Alongside the latest security fixes, Microsoft just added a number of new features to Windows 11 via the KB5058411 update. The new Copilot+ AI feature known as Windows Recall and the ability to use Phone Link in the Start menu have been mentioned in previous articles, so we don’t need to mention them again. One of the best improvements in the update is that Windows Search now supports AI, which means—among other things—that you can now use “natural language” in your search queries to find documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and images. Get Windows 11 Pro for cheap Windows 11 Pro File Explorer also got some boosts, like how it’s now possible to view Microsoft 365 content directly in File Explorer (but requires you to pay for the service). File Explorer should also open files and unpack ZIP archives much faster, and as for the colors in the bars, the shades of blue and green are now darker than before. Other goodies in the update include Microsoft removing the blue-colored background for shortcuts on the desktop, which users complained about, as well as numerous bug fixes, which should mean that the risk of running into “blue screen” crashes has gone down. Update KB5058411 should automatically download and install to your system, assuming you’re on Windows 11 24H2. If it hasn’t yet, you should be able to jump-start it with a manual check in Windows Update. Further reading: Windows 11 24H2 is now auto-downloading on PCs Read...

At a glanceExpert`s Rating Pros Excellent full-color night vision Sharp 3K video resolution Smart motion detection with human and vehicle filtering Cons No included microSD card No AI-driven features beyond basic smart detection Our Verdict The Annke NightChroma NC500 is a rock-solid budget camera that delivers sharp, full-color surveillance–including at night–and smart detection where it counts. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today If you’re in the market for a budget-friendly security camera that doesn’t skimp on nighttime clarity, the Annke NightChroma NC500 is worth a look. This wired 3K PoE (Power over Ethernet) camera captures full-color video even in total darkness, something you don’t typically get at its modest $64.99 price point (that was the sale price at the time of this review; MSRP is $99.99). That combination of sharp imaging and vivid night vision makes it an appealing option for DIYers setting up their own security systems–especially those who are also looking for a local networked storage option–as well as homeowners looking to add reliable coverage without blowing their budget. The Annke NightChroma NC500 doesn’t try to dazzle with extras; it focuses on doing the basics really well, and that’s what makes it such a strong buy. Design and features The Annke NC500 is available in both bullet and turret styles; I tested the bullet version. It has the no-nonsense look of a classic security camera—long and cylindrical, with a sturdy mounting bracket that makes it easy to aim exactly where you need coverage. The housing is made of aluminum and feels solid and well-built, with an IP67 weatherization rating that protects it against dust and rain (it can withstand being immersed in up to 3.3 feet of water for as long as 30 minutes). It can also operate in extreme temperatures, with an operating range of -22 degrees Fahrenheit to 140 degrees F (-30 to 60 degrees C). (To find out more about how well devices are protected from the elements, read our informative guide to IP codes at the preceding link.) Whether it’s scorching summer heat or a winter freeze, the Annke NC500 is built to hold up outdoors. The compact bullet-style camera supports Power over Ethernet, meaning power and a network connection are supplied by a single cable, simplifying outdoor installations. Michael Ansaldo/Foundry Beneath its rugged exterior, the camera is more impressive than its price might suggest. It captures video with 3K resolution (3072 × 1728 pixels), providing a significant leap in detail over standard 1080p (1920 x 1080). That’s especially useful for identifying faces, license plates, or small movements at a distance. But what really sets this camera apart from the competition at this price is its low-light performance. The Annke NC500 uses a large f/1.0 aperture and a backside-illuminated (BSI) image sensor, both of which help it gather more light after dark. Combined with Annke’s Acme Color Night Vision technology, the camera can deliver full-color footage even in near-total darkness. A built-in soft supplement light discreetly activates in 0 lux conditions, boosting low-light performance without the harsh glare of a spotlight or the grayscale fallback of infrared night vision. Other useful features include a built-in microphone for audio capture and support for local storage (up to 256GB via a microSD card that you’ll need to supply your own. Video is compressed using the efficient H.265+ codec, which helps reduce file sizes without sacrificing image quality. Setup and performance Support for Power over Ethernet (PoE) means both data and power travel over the same ethernet cable, simplifying wiring and delivering added flexibility as to where you install the camera–you’re not limited to locations near an electrical outlet. As long as you have a PoE-capable ethernet switch or a PoE injector you can use with your existing switch or roouter, one cable from your router or NVR (network video recorder) is all it takes to power the camera and get it online. The NC500 is designed to work seamlessly with Annke’s own NVR systems; if you’re using a third-party recorder, you’ll want to confirm compatibility before purchasing. The Annke Vision app has a spare, intutitive design that makes it easy to control the camera and customize its settings. Michael Ansaldo/Foundry Once connected, setup is handled through the Annke Vision app, which offers a relatively smooth user experience. You can view live footage, play back recorded video, adjust camera settings, and set up motion detection alerts. The motion detection feature allows you to fine-tune sensitivity levels, helping reduce false alarms from wind-blown trees or passing cars. In terms of performance, the NC500 punches well above its weight. Its night-vision capabilities are particularly strong—footage is captured in full color and is impressively clear even when the ambient light drops to near zero. This gives it a significant edge over traditional IR-based night-vision cameras, which often revert to grainy black-and-white imagery when operating in full darkness. During my testing, the camera maintained sharp image quality in both rainy and bright conditions, and the sturdy build showed no signs of stress during a spring downpour. The onboard microphone also did a decent job picking up conversation, handy for capturing more context in your recordings. This review is part of TechHive’s in-depth coverage of the best home security cameras. The camera’s smart detection capabilities are a clear step up from basic motion alerts. It can distinguish between people and vehicles, which helps cut down on false alarms from things like swaying branches or neighborhood pets. In my testing, motion alerts were timely and mostly accurate, with only the occasional missed detection or unnecessary ping. You can tweak sensitivity and set motion zones in the app to further reduce noise, making the alerts more useful and less disruptive. Should you buy the Annke NightChroma NC500? The Annke NC500 doesn’t try to dazzle with extras; it focuses on doing the basics really well, and that’s what makes it such a strong buy. You get sharp video, reliable full-color night vision, and motion detection that’s smart enough to tell a person from a passing car. That’s more than enough to stand out in a crowded budget security camera market. Read...

Proton VPN is one of the very best VPNs on the market, and it’s currently offering a can’t-miss discount. Swiss company Proton is celebrating its 11th birthday right now, and for the next two weeks, from May 14 to May 28, you can snag a huge 70 percent discount on Proton VPN’s Plus plan. For just $2.99 per month for a two-year contract, you’ll enjoy great speeds, stellar privacy, and advanced security features. ProtonVPN Read our review Best Prices Today: $9.99 at Proton VPN In our latest review, Proton VPN earned a coveted Editor’s Choice rating for its abundant privacy and security features. It excels at just about everything you’d want a VPN service to do, plus some things you didn’t even know you needed. Aside from the great features, Proton VPN boasts a large server network, and all of its servers also work to unblock streaming services. Plus, its transparent, privacy-first approach to VPNs is positively refreshing when compared to other services just out to make a quick buck. In fact, transparency is so essential to parent company Proton that it has made it the guiding principle in everything it does. From all apps being open-source to regular independent audits of its no-logs policy, users can rest assured that their data is being protected to the highest degree. Be sure to sign up before May 28 to take advantage of the sale. Proton even offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can cancel anytime beforehand should you decide it’s not for you. Get 70 percent off on Proton VPN`s Plus planSave now at Proton VPN Read...

Acer’s new Aspire notebooks for Computex 2025 offer the choice of all three processor platforms, with either 14- or 16-inch display options. But there’s one big problem that the company can’t do anything about. In a word? Tariffs. Acer’s Aspire notebooks typically are its most affordable, so America’s fluctuating import tariffs add a confusing wrinkle to anything Acer announces. As a result, Acer isn’t announcing either the pricing or the ship date for its six new Copilot+ PCs. It is, however, disclosing what European customers will pay. Acer’s new Aspires are easy to understand: the company is shipping two notebooks, each with Intel’s Core Ultra (Lunar Lake) series, the AMD Ryzen AI 300 series, and the low-end Qualcomm Snapdragon X platform inside. In each processor category, Acer is shipping both a 14-inch and a 16-inch version. All qualify as Copilot+ PCs. Perhaps because of the price, Acer executives told us that the emphasis is on the Snapdragon-based Aspires. The 14-inch version will ship for 899 euros ($1,006) and will be available in June to European customers. Naturally, we just don’t know what tariffs will do to your wallet. Acer While there are slight differences, each of the 14-inch Aspires generally shares the same features as the others, and the same goes for the 16-inch Aspires, too. There are some slight variations, we’re told: for example, the Snapdragon PC platform includes a 1440p webcam, while the AMD and Intel versions include a more basic 1080p webcam. The Intel- and Qualcomm-based Aspires include Wi-Fi 7, while the AMD-based Aspire ships with a Wi-Fi 6e radio instead. The Intel variant also includes Thunderbolt 4 ports, while the others include the virtually identical USB4. Finally, the Intel-based Aspire ships with a 1920 x 1280 display option (and a 60Hz panel), while the others ship with a 1920 x 1200 display instead but nudge up to 120Hz. Qualcomm These are the specifications for the new 14-inch and 16-inch Aspire AI notebooks, with a Qualcomm Snapdragon X chip inside. I had a chance to briefly check out the new Aspires in a press preview before Computex. The displays of the new Aspires are better than you might expect, with both OLED options and conventional IPS panels that can reach 500 nits and top out at 120Hz refresh rates — not what you would normally expect for a budget PC. Memory options climb to 32GB of LPDDR5X, with storage options of up to a 1TB PCIe Gen 4 SSDs. In general, the 14-inch Aspires measure 12.28 x 8.89 x 0.63in. and weigh about 2.73 pounds, while the 16-inch versions measure 13.97 x 9.85 x 0.63in. and weigh about 3.28 pounds. There are some slight variations depending upon the processor. Acer Acer’s 14- and 16-inch Aspire AI notebooks, this time with an Intel Lunar Lake chip inside them. Again, the key is the price. Acer’s two Snapdragon Aspires, the A14-11M and A16-11M, will ship for 899 euros ($1,006) and 999 euros ($1,118) in June and July, respectively. The Acer Aspire A14-53M, a 14-inch Aspire with Intel’s Core Ultra chip, will ship for 999 euros ($1,118) in July and accompany the 16-inch A16-52M for 1,099 euros ($1,230), which will ship in August to the European market. Finally, Acer will ship its 14-inch A14-61M and the 16-inch A16-61M with Ryzen AI 300 processors inside to Europe in July and August for 999 euros ($1,118) and 1,099 euros ($1,230). As for the United States? Acer said that it will announce a ship date and price for the various models closer to when you can buy them. Read...

Acer is launching two creator-class laptops at Computex 2025: the Swift X 14 and Swift X 14 AI, which give buyers the choice of either an AMD or Intel processor as well as an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070. A creator-class laptop splits the difference between a traditional productivity laptop and a gaming device, with a midrange GPU that can handle both tasks, and with decent battery life, too. In the case of the Acer Swift X line, the two laptops have identical measurements (12.69 x 8.95 x 0.38-0.71 inches) and weigh about 3.5 pounds. What the Swift X offers is demure performance: It lacks the RGB keyboards of Acer’s Predator lineup, and includes a haptic touchpad as an additional feature. A haptic touchpad is equally clickable all along its surface, with minimal effort. Acer even includes a stylus for taking notes on the touchpad or the laptop’s 14.5-inch 2800×1800 OLED display, which delivers 100 percent of the DCI-P3 color gamut. That display appears to be just 60Hz, however. The only difference between the two Swift X’s is in the processor: The Swift X 14 AI features the choice of a Copilot+ capable Ryzen AI 300-series chip, from the AI 5 340 on up to the AI 9 365. Alternatively, the Swift X 14 includes either Intel’s Core Ultra 225H, 255H, and 285H. All are members of Intel’s Arrow Lake family, which can only provide 13 TOPS and do not meet Copilot+ requirements. Mark Hachman / Foundry Inside, Acer offers up to 32GB of LPDDR5X system memory as well as up to a terabyte of storage — but with two M.2 slots for SSDs, so users can add more. Acer provides a pair of Thunderbolt 4 ports, and a pair of USB-A ports, with one available for charging. The laptop also includes an SD slot, as well as an undisclosed HDMI port. Acer includes a pair of Thunderbolt 4 ports in additional to USB-A and HDMI.Mark Hachman / Foundry Though there’s just a 1080p webcam, it can identify you for Windows Hello biometric recognition. There’s a fingerprint reader underneath the power button, too. The wrinkle is the pricing and availability. Because of the constantly changing tariffs, Acer isn’t disclosing pricing or availability quite yet. The company will ship the Swift X in 30 to 90 days, but isn’t saying exactly when. “We will announce U.S. pricing, availability, and configurations closer to market availability in the United States/North America,” Acer said in a statement. Both Swift X laptops will be available in Europe in July, for 1,799 euro, or about $2,012. Acer Read...

Acer’s most interesting gaming notebook for Computex 2025 isn’t necessarily a gaming notebook at all. The Predator Triton 14 AI is a surprisingly thin, creator-class notebook that includes both Intel’s Lunar Lake notebook CPU alongside an Nvidia RTX 5070 GPU cooled by something new: graphene. Acer also is announcing the Acer Predator Helios Neo 14 AI, a slightly cheaper version, plus refreshes of the Nitro lineup that go as large as an 18-inch display. Here’s what you need to know about all three gaming laptops: Acer’s 14.5-inch Predator Triton 14 AI is just 11mm thick at its thinnest point. Acer replaced the traditional liquid metal with graphene for improved cooling, and there’s a haptic touchpad (with its own stylus!) for inking while you’re on the go. Acer’s new 14.5-inch Helios Neo 14 AI combines a Core Ultra 9 285H with an RTX 5070, and should cost a bit less. Acer also is shipping several versions of its Nitro gaming laptops, both 16- and 18-inch versions which focus on the AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 processors. One of the questions I asked was if Acer is designing toward a price point, or to the component choices it deemed best for its users. Acer executives said they were making the latter choice, which might be one of the reasons that Acer is keeping the price and availability of the laptops mum for now. “We will announce U.S. pricing, availability, and configurations closer to market availability in the United States/North America,” Acer said in a statement. Acer did provide pricing and availability for Europe, which we’ve included here for comparison’s sake. Acer Predator Triton 14 AI Acer’s new Predator Triton 14 AI reminds me of a classical gangster: dark suit, dark tie, sunglasses, coolly confident. That’s until the per-key RGB lights up, reminding you what you’re here for. Creator-class notebooks have always interested me, since they offer some of the power of a gaming laptop without all of the weight. A few years ago, you might have to think about whether a lower-end discrete GPU could offer enough gaming horsepower; today, frame generation technologies are working to make that a moot point. As I held the Triton 14 AI (PT14-52T) at Acer’s preview, I was impressed by how compact it felt: it measures 12.6 x 8.7 x 0.43 inches at its thinnest, sloping out to 0.68 in (17.31mm) at its thickest — it still weighs 3.7 pounds, but that’s a far cry from the laptops that weigh over 5 pounds or more. (It earned Nvidia’s Studio Premium certification, which requires a thickness under 20 mm.) Acer treated the dark chassis with an anti-fingerprint coating that seemed to really work, and it’s the only one of its new gaming notebooks that included it. Acer’s Predator Triton 14 AI features per-key lighting and an Intel Core Ultra 200-series chip inside. Willis Lai / Foundry Acer built in a graphene thermal interface material into the insides of the laptop, which the company estimates will actually offer 14.5 percent better cooling, combined with the 0.5-mm-thin AeroBlade 3D metal fans that directs cooling air to the laptop’s hot spots. With the additional cooling, Acer has a choice to either push clock speeds faster or go thinner and lighter, and executives said the target market caused them to opt for the latter. While Acer didn’t reveal the key travel, the RGB keyboard does offer per-key lighting, controlled by the PredatorSense app. The touchpad joins the small but growing trend of laptops that use haptics for a uniform click experience across the whole of the trackpad. I didn’t expect Acer to include a bundled stylus, but it has done so, with support for the AES 2.0, USI 2.0, and MPP 2.5 protocols with 4,096 pressure level and tilt support. And look at the photo above. The trackpad almost disappears! Otherwise, the 14.5-inch 2,880 x 1,800 OLED display features 100% DCI-P3 color at up 120Hz — with touch support, which in OLEDs isn’t always a given. There’s just 340 nits of light output, however. Inside is an Intel Core 288V “Lunar Lake” chip, up to 32GB of DDR5-8533 memory and a PCI Express Gen 4 connection allowing customers to configure up to 2TB of SSD storage. Intel’s Killer Wi-Fi 7 and Thunderbolt 5 also appear. These are the specifications of the Acer Predator Triton 14A AI, as provided by Acer. Acer also made some last-minute changes that are reflected in the text.Acer Remember, Intel’s Lunar Lake processor and its 48-TOPS NPU makes this a Copilot+ PC, with support for all of Microsoft’s AI-powered features like Windows Recall. The Predator Triton 14 AI (PT14-52T) will be available in EMEA in July, starting at 2,999 euro Acer said. Predator Helios Neo 14 AI Acer’s Predator Helios Neo 14 AI laptop (PHN14-71), also with a 14.5-inch display, uses the Core Ultra 200H “Arrow Lake” chips, which performed surprisingly well in our laptop tests without all of the issues of their desktop cousins. They don’t offer the AI performance of the Lunar Lake family, however. Acer’s Predator Helios Neo 14 AI.Acer Acer typically uses the “Neo” branding to denote a step down, and some of the innovations on the Predator Triton 14 AI do not appear here. For example, Acer returned to the 5th-gen AeroBlade technology and the more traditional liquid metal thermal grease and a vector heat pipe. Likewise, the laptop uses a slightly older WiFi 6e technology alongside Thunderbolt 4, and the RGB keyboard is divided up into three zones. Physically, the Helios Neo 4 AI weighs 4.2 pounds, and measures 12.7 x 10.2 x 0.81 in., with the thinnest point being 11.5mm. Acer Users will have an option between a 14.5-inch OLED (2880 x 1800, 120Hz, 400 nits, 10 percent DCI-P3) or a 14.5-inch IPS (2560 x 1600, 165Hz, 400 nits, 100% sRGB) and choices of either a Core Ultra 9 285H/255H and an RTX 5060 or 5070 GPU. Users can choose from up to 32GB of DDR5-7467 memory and up to 2TB of PCI3 Gen 4 storage. The Predator Helios Neo 14 AI (PHN14-71) will be available in EMEA in July, starting at 1,699 euro. Nitro 18, 16, and 16S Finally, Acer has the Nitro lineup of gaming notebooks, which typically include almost dozens of different variants. For Computex, Acer is launching the Nitro 18 AI and the Nitro 16 AI, as well as the Nitro 16S and Nitro V 165 AI. They’re all oriented around the Ryzen AI 9 365 (Strix Point) architecture from AMD, which includes Copilot+ AI capabilities. Typically, Acer charges about $1,200 to $1,500 for these laptops. Here’s what we know about the Nitro 18: it will have an 18-inch display with 2560 x 1600 resolution at 165Hz, with 32GB of DDR5 5600 memory and 2 TB of PCIe Gen 4 storage. Acer will use copper and vector heat pipes inside to cool an Nvidia GeForce 5070 Ti. As for the Nitro 16S AI, Acer is offering users a Ryzen AI 9 365, up to an RTX 5070 Ti, 32GB of DDR5-5600 memory and 2 TB of SSD storage, all hidden below a 2560 x 1600, 180Hz display. The Nitro V 16S AI will offer the same display, memory, and storage options, but an RTX 5070 instead, plus USB4. Read...

I don’t know how your tech drawers look, but mine are filled with wires I’ll likely never use again because technology has advanced quite a bit. Thankfully, USB-C seems to be here to stay since there is no wrong way to plug these things in. It’s not just smartphones, tablets, and laptops that use these, however, but also a long list of gadgets. We’ve scoured the market for hidden gems: gadgets that will make you think “Wow, I didn’t know I needed that, but it will make my life so much easier!” So, let’s dive in and see what cool devices you’ll be able to use your type-C cables and ports with. Wowstick 1F+ mini electric screwdriver Wowstick If you often have to fiddle around with your computer or other gadgets, this Wowstick mini electric screwdriver may be just what you need. This pen-shaped screwdriver features three LED lights so it’s easier to see what you’re working on and rotates 200 times per minute so you can finish the job faster. The screwdriver has a stylish base so you can hold it on your desk, and a whole collection of 56 aluminum alloy bits. The screwdriver can be charged via USB-C and it can last for hours. This super fun electric screwdriver usually goes for $41. Anker Nano Power Bank Anker One thing you need to have in you bag/pocket/backpack is a power bank because you never really know when your phone will fail you and cry for a recharge. Well, the Anker Nano power bank is tiny enough to fit just about anywhere. It comes with a foldable USB-C connector and a port on the side so you can charge two devices at once if you need to. The 5,000mAh capacity is just about enough for a full phone recharge, so it will be great in a pinch. It’s also only $30, but we’ve seen it as low as $16. Endoscope camera with light Ennovor Although it’s not something you’ll use every day, this Ennover endoscope camera can definitely come in handy. You just plug it in your phone, install and app, and see everything your camera does. Our team swears by it, using it for finding whatever they dropped behind the desk, while working on the car, or looking for pipe leaks. Since it has an IPS67 rating, you can even plop it in your aquarium. The camera comes with a 16.4ft semi-rigid cable and several accessories, including a hook, magnet, and a mirror. You can get this one for $23 right now. Blukar flashlight Blukar I don’t care who you are—you need a flashlight. The smaller, the better, because you get to shove it into any pocket. This model from Blukar comes with a built-in 1800mAh battery that you’ll recharge with one of those many type-C cables you have in that tech drawer we were talking about. It can work for up to 16 hours on a single charge, which is pretty decent. There are four different lightning modes to cycle through, including one that will help you signal for help. Plus, one of these is only $10, so no excuse to pass on this one. Samsung flash drive Samsung The vast majority of flash drives have a USB-A connector, but this one from Samsung has a Type-C connector. With transfer speeds of up to 400MB/s, you’ll move files around in no time. The beauty of this thumb drive is that you can even pop it in your smartphone to record 4K vids directly on it. The Samsung Type-C flash drive comes in multiple storage options, starting at 64GB and up to 512GB and they start at $14. The 256GB version, for instance, is $27 at the time of writing. Read...

Conan O’Brien came to September last year to take part in the World’s Largest Haka, while filming an episode of his TV series. Read...

GitLab launches GitLab 18 with AI-native features, boosting DevOps, security, and compliance for Premium and Ultimate users at no extra cost. Read...

His bus, known as the `music bus`, features daily singalongs and games. Read...