Intel has spent much of its goodwill with customers chasing down bugs: the Spectre and Meltdown bugs it dealt with years ago, as well as the instability that plagued its Raptor Lake processors last year. Now there are additional chapters in each of those stories. You don’t have to do anything — just make sure your PC is patched and up to date. But there will be a price to pay in performance in fixing the latest issue, and one you can’t really do anything about. On May 1, Intel issued yet another microcode update for the Raptor Lake and Raptor Lake Refresh processors. Those processors could degrade over time due to elevated operating voltages, Intel said last July. But the recent update was designed to prevent instability on systems “running multiple days with low-activity and lightly-threaded workloads” — or machines that weren’t working at their full capacity. Mitigating that bug, Intel said, will not only solve the problem, but performance fortunately will not be affected. Instead, any variation after applying the patch would be within normal “run-to-run variation,” Intel said. Unfortunately, researchers at ETH Zurich have discovered another bug that affects a number of Intel processors, dating back to the 2018 Skylake architecture. This time, mitigating it will have a significant effect, although the effects will be most pronounced in the much-maligned 11th-gen “Rocket Lake” chips. As noted by Bleeping Computer, the new bug hearkens all the back to 2018, when the Spectre and Meltdown bugs were discovered, affecting the kernel software at the heart of most X86 chips. Though Intel patched out both bugs, researchers at ETH Zurich have discovered that branch target injection attacks (known as a “branch privilege injection”) can again be used against Intel CPUs to leak otherwise protected information. The affected chips include everything from 2018’s Skylake to Raptor Lake. AMD’s Zen 5 and Zen 4 chips are not affected, the researchers found. More information can be found at the ETH Zurich site. Proper security practices usually call for researchers to privately disclose bugs to the manufacturers before they’re released to the public, and the researchers did just that. Intel released microcode to the research team for testing and to confirm the microcode update works. To avoid being preyed upon by either vulnerability, what you need to do remains the same: simply make sure that your PC is properly patched, either via Windows Update or via the firmware updates your PC maker or motherboard maker provides. However, there will be a performance price to pay, too. ETH Zurich said that it won’t be too bad: just a 2.7 percent drop in performance in Alder Lake and 1.6 percent in the 2018 Skylake (Coffee Lake Refresh) chip. If you still own an 11th-gen “Rocket Lake” chips, however, you’re going to pay a price: an estimated 8.3 percent drop in performance. Knocking almost 10 percent off the performance of what was an already subpar chip may mean that it’s time for an upgrade. Read...

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If you’ve been browsing Ethernet cables online you may have seen that they come with names like CAT 5, CAT 6, CAT 7, and CAT 8. And no, we’re not talking about the feline kind of CAT…meow! So, what does all that mean, and is there any difference between these varied Ethernet cables? Defining CAT in Ethernet cables The CAT label in Ethernet cables stands for “category,” which denotes its standard and specification. You can tell which category the cables belong to by the number suffix each one has. The main difference between the different categories is the rated performance of each. They also have different wire configurations and other variations in how they are made, like how tightly they are wound, and some have inner plastic tubing. Just like USB cables, Ethernet cables get faster and more efficient with each successive generation released. That’s great news for gamers looking for faster and more reliable cables for lag-free network gaming. CAT and data transfer speeds CAT 5 and CAT 5e cables are an early generation of Ethernet cable dating back to the early noughties. CAT 5 cables provide data transmission speeds up to 100Mbps at 100MHz whereas CAT 5e cables are slightly superior providing speeds up to 1,000Mbps at 100MHz. That means CAT 5e cables tend to be a little more stable and less prone to lag than CAT 5 cables. Both CAT 5 and CAT 5e cable types are quick enough for most household or work-related network needs, whether that be to hook up multiple PCs or external devices like printers. They’re widely used by small offices, schools ,and colleges for things like hubs, switches, and routers. That said, since the newer CAT 6 cables have come out, gamers and users needing higher data transfer speeds have homed in on these instead. That’s because CAT 6 cables are 10 times quicker. They provide data transfer speeds up to 10Gbps and at frequencies up to 250MHz. These cables also have better shielding to prevent electromagnetic interference, so they are less susceptible to cross talk and noise. That makes them even more stable and very suitable for users that do a lot of video conferencing or that work in the cloud — so they’re ideal for professional workplaces and educational facilities like hospitals or government agencies. Further reading: The best USB-C cables Pixabay In the CAT 6 category, there’s also CAT 6a cables (uncertified CATe cables), which are a step up again in functionality. CAT 6e cables are capable of transferring data at the same 10Gbps as their CAT 6 counterparts, but they support higher frequencies still (up to 500MHz) — so if you’re looking to build a very stable 10Gbps network these cables will provide even more surety against interference and lag during heavy data loads. After CAT 6e comes CAT 7 cables. These Ethernet cables again provide quick transfer speeds of up to 10Gbps but they support even faster frequencies up to 600MHz. The problem with CAT 7 cables, however, is that they were originally made to support GG45 or TERA connectors instead of the more common RJ45 connectors (used in CAT 5, CAT 6, and CAT 6e cables). GG45 and TERA standards were never widely adopted by hardware manufacturers. CAT 7 cables can be used with RJ45 connectors, but doing so relegates their bandwidth back to that of a CAT 6 or CAT 6e cable, so you won’t get the extra bandwidth benefit. In case you were wondering, there are also CAT 8 Ethernet cables, which are the fastest Ethernet cables available today. These cables break the 10Gbps data transfer limit of previous generations by using a 2GHz signal to move data up to 20Gbps or 40Gbps. Because of their very high data transfer speeds and bandwidth, these cables are frequently installed by big businesses like data centers, financial institutions, research institutions, and broadcasting studios that require the very fastest Ethernet connections available. That said, I have also found a few operators offering installation purely for gamers, so their use in gaming is becoming more popular. It’s worth noting that the CAT rating isn’t the only factor in your network speed: cables can handle a given data transmission speed, not provide it. You can plug a CAT6 cable into any router, but if the router’s port only delivers 100Mbps versus 1Gbps, the speed at which data is sent over the cable is only going to be 100Mbps–regardless of what the cable is rated to handle. The ultimate hardwired speed of your network is going to be only as fast as its slowest component.  What Ethernet cable is best for PC gaming? The theoretical answer to that question is of course, a CAT 8 cable. Then again, using a CAT 8 cable isn’t necessarily a practical option for most gamers. It’s speed and bandwidth overkill. You can have a perfectly lag-free gaming experience with an Ethernet cable from a previous generation. Most gamers won’t be able to utilize the quick speeds of a CAT 8 cable because of limiting factors, like the speed of their primary router or modem. The main reason to get one, though, is if you want to future-proof your Ethernet performance. These cables used to be very expensive, but they’re a lot more affordable now, so getting one won’t break the budget. That said, gamers can get away with a CAT 6 or CAT 6e cable just fine, since the fastest PC desktop Ethernet cards only currently support up to a maximum 10Gbps transfer speed (cards like the Asus XG-C100C). In fact, even 1Gbps transfer speeds are quick enough for gaming. CAT 6 and CAT 6e cables are fast enough and provide an excellent balance between performance, reliability, and price. I hope that clears up any confusion around the different types of Ethernet cables. Also be sure to decide on the length of the cable you need before you buy, because the different CAT standards have their own maximum cable lengths. Happy cable hunting! Further reading: Buying a USB-C cable? Beware these 6 crucial gotchas Read...

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At a glanceExpert`s Rating Pros No subscription required Stuffed to the gills with features, including an internal door sensor Optional solar panel is a clever idea Cons Video clips are slow to load, with terrible audio and poor night vision Very rough around the edges—and likely to remain so for a while Physical installation is needlessly difficult, thanks to poorly milled bolts Our Verdict Lockin has stuffed pleny of clever ideas into this smart lock, but it feels like it’s a few firmware updates away from something I’d trust to guard any of my entry doors. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Best Prices Today: Lockin Veno Plus Palm Vein Recognition Video Smart Lock Retailer Price $379.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Lockin claims a history dating back to 2014—as well as the involvement of Hartmut Esslinger, best known as a key Apple Computer designer in the 1980s—but it wasn’t until CES 2025 that the company really touched down with a major presence in the smart lock space. Though Esslinger has a reputation for minimalism, the new Lockin Veno 7 Pro really does come loaded with everything. It’s a hub-free Wi-Fi lock with ANSI grade 2 and IP65 certifications that allows for access via a numeric touchpad, fingerprint reader, or palm vein scan—in addition to support for its mobile app and a physical key. A very wide-angle camera mounted on the front of the device also lets the unit work as a video doorbell, complete with a ring button that illuminates when someone comes near. Specifications The exterior escutcheon has an integrated video doorbell and fingerprint reader in addition to a palm vein scanner and PIN pad.Christopher Null/Foundry The unit needs no subscription plan for cloud storage, thanks to the presence of 32GB of internal storage, and it’s powered by a 5,000mAh rechargeable battery. You can pop the battery out and charge it via USB-C, but you also have the option of connecting an optional 5.5-watt solar panel to the emergency USB port on the external escutcheon to trickle-charge the battery and keep it topped up. Why, the only thing the lock can’t seem to do is water the plants and feed the cat. That’s an awfully feature-rich collection, and it sounds great on paper, but the real question is: How well does it all work? Access management is built around individual users, each of whom can have multiple PINs, fingerprints, and palm scans attached to their account. I’ll spare you the drama and get the spoiler out of the way up top: While the Veno 7 Pro is generally capable across the board, it still has the function of a product that feels like it’s still in beta—and that might well remain so for quite a while. Even after three firmware updates, I still found myself struggling to get some of its features working properly, and resorting to periodic reboots and force-quits of the app. Lockin’s deadbolt has an integrated magnetic door sensor that can communicate with the lock to tell it not just whether the deadbolt is engaged but also whether the door is shut.Christopher Null/Foundry It always makes sense to start with hardware, and Lockin throws a twist into the mix right away. The traditional exterior and interior escutcheons are complemented by an unusual deadbolt that contains its own power cable. It isn’t immediately clear why the deadbolt needs power until you get the whole thing put together. It turns out the deadbolt has an integrated magnetic door sensor that can communicate with the lock to tell it not just whether the deadbolt is engaged but also whether the door is shut. (A magnet built into the custom strike plate completes the puzzle.) This is a much more elegant solution than the typical external door sensor, which is usually connected by a dangling wire, a design which is unattractive at best. This review is part of TechHive’s in-depth dcoverage of the best smart locks. Installation and setup Lockin’s app reveals the wealth of features its smart lock has to offer.Christopher Null/Foundry The lock isn’t easy to assemble, and I installed it twice during my testing, with the same problem each time. Namely, the two long bolts that bind the external escutcheon to the interior mounting plate are very difficult to get seated into their receiving nuts, and they jammed repeatedly while I was attempting to tighten them. The occasional jam due to misaligned threads is normal, but this was on a whole other level, and trial and error involving backing the bolts out and trying again repeatedly was the only solution I found that worked to finally get them into place. Three separate cables must then be connected to the interior escutcheon, and then three smaller bolts attach that interior escutcheon to the frame. Those latter bolts conversely gave me no trouble at all. Lockin provides its own app (Lockin Smart) and uses Bluetooth to quickly bridge the lock to your Wi-Fi network (only 2.4GHz networks are supported), and after a copious amount of firmware updating, you’ll be ready to get to work. Access management is built around individual users, each of whom can have multiple PINs, fingerprints, and palm scans attached to their account (50 of each record type are allowed). One catch with the lock is that these user accounts cannot be configured with partial access: Any user who configures any of the above methods of ingress receive 24/7 access privileges. Temporary and time-restricted access can, however, be configured through a separate menu option, but these only work with a PIN—no biometric access is offered for this class of user. One-time passwords, automatically generated by the lock, can also be created but they are only good for about 30 minutes before they expire. You can purchase an optional solar panel to keep the Lockin Veno 7 Pro’s battery topped up (it plugs into a USB-C port on the lock’s exterior escutcheon). Christopher Null/Foundry Biometrics were hit and miss in my testing. Fingerprint scanning was quite reliable (although the scanner is positioned vertically in a spot that’s difficult to reach), but the palm vein scanner did not always register when I approached the device. The lock has a feature to automatically wake up and illuminate the palm vein scanner when someone approaches the lock, but this was erratic in my testing, often requiring me to tap the keypad to bring the palm scanner online. When I was able to get the scanner up and running, it correctly identified scans well, though I found positioning my hand properly could sometimes be difficult and take a couple of extra tries. The app has a considerable number of additional features, although some are more helpful than others. Motion detection is currently in beta but it can pick out humans, vehicles, and packages with reasonable success. Individual users can be welcomed with custom greetings that you record on your phone, and a geofencing system (of sorts) is available. Performance The Lockin Veno 7 Pro has an integrated video doorbell, but its camera is plagued by barrel distortion and its nfrared night vision is weak.Christopher Null/Foundry Unlike most locks with geofencing features, this one doesn’t automatically unlock the door when you return. You can, however, change key settings based on your location—including whether to record on motion detection. And when someone rings the doorbell, you can also configure the lock to deliver a canned audio response after a set amount of time, although this response can’t be edited. Automatically instructing visitors to leave packages at the door and prompting them record a message is all well and good, but after the lock delivers this canned greeting, the lock’s camera shuts off; so, anything your visitor said after that point won’t be recorded. Turns out this doesn’t really matter: Audio quality on the recordings is downright awful, to the point where nothing I said in front of the camera could be discerned at all. Video quality is at least acceptable, recorded at a resolution of 1984 x 1984 pixels, but the distortion-filled 180-degree viewing angle leaves something to be desired. Infrared night vision is particularly weak: blurry, laden with artifacts, and only useful at a range of less than a few feet. The length of recorded clips is determined by the power management settings you have applied, from 6 to 60 seconds, with the same time settings available for cooldown between clips. You can also disable recordings for certain times of the day. Recorded clips are interspersed throughout a day-by-day chronological listing of all activity, and they load extremely slowly when you try to view them. How about that solar panel? With the battery drained to 73 percent, I connected the panel (which is easily removeable) and left it in conditions likely representative of the typical front door, a mix of sun and shade over the course of 24 hours. A day later the battery had climbed to 93 percent, a respectable level that should indeed keep it topped up permanently. The battery of course charged the most when the panel was in full sun, but even when it was in shade it kept the battery from draining. The problem with the panel is that it is far from attractive; I can’t imagine anyone leaving this attached to their front door on a permanent basis outside of the most industrial of environments. If manufacturers are going to do solar, they should probably follow the example set by the Array by Hampton Connected Door Lock. The Lockin Veno 7 Pro’s wiring is more complicated than you’ll find on most smart locks.Christopher Null/Foundry Lockin’s smart lock supports Matter (and Thread), but much like every other high-end smart lock I’ve tested, there’s really no advantage to using the standard aside from support for basic integrations with other devices. The problem is that Matter ecosystems today have no support for much beyond PIN-based access control, making the many advanced features on this lock essentially useless unless you operate the lock via the Lockin Smart app. Ultimately, I feel like the Veno Pro will benefit from (even more) firmware updating and some attention to its app, and it’s the little things like the awful audio and draggy performance that are the most bothersome. Even figuring out how to manually lock the door from the outside isn’t intuitive. The trick is that you must long-press the lock button on the keypad, but unlike all the numerals on the keypad, that button is not normally illuminated, making this far from obvious. Including a better manual with the lock would also be highly recommended to help novices get up to speed more quickly. Should you buy the Veno Plus Palm Vein Recognition Video Smart Lock? Early buyers can get the Veno Plus Palm Vein Recognition Video Smart Lock for $229, that’s a substantial discount if purchased directly from the manufacturer. The solar panel is listed as a $20 accessory. While I wouldn’t dream of relying on this lock for its video features, the rest of the package is at least reasonably priced with that discount. Read...