deal $779 View Deal $816 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices Product Price iPhone 13 128GB – Pink – Unlocked $629 View Deal iPhone 13 128GB – Starlight – Unlocked $629 View Deal iPhone 13 128GB – Midnight – Unlocked $629 View Deal Price comparison from Backmarket The iPhone 13[…]
Macworld At a glanceExpert's Rating ProsFast charging timesFlat designIncludes transport bag and cableConsDifficult to read displayNo display in wattsOur VerdictThe flat design of the Baseus Blade HD Laptop Power Bank is practical for stowing in a bag or backpack. With its four connectors, it offers enough connection options, and the charging times are very good. Price When Reviewed$129.99 Best Prices Today: Baseus Laptop Powerbank PD 100W 20000mAh Retailer Price $99.99 View Deal Baseus $100 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket At first glance, the Baseus Blade HD Laptop Power Bank 100W 20000mAh is the ideal laptop power bank. It’s flat, not too heavy, has enough capacity for one charge, and it’s not too slow when charging. It does have impressive features: a capacity of 20,000 mAh; two USB-C power delivery ports with a maximum output power of 100 watts and an input power of 65 watts; and two USB-A ports with a maximum of 30 watts. It measures 5.27 by 5.27 by 0.7 inches (13.4 by 13.4 by 1.8 centimeters) and is flat with rounded corners, perfect for stowing in a bag. It also comes with a protective storage bag and a USB-C charging cable. The 20,000 mAh capacity is enough to charge a 13-inch MacBook Air M1 from zero to 100 percent once, with about 5 percent remaining on the Blade HD. During a 30-minute charging session, the Blade HD added 37 percent to an M1 MacBook Air’s battery, 57 percent to the iPhone 15, and 30 percent to the iPad Pro. It’s one of the fastest power banks we’ve tested. The Blade also recharges very quickly. it reaches 90 percent after just 90 minutes and is fully charged after just under two hours. The display on the top of the Blade HD is very practical. It provides information about the capacity percentage, voltage, and current, as well as the approximate time for the charging process. The major criticism is the poor readability of the display. It is far too dark and can only be read when there is no light on it. Also, the practical benefit of the display would be even greater if the power was displayed in watts and not in a combination of volts and amps. The Baseus Blade HD Laptop Power Bank 100W 20000mAh has an informative display that can be difficult to read. The Baseus Blade HD Laptop Power Bank 100W 20000mAh has an informative display that can be difficult to read.Thomas Bergbold The Baseus Blade HD Laptop Power Bank 100W 20000mAh has an informative display that can be difficult to read.Thomas Bergbold Thomas Bergbold Should you buy the Baseus Blade HD Laptop Power Bank? With its flat form factor, the Baseus Blade HD Laptop Power Bank 100W 20000mAh is the ideal companion in a notebook bag or backpack. It’s easy to slip into a pocket, the charging performance is plenty fast, and it charges in a hurry, all of which make it a[…]
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Curious about OpenAI Sora? Discover the future of text-to-video in our latest overview. The post OpenAI Sora: Revolutionary Text-to-Video Tool appeared first on eWEEK.
Quickly growing from a niche project in a few tech companies to a global phenomenon for business and professional users alike, generative AI is one of the hottest technology initiatives of the moment – and won’t be giving up its spotlight anytime soon. Furthermore, generative AI is evolving at a stunningly rapid pace, enabling it […] The post The Future of Generative AI: Trends and Challenges appeared first on eWEEK.
Artificial intelligence (AI) was the big theme at the recent Enterprise Connect 2024, which took place in Orlando, Florida. Companies are proactively incorporating AI features into their daily business practices at a rapid pace. However, the rise in AI’s utility creates considerable concern about data security and transparency – an issue that Theta Lake aims […] The post Theta Lake Extends Compliance Coverage To Enterprise Collaboration appeared first on eWEEK.
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Developing a competitive artificial intelligence business strategy has quickly become an essential leadership strategy as AI has grown into an indispensable business tool. Businesses from all different industries are incorporating new enterprise AI use cases in their workflows to improve products and disrupt their respective industries. To keep up with the competition, business leaders need […] The post Creating a Winning AI Business Strategy: 8 Steps appeared first on eWEEK.
Prompt engineering tools are software platforms that help business owners, content creators and prompt engineers craft effective prompts that maximize output from their large language models (LLMs) and generative AI tools. In other words, the best prompt engineering tools provide you with the instructions and support for getting your AI tools to create what you […] The post 6 Best Prompt Engineering Tools in 2024 appeared first on eWEEK.
Retrieval-augmented generation, or RAG, is a technique for enhancing the output of large language models by incorporating information from external knowledge bases or sources. By retrieving relevant data or documents before generating a response, RAG improves the generated text’s accuracy, reliability, and informativeness. This approach helps ground the generated content in external sources of information, […] The post What is Retrieval-Augmented Generation? How it Works & Use Cases appeared first on eWEEK.
A deepfake is a type of synthetic media where the likeness of someone in an existing image or video is replaced with someone else’s likeness using artificial intelligence. This technology utilizes sophisticated AI algorithms to create or manipulate audio and video content with a high degree of realism. Deepfake technology represents one of the most […] The post Ultimate Guide to AI Deepfake Technology appeared first on eWEEK.
Watch out for suspicious interview requests. 'The main focus of this phishing campaign was stealing email account information of the victims, and finding information about their contacts/networks,' the cybersecurity experts at Certfa Lab warned on Wednesday.
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