The yuletide season is here and shopping has already reached frenzied proportions. Also, your mom and dad are easily among the most important persons you might be shopping for.
That said, shopping for them might not be the easiest either as there is so many to choose. However, fret not as we have a list of items that can suit most dads and moms out there.
Christmas gifts for tech savvy mom
1. Echo Dot
The diminutive size can be a distraction but the Alexa enabled device can have answers to almost all your queries in no time. Your mom will love to have one in your kitchen too where the Dot can keep her updated with the latest events, news, weather updates, reminders or even search for recipes.
To have someone prepare a hot cup of coffee for your mom when she needs it the most can be the best thing she would ever like. The Ember Temperature Control Ceramic Mug does just that.
In fact, you can also get the device to warm up your drink to your preference via the Ember app itself. No doubt your mother will appreciate your gesture if you gift her one.
3. Ovente 8.5-inch Dual-Sided LED Lighted Makeup Mirror
The dual sided LED lighted mirror offers three light tones – cool, warm and natural daylight so that your mom can perfect her makeup for almost all lighting conditions.
Further, there is 1x and 5x magnification feature as well to ensure she gets her makeup done perfectly. And it’s quite a looker too.
4. Etekcity 8 Heated Rollers Shiatsu Back Neck Massager
Who wouldn’t like to have their neck and shoulder massaged, particularly after a hard day at work. And the one person in your house that qualifies for a massage the most is your mom. The Etekcity 8 Heated Rollers does that job perfectly so that she feels relaxed and rejuvenated in no time.
The advantages of the e-reader all too well known. It can last weeks on a single charge, can host thousands of ebook titles and is extremely lightweight. All in all, the perfect gift for your mom if she is a book worm. Operating it is also a breeze, which means even those averse to digital stuff won’t have qualms using the paperwhite. As an added advantage, its waterproof too, which means the occasion splashes of water won’t be an issue.
— Editor’s Note: If you’re interested in other gift ideas and tools to get your PC ready for Christmas, check out our wide collection of guides.
Christmas gifts for tech savvy dad
1. Amazon Cloud Cam Security Camera
Dads are often obsessed with the security of our homes, doing all sort of things to protect us. Now with the Amazon Cloud Cam Security Camera, he will have a lot less to worry about.
The cam comes with night vision and will warn you if its senses suspicious activity. It is Alexa enabled too, which means you can ask it to show live feed on any supported device and it will happily oblige.
Dads often like to keep a tab on things around them and the smart thermostat can be best suited for them. But then, the device is smart enough to work under minimum supervision. Like it will remember the most preferred temp settings and so on. It will also turn off automatically when you are away, thus saving energy. Plus, the second-gen model is thinner and lighter too.
This is best for the adventurer dad who’d like to explore the setting around him. And the drone will let him do that in a novel manner. The drone can capture high-quality photos and videos and will deliver them to your supported device in real time. It can also be easily controlled by hand gesture or via the accompanying app.
It’s a portable Bluetooth speaker that’s easy to carry around but is still capable of belting out 12W of HD sound and Bold Bass effects. It can be easily connected to the phone or tablet, which means the speaker can liven up any gathering just about anywhere. It’s for the dad who loves to party and is a music buff.
If your dad is a fitness freak or needs constant supervision, the Garmin vívoactive 3 can do the job with perfect elan. Apart from fitness tracking, heart rate monitoring or keeping you updated with news and other info, you can even make your payment using the Garmin watch. No doubt the perfect gift for the tech-savvy dad.
The late-2019 Microsoft Surface Lineup is quite diverse. Each device has a little bit of everything you might be looking for in a Windows 10 PC, depending on your needs. There’s the slim-bezel, always-connected Surface Pro X, the slightly refined Surface Pro 7 2-in-1, as well as the traditional clamshell Surface Laptop 3 — now in both 13-inch and 15-inch sizes.
While I’ve already reviewed the Surface Pro X, you may recall that I wasn’t quite happy with that purchase. For many reasons, I ended up returning it and picked up the Intel version of the Surface Laptop 3, which Microsoft calls the “Surface Laptop 3 for Business” instead.
After a month of use in my life, this Surface Laptop 3 really shaped up to be quite different from the Surface Pro X. It ended up becoming the ultimate laptop that I’ve long wanted. From its awesome 15-inch display, as well as the build quality, and the Intel Ice Lake processors under the hood, I find that this Surface Laptop 3 is quite amazing. Let me dive deeper and explain why.
Editor’s Note: This Surface Laptop 3 was not provided to us for review by Microsoft. Arif purchased it on his own. The opinions are his own and are not influenced by Microsoft.
All-aluminum, all-around beautiful
The marquee feature of the Surface Laptop lineup has always been the Alcantara keyboard. I own an original Surface Laptop, and I will say that it has benefits of feeling luxurious — but the downsides of getting dirty over a long period of use.
For 2019, though, Microsoft decided to make the Surface Laptop 3 a bit more traditional. The company now offers the device with an aluminum enclosure, as well as the traditional Alcantara. A few 13-inch models have the aluminum enclosures, but all 15-inch models, (and the one I am reviewing) only come in aluminum. This is something I’m glad they’ve decided to do.
Much like I said with the Surface Pro X, the design and build quality on the Surface Laptop 3 is really the highpoint of the device. As a large 15-inch laptop without a dedicated graphics card, it is quite portable and compact. On the technical side, the weight comes in at around 3.4 pounds and its thickness at 0.57 inches. Compared to the 15-inch MacBook Pro (0.61 inches thick, 4.02 pounds) that’s quite slim. It’s also well lighter, but thicker than the Dell XPS 15 (4 pounds, 0.45 inches thick.)
In my personal use, I had no trouble throwing the Surface Laptop 3 in a sleeve and traveling to Manhattan with it to take the photos that you’re seeing in this review. It is quite lappable, and I whipped it out while riding the MTA, and it didn’t quite get in the way of the people sitting next to me. It really is the ultimate travel companion.
Overall, the aluminum build quality on the Surface Laptop 3 really shines through. It’s really tough, and there’s no bending or creaking in the chassis when I pressed down on it. There’s even no bending in the venting area above the keyboard deck, an area that is usually quite fragile on other laptops
I also want to mention that the Surface Laptop 3 has a beautiful sloped design when it’s closed shut. It goes from thick in the back to thin in the front. There’s even no notch in the front of the chassis of the laptop. The corners of the display are also rounded and are an absolute pleasure to touch. Oh, and thanks to the use of magnets, opening the lid is quite easy with just one hand. That’s something that you can’t quite do on a MacBook or other laptops.
Finally, as I highlighted in my how-to post, the SSD inside the Surface Laptop 3 is technically upgradeable. This isn’t something I plan on doing myself, but it does seem straightforward for technical-savvy people. If you remove the rubber feet on the bottom, you’ll be able to release and lift up the keyboard deck to find the SSD. It’s quite cool, but I don’t see this as something everyone will end up doing. Panos Panay actually showed this off during the Surface Event, but the process is technical, and Microsoft recommends for you to do it through authorized retailers only.
A display built for productivity
The other highlight feature on the Surface Laptop 3 is its touch screen display. Coming in at 15-inches, in the 3:2 aspect ratio, and with a resolution of 2,256 x 1,504, the display panel is quite amazing for productivity. Compared to other sized laptops which sport a 16:9 aspect ratio, the Surface Laptop 3’s panel is quite tall and is great for getting any type of work done. It’s also plenty vibrant and bright, especially for watching movies late at night.
For me, in my daily workflow, I often stack my windows side-by-side, with a primary Microsoft Chredge session with WordPress on the right of the screen, and a second session with whatever extra tabs I need on the left. On other laptops with smaller displays, doing this would often cut out and limit the size or scope of my open web pages, but the Surface Laptop 3 is different.
With the Surface Laptop 3’s big 15-inch display, opening up a window in a split-screen view almost makes it seem like it’s full screen. It really helps in boosting my workflow and cuts out the need for me to use a secondary monitor. Most times, I often found myself using the Surface Laptop 3 outside of my home office, and on my sofa — or in other places around the house or in coffee shops for work for just this reason.
But as great as that sounds, there is one thing I do want to mention: The bezels on the Surface Laptop 3 are thick. Coming in at around 0.39 inches, it definitely is not as slim as what you might find on Dell XPS 15, or the Surface Pro X. However, because this is a 15-inch screen in the taller 3:2 aspect ratio, I am forgiving of this. There’s a ton of space on the screen to make up for it.
Lots of Intel power under the hood, even for some light gaming
The big difference between the Surface Laptop 3 for Business (which I am reviewing) and the consumer Surface Laptop 3 is the Intel chipset under the hood. Consumer versions of the 15-inch Surface Laptop 3 come with options for either the AMD Ryzen 5 3580U with Vega 9 Graphics or the AMD Ryzen 7 3780U with Vega 11 Graphics. These processors and graphics are both custom-tuned by AMD and Microsoft for the Surface Laptop 3. Many had high hopes for this, but reviewers have reported issues with the chipsets such as battery drain, driver-issues, and poor gaming performance.
With all that in mind, I ended up picking up the Surface Laptop 3 for Business instead, which has a quad-core 10th Gen Intel Core i5 Processor under the hood. It also comes with a total of 8GB RAM and a 128GB SSD. This is the base model, which starts at $1,100.
Anyway, despite being the base option, this quad-core Intel processor really is quite powerful. I never had any issues when browsing the web, or in any of my day-to-day tasks, and it also holds up well for basic multi-tasking productivity tasks. The Geekbench scores can attest to this, as seen below. On that end, The surface Laptop 3 for Business even comes ahead of the consumer Surface Laptop 3 with AMD processors.
However, since the Intel processor under the hood comes with the company’s improved Iris Plus graphics, I was able to get more out of the CPU than I hoped. I pushed it a bit and played some games like the freshly-released Halo Reach, and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. In both cases, the gaming performance was very surprising for a laptop with just integrated graphics. The Ice Lake CPU pushed out about 20-27 FPS in these games when set on their respected high settings. On lower settings, frames improved to around 30 FPS solid.
Hard to see but CS:GO not too bad either. It's like 27 max on high settings. Most times 24. Game is plenty playable on high settings in both CS:GO and in Halo too. No dropped frames, etc. Quite alright to me because this doesn't have a dedicated GPU. pic.twitter.com/GhSHgCIyHm
The Intel-based Surface Laptop 3 obviously isn’t meant to be a gaming laptop, but it is really hard to not ignore the advancements of Ice Lake. Basic gaming is indeed an option on this Surface Laptop 3, but you’ll obviously need to choose the lowest possible settings or medium, at best. It’s still quite surprising, in all the good ways, though.
Battery Life is just alright, but the instant-on is the real highlight feature
For all that Ice Lake power under the hood of the Surface Laptop 3, there is one down-side — battery life. While Microsoft advertises that the Surface Laptop 3 for Business can get to about 11.5 hours of battery, I never really reached that limit.
I was never one that liked running these technical tests on my laptops, so I instead ran the Surface Laptop 3 through my day-to-day tasks. In my web browsing work-flow, it did last me through my 8:30 AM-2:30 PM workday as I had hoped, but only if I kept the screen to 20% brightness and the”Recommended” option on the battery meter. At best, I would estimate this lead to around 7-hour battery life. I hoped to stretch the battery longer at one point, but I ended up needing to run for the charger, as a 20% charge only held on for an hour.
Check in on Surface Laptop 3 battery life. I got 7 hours out of it so far today. That's with the screen at 20 perfect, and just web browsing, using Excel, and such. Not too bad. Heading into a meeting with 28 perfect battery. Will I need my charger? Stay tuned. pic.twitter.com/BgL3mfGZCh
For streaming video, however, the Surface Laptop 3 fell under what I hoped. I sat down on Black Friday and binge-watched The Man in the High Castle, and with the screen at 40% brightness, WiFi turned on, and all other applications closed, the Surface Laptop 3 lasted me only 6 hours or roughly 4 and a half episodes.
At the end of the day, though, the battery life on the Surface Laptop 3 never really bothered me. With support for quick charge, the laptop can go from 0%-80% charge within an hour. There’s also the added benefit of the USB-C port supporting charging, which means that I could grab a PD-power bank and charge my laptop up from anywhere. I also really enjoyed the “Instant On” feature, similar to the Surface Pro X. After putting the Surface Laptop 3 to sleep, it right away logs you in as soon as you open the lid, much like I described in my impressions video below.
Ports for (almost) everything
Microsoft has long been hesitant to adopt USB-C on its top-line devices. However, for 2019, all the Surface devices finally have what many have dubbed the one port that does it all.
On its left side, the Surface Laptop 3 sports both a USB-A port, as well as a USB-C port and a 3.5mm headphone jack. The right side of the Surface Laptop 3, meanwhile, sports the Surface Connect Port, which now supports fast charging.
Unfortunately, the USB-C port is not Thunderbolt 3 compatible. That means you won’t be able to connect up an external GPU to the Surface Laptop 3, or drive two external 4K displays. As this is a 15-inch laptop, that is quite disappointing for me. This feature is seen on Apple’s MacBook devices, as well on the Dell XPS 15, which are the Surface Laptop 3’s main competitors.
As someone who is used to the expandable MicroSD card storage on the Surface Pro lineup, it’s also upsetting to not see something similar on the Surface Laptop 3. I really would have appreciated the expandable storage, as I’m sporting the base model with only 128GB of SSD storage. In just one month of use, and installing Steam and my other software, I already filled it up, and there’s only 24GB left on the SSD.
But not all is lost. Unlike the Surface Pro X, which sports all USB-C, there is a traditional USB-A port on the Surface Laptop 3. I’m someone who hasn’t yet adopted USB-C monitors, or USB-C to USB-C cables for use with my phone, so I do appreciate the inclusion of the older USB-A port as well.
Dual far-field studio mics for top quality web calls
Alongside the addition of USB-C, another new feature on the Surface Laptop 3 this year are dual far-field studio microphones. These are located along the top of the laptop, near the Windows Hello IR webcam. Microsoft talked up this feature on stage during the Surface event, but I think a lot of reviewers seem to have neglected it in their final reviews.
I do want to touch on it for a few reasons. First of all, the studio mics are really great for use with Cortana or Alexa on Windows 10. I was able to rest the Surface Laptop 3 down in my dining room table, and walk into my living room, but summon Cortana from across the room and ask the assistant about the weather before putting on my jacket.
Secondly, these dual far-field studio mics are great for web calls. I have many online friends who I like to chat with on Skype, and this microphone is a godsend for me. My friends told me that when I chatted with them, it felt like I was in the room with them.
In an era where slim-bezels and display panels are important, microphones are usually an afterthought on laptops. But seeing as though this Surface Laptop 3 is something that will be used in businesses for Skype of Microsoft Teams calls, it’s great to see Microsoft paying attention to detail.
Speakers hidden in the keyboard, but still good enough for a party
Another new feature in the Surface Laptop 3 this year are its improved speakers. According to Microsoft, the Surface Laptop 3 sports Omnisonic Speakers with Dolby Audio Premium. These speakers are hidden underneath the keyboard deck and aren’t front-facing like the MacBook Pro, but are still really loud, and good enough for a party.
In my testing, I fired up Spotify and played the song Vegas by Onda Norte. I started the song at a low volume and turned it up to around 70%. The bass in the song was quite noticeable at higher volumes, and the keyboard deck started vibrating a bit. However, at around 90% the music did seem muffled. Other songs with lyrics like Fall Out Boy’s Alone Together fared much better, and thanks to the Omisonic speakers, I easily made out the change in instruments and the pitch in voices. For a speaker embedded in the keyboard deck, the sound isn’t as bad as it seems.
The speakers on the Surface Laptop 3 are really good. Still under the keyboard, but there's alot of bass if you turn the volume up high. Some songs are muffled at high volume, but I really love these speakers. Good enough for a party! pic.twitter.com/cwae1K7wSh
A laptop is nothing without a keyboard or trackpad, and as usual, Microsoft does not disappoint in this area. The trackpad and keyboard on the Surface Laptop 3 are really unmatched and quite comfortable.
As I touched in in my hands-on review, the typing experience on the Surface Laptop is quite similar to the Surface Pro Type Cover. However, since the keys are on top of a solid aluminum chassis, pressing on keycaps has softer and slightly more springy feedback. It’s also a point to mention that the power button is embedded on the keyboard next to the delete key, so touch typists may need to be careful when speed-typing to avoid turning off the screen.
Anyway, In my tests, I was easily able to jam through posts in WordPress without any issue. In Bing’s typing test, I achieved a score of 56 words per minute, followed by 62 words per minute when repeating the test. That also came in with an accuracy of 92%, and above the average speed of 36 words per minute reported on TypingTest.com.
The touchpad is also something that Microsoft improved over the last Surface Laptop 3. It’s around 20% larger and smacks in the middle of the chassis. I really like this location, as it leaves room to rest your palm on the sides of the laptop. As for the surface of the touchpad itself, it is quite smooth and really great for navigating through Windows 10 and using gestures. I never once had an issue with it.
You can ink on it too
One of the highlight features of the Surface lineup has always been its support for touch-screen displays. Other laptop makers like Dell will charge you a premium to get a touch panel on devices like the XPS 13, but on Surface devices, it’s a stock feature. Microsoft’s Surface devices also support inking with a pen, which as awkward it might be to draw on a laptop screen, is quite cool.
Although the Surface Laptop 3 has no “official” place to store the Surface Pen, I did try out inking on the device. I fired up Fresh Paint and colored in some lines on a painting of a tiger. For this task, the screen was quite wobbly, but I was able to rest my palms on the display panel and draw without creating lines on the screen. It’s a neat feature to have, as sometimes, users might want to ink on a PDF on the screen, or just annotate an item in OneNote.
I also want to point out that the Surface Laptop 3 does have some “unofficial” places where one could store the Surface Pen. That includes the top left bezel of the screen, or alongside the Surface Connect port on the right side of the device. I wouldn’t recommend this, however, as it might damage the device.
A great Surface that’s worth buying
Putting my review to an end now, I’ll say the Surface Laptop 3 for Business is the great laptop I’ve always wanted. It sports an awesome 15-inch display that’s great for multitasking and inking. It also has a super-premium and solid design that is absolutely gorgeous. Compared to the consumer version, the device also benefits from Intel’s Ice Lake CPUs and there’s plenty of power under the hood. The extra $100 for the Intel processors was well worth the price.
I’ll also want to mention something that others have pointed out. There might not be a dedicated GPU inside the Surface Laptop 3, but there is another Surface device for that. If you’re looking for a serious device for gaming, buy the Surface Book 2 instead. The Surface Laptop 3 is rather a device for productivity and light gaming.
In fact, I loved my Surface Laptop 3 so much, that I ended up selling my Surface Pro 2017 to pay off for it. This is simply one of the best purchases I’ve ever made, and unlike the Surface Pro X, I’ll never look back and regret it. Good job, Microsoft!
Patch Tuesday is something Microsoft Windows users need to face every month. It is usually on the second Tuesday of a month, and Microsoft releases a series of updates for all of its products.
These updates usually contain significant improvements in terms of security, and sometimes even in features. That is precisely why getting them as soon as possible is mandatory.
We’ve compiled this step-by-step guide to help you download and install Patch Tuesday updates every time they are available.
How can I get the latest patch Tuesday updates?
There are three main ways you can install the Microsoft Patch Tuesday updates:
Windows Automatic Updates
Manually searching for updates
Getting the updates from the Microsoft Update Catalog
1. Get Patch Tuesday Updates through Windows Automatic Updates
Normally, your Windows Automatic Updates status should be set to enabled so you can get updates as soon as they are available. This feature should automatically download them for you, and you only get prompted whether to install them or not.
Press Start
Go to Settings (the cogwheel-shaped button in the Start menu)
Select Update & Security
This will open the Windows Update window
If an update is already downloaded, simply press Download and proceed with the installation
Restart your system for the update to take effect
2. Manually search for updates using Windows Automatic Updates
Windows Automatic Updates may have moments when it doesn’t discover updates all by itself. If that seems to be the case, simply follow the steps below:
Open the Windows Update windows as per the steps listed above
If no update seems to be prepared, press Check for updates
You will either be notified that no updates are available yet, or that they are available, and that you can proceed to download them
3. Get the Patch Tuesday updates from the Microsoft update catalog
The Microsoft Update Catalog is a website that offers updates for computers running Windows and Windows Server starting from Windows 2000 SP3 and Windows Server 2003.
Using the Microsoft Update Catalog is fairly simple:
Browse the list for the update that you are looking for
Click Download
Choose where to download the updates
Double-click on each update and follow the on-screen instructions to install them
By following these steps, you should be able to get the latest Patch Tuesday updates fast and efficiently. Additionally, these methods can be used to get any updates, including minor ones as well.
Did you find our article to be useful? Let us know in the comments section below.
Radio automation software tools simplify the job of DJs and Internet radio broadcasters. Such applications are equipped with the functions and configuration settings that allow you to automate most broadcasting tasks, in order to deliver a streamlined experience for your listeners.
Ultimately, you will be able to push a button and step away from your computer, knowing that your radio shows are taken care of. But you can also intervene at any time to talk over the radio, adjust settings, and schedule various events.
In this article, we picked what we consider to be the 5 best radio automation software solutions that work with your Windows computer.
What are the best radio automation software tools for Windows?
SAM Broadcaster Pro
SAM Broadcaster Pro is a professional-grade radio automation software program, which gives you the possibility to create and run your own online radio station.
It supports multiple player decks and a powerful built-in audio processor that boosts your sound. You can also take advantage of an equalizer, stereo expander, multi-band processor, compressor, and limiter.
SAM Broadcaster Pro is compatible with all major streaming servers, such as StreamCast, Windows Media, Icecast, Live365, and Shoutcast. It can also be integrated with websites (HTML and PHP templates are included).
Radio-related statistics are compiled and displayed on the main window in real-time. This way, you can find out how many people are tuned in every moment.
As for the listeners, they can check out the song name, artist, album, cover art, and any other relevant information on their own devices.
You can take song requests and automate their playback, enable voice tracking mode, edit a song’s cue list, and set playlist rotation rules. The built-in encoder offers support for MP3, WAM, AAC+, and Vorbis.
RadioDJ
RadioDJ is a free-to-use radio automation software tool available for Windows computers. Wrapped in an intuitive interface, the application comes with advanced features for radio broadcasters.
To use this program, you must have MariaDB or MySQL installed on your PC, along with a database of songs created in MySQL. It’s possible to import audio tracks from various formats, such as MP3, WAV, and FLAC.
The user interface of RadioDJ is fully customizable and includes a history window. It announces the next song in the main window, one minute before it’s supposed to play. Voice tracking is supported, together with custom song and jingle rotations.
You can create your own playlist or turn to the automatic DJ function to rotate tracks by category, subcategory, and genre. To make sure that the same track will not be played twice, it’s possible to define complex rules.
Furthermore, RadioDJ features an advanced scheduler to set up additional actions for various events like radio shows or advertisements. There’s also a built-in web browser to help you find artist info on the web, as well as an audio processor plugin to enhance sound.
RadioBOSS
RadioBOSS is a multilingual radio automation software solution, only compatible with Windows. It comes with integrated support for Internet streaming, including Icecast, Shoutcast, and Windows Media.
Using this application, you can put together music playlists tailored for radio broadcasting using an intuitive audio library and advanced functions like automatic volume normalization, crossfade effects, silence trimming, and timed announcements.
By configuring rotations, you can prevent the same songs from being played more than once. It can automatically remove old audio records as well as split them by time interval.
Commercial breaks can be effortlessly created and assigned with an advertisement scheduler. It’s possible to generate detailed reports about music tracks, use a microphone and linear input for voiceover, create song teasers, and set how much to boost the volume during ads.
PlayIt Live
Available for Windows users, PlayIt Live is a radio automation software solution that can play MP3, WMA, MP4, and WAV audio tracks. It has a classical decks mode as well as a modern live-assist view which lets you control three players.
All Windows-compliant sound cards work with this program. You can add tracks with a simple wizard, trim silence, or explore jingles and various sound effects with the help of QuickCarts. But you can’t save playout patterns to file to be able to later load them and pick up where you left off.
It’s also possible to play remote audio tracks and load live streams from the web, set up actions for scheduled events, mix microphone input, and stream to Shoutcast or Icecast servers using plugins.
Meanwhile, the audio processor plugin of PlayIt Live supports automatic gain control, equalization, and compression. In the pro version, you can use enable data management on remote servers and voice tracking (including remote).
More advanced techniques are available for scheduling and reporting.
PlayoutONE
PlayoutONE is an easy-to-use radio automation software tool with a modern-looking graphical interface. It can be used not only by professional DJs and radio broadcasters but also by enthusiasts and those interested in starting their own online radio station.
There are four main decks available for playing songs from your computer, together with the fifth deck for loading music from online streams. Each player can be associated with a different sound card.
While adding tracks, PlayoutONE automatically identifies silence at the start and end of a song, in order to use it for intro and outro. You can create playlists with song rotation and set various instructions, like playing an Internet stream at a fixed time.
The software application supports voice tracking, an integrated CD ripper, an equalizer, a standard audio processor, and hotkeys for sound effects. To unlock additional features, it’s necessary to purchase a professional version.
In the pro edition, you don’t have to load playlists anymore because everything is visible and one click away. You can quickly locate songs with the Media Finder, track voice in a web browser, fine-tune logs and playlists, enable auto-ducking, and more.
Conclusion on radio automation software solutions
Taking all into account, radio automation software tools are a must-have feature for professional DJs and radio broadcasters, as well as anyone interested in broadcasting and starting their own radio station online.
You can check out any application from this list to see which is a better fit for you when it comes to SAM Broadcaster Pro, RadioDJ, RadioBOSS, PlayIt Live, and PlayoutONE.
Working in a data center can be both rewarding and challenging at the same time, but you can cut yourself a little slack if you’re readily-equipped with appropriate tools such as cable management software solutions.
Be it Sunbird DCIM, Pathfinder or netTerrain you’re going to be using in your data center, the results are always going to be better than just heading in empty-handed.
Top cable management software to get right now
PATCH MANAGER
PATCH MANAGER is one of the most recommended Windows software solutions when it comes to cable and asset management situations.
This tool can help users find their way around organizing cables by providing them with useful insight regarding the usage and purpose of cables and devices, as well as their location on the network.
It goes without saying that nowadays the software industry has evolved to a point where everything can be more or less simplified with specialized programs and cable management, which seems such a niche issue, is fortunately not an exception.
PATCH MANAGER was mainly designed to be used within data centers, campuses or buildings, as it features means of both managing and documenting changes to assets and physical layer connectivity.
In other words, users who are having a hard time figuring the layout of their data center and the cabling scheme can definitely rely on this software solution.
The program gives users an overview of network components by using templates, which makes it easy to apply for a broad range of networks.
The tool itself is a web-based software solution, with its backend server being easy to deploy on Windows computers, but PATCH MANAGER is also available in a SaaS (Software as a Service) form, which lets users bypass installation and jump straight into the action.
netTerrain
netTerrain is a cable management software solution for users who are tired of organizing their cable and circuit documentation and schemes by using traditional or outdated methods, such as PowerPoint presentations, Visio diagrams, or even worse: pen and paper.
Instead, what this program offers is a breath of fresh air, as it provides data center managers with real options regarding fiber and copper wire systems management, tray organization features, circuit management, power cable administration and other features related to outside plant connectivity.
Users can take advantage of netTerrain’s capabilities for circuit mapping operations, but also for managing one’s asset inventory in a more effective manner by tracking both connectivity and occupancy down to the smallest detail.
If done right, these operations can easily translate into saving a lot of money, thanks to proper commissioning and decommissioning of assets, ports and subcomponents alike.
There are a lot of issues that can arise from subpar cable management, such as slower troubleshooting of issues due to the inability to trace circuits accurately and worse, stranded subcomponents and ports due to the decommissioning of fiber connectivity, whether partial or total.
However, since cables and circuits are the backbones of any data center, the topic of good cable and circuit management through specialized software solutions such as netTerrain shouldn’t be easily overlooked, as many agree that doing it right can save you from a lot of expenses.
Pathfinder
Its name might not immediately say it, but Pathfinder is a software solution specialized on cable and asset management which can aid data center administrators into organizing their cables, circuits, subcomponents, ports, and assets in a hassle-free, quick manner.
The program can be deployed on Windows computers without too much effort, but it also has a mobile counterpart, so users can be flexible about their projects and perform various administration routines while on the go.
Pathfinder’s dashboard gives users a quick, yet detailed overview of their entire network and assets, so that they can find out at a glance if everything is running at optimal parameters or not.
Statistics regarding all the devices that are managed through the utility can be viewed directly from the dashboard.
Users can take advantage of Pathfinder’s capabilities to manage port status, fetch network pathways and document their cables.
The software offers signal tracking for cables and devices, primary, secondary, and tertiary cable documentation, GAN, WAN, MAN, and LAN documentation, multiple location cable management as well as the possibility to plot entire physical network pathways, with everything that this involves (e.g. outlets, rails, panels).
Sunbird DCIM
Sunbird DCIM is a software solution that is suitable for users who are struggling with proper cable management in their data centers, but organizing cables is not even by far the only thing this handy utility can do.
This program enables users to create 3D schematics of their data center, thus helping them generate an overview of their assets, power and data connections on a fully-navigatable, interactive map.
Without even being on the premises of the data center, the user can view down to the smallest connector details about how everything is connected. That includes the way the cables are handled between the various connection types.
Devices, assets, and connections can be treated as a whole, but thanks to Sunbird DCIM, users are also capable of isolating only the parts that pique their interest at that very moment, turning even complicated data center administration routines into child’s play.
With the help of specialized software solutions such as Sunbird DCIM, data center administrators can understand and document each and every single node in the network, thus decreases time spent troubleshooting various issues by identifying failure points in a timely, effective and convenient manner.
At the end of the day, the tool is also very effective at creating extensive, interactive and, most importantly, fully-customizable reports, which is of utmost importance if you have to justify various happenings to third parties, be it your clients or supervisors we’re talking about.
Conclusion on cable management software
Like many other fields nowadays, DCIM (Data Center Infrastructure Management) received an overhaul regarding the way things are being handled, with the possibility of passing a huge burden on specialized software.
Time-consuming operations like tracking a faulty cable back to a device or identifying a malfunctioning component can be now solved at the flick of a button with software solutions such as PATCH MANAGER, Sunbird DCIM or Pathfinder.
Whether the topic is organizing a data center’s inventory (assets) or performing nerve-wracking cable management, these software solutions are here to help you take care of things once and for all.
DroneDeploy, IMGING, EZ3D, and Pix4D are some of the best drone software for construction and roof inspections. In the last few years, drones have gathered an impressive amount of popularity and backers, and for good reason.
The applicability of drones extends past of just shooting aerial videos on a field or making awesome wedding videos. Thus, nowadays you can use your drone to create customizable 3D maps, analyze terrain, and even perform professional measurements.
However, no drone could handle all of this without the help of software, and that’s where we’ll let our spotlight shine today. Construction and roof-inspection software solutions, to be more precise.
The best drone software for measuring roofs
IMGING
IMGING is one of the best tools around if you’re considering getting into performing measurements for your construction needs or if you want the perfect solution for measuring your roof using your drone.
It goes without saying that even attempting to use IMGING without a drone would prove futile.
With this tool, you can gather information about various buildings and analyze it by using a supported drone and your mobile device.
IMGING is capable of automating drone-based image capturing operations, organizing drone and ground photos, provide you with measurement and facilitate data analysis with its deep learning and AI components.
It is possible to use this tool to detect a series of damage types on commercial or residential roofs, such as:
Rust;
Soft metal damage;
Exposed underlayment;
Alligatoring and cracking;
Ponding water;
Blistering on flat roofs;
DroneDeploy
DroneDeploy is a versatile software solution that can be used in a broad variety of situations, ranging from creating customizable 3D maps using images picked by the drone to inspecting roofs, performing roof measurements and generating comprehensive reports from the findings.
It is worth mentioning that, as its name suggests, DroneDeploy can only be used in conjunction with a drone. The advantage of using this program is that it works with basically any drone that’s capable of handling the tasks.
The drone plays the role of the muscle in carrying out the calculations, while DroneDeploy is the brains behind this operation by collecting the high-resolution roof imagery and generating the reports you need.
Additionally, DroneDeploy is capable of generating 3D models and DXF files that you can work process by using other specialized programs (such as AutoCAD).
EZ3D
EZ3D is one of the best drone software solutions for construction and roof measurement that you can use from both your computer and your phone. You can use this tool, or better said, this ensemble of tools, to inspect, measure and analyze roofs with consumer-level drones.
As you probably figured out from the context, EZ3D can’t be used without a drone. According to the producer’s website, any standard DJI drone will do the trick.
EZ3D, in conjunction with the drone, can gather photos of the entire building’s exterior, which you can upload them to the cloud by using a complementary app, called EZFly. The photos can be then inspected, and further used for estimating repair costs in PDR reports or ESX claim files.
Pix4D
Pix4D is certainly one of the best all-round drone software solutions for all your construction needs, whether it’s surveying your construction site, performing measurements on buildings, or assessing the wellbeing of your roof we’re talking about.
Since it falls under the drone software category, it goes without saying that using this tool can be only done hand in hand with an adequate drone, one that could handle these operations with minimum efforts.
Compared to traditional methods such as climbing and ladders, using Pix4D to perform difficult measurements is considerably faster, and cheaper.
This program can get you an online, measurable tridimensional model of the object of your choice, but also mark elements on a map, measure distances, calculate wall dimensions or roofs, and at the end of it all, share your project with others.
Closing thoughts on best drone software for construction and roof inspections
All in all, if you’re working in the construction field, you probably agree that manpower can be hard to find and is quite expensive, as well, especially if you need it for complicated measurements and assessments.
For all your construction measurement needs and roof assessment issues, you can turn to specialized drone software, such as Pix4D, EZ3D, IMGING, or DroneDeploy since all of these make excellent tools and can lift a heavy burden off your shoulders in the situations depicted above.
If you have made the decision to buy a brand new pair of speakers, then you might need to consider using speaker frequency response test software. This helps you make an informed decision about the speaker that works best for you.
However, selecting the right software to do the job for you is not an easy task in itself. Thankfully, we have made that task easier with the selection and review of the best of them in this guide.
How do I test my speaker frequency response?
While you can test for speaker frequency response in an anechoic chamber manually, it is best to do it with software. Using these has many advantages, as some of them even offer other features like speaker calibration.
Below are some of what you get from a speaker frequency response test software:
Waveform generator: One of the most important aspects of speaker measurement software is to pass sine waves through it. With a top speaker frequency response test app, you get a waveform generator that makes the task easier.
Live music frequency measurement: Another unique feature of these tools is the ability to measure speaker frequency response in live music. With this, you can know what you are getting before shelling out the cash.
What is frequency response in speakers?
Frequency response in speakers is a measure of the accuracy with which it converts the frequency of input signals. This tells you if the specs written on the product you are getting are correct or not.
To get the task done easily, we have gathered the list of the best tools you can use in the next section of this guide.
What is the best speaker frequency response test software?
AUDMES, which is short for AUDio MEasurement System, is a free software solution that was designed to help you perform speaker frequency response tests easily. It helps you see exactly if their real specs match the ones on the box.
This tool doesn’t require that you install it on your computer since it’s portable. This saves you valuable space on your PC.
One of its endearing features is the waveform generator with multiple customization options. Also, it has an oscilloscope that lets you adjust many of its parameters.
Lastly, you also get a real-time spectrum analyzer, and a frequency response graph, which also displays real-time sound data.
TrueRTA is also a specialized software solution that can help you measure and test the output of your speakers in real-time. However, it is not a free tool.
Although it does come with a trial version that can be used at level one, you still have to buy it in order to benefit from its full range of features.
TrueRTA can be used for many operations, including observing frequency data of live music in real-time. Also, it can measure the frequency responses of loudspeaker systems.
What’s more, it combines individual measurements into a spatial average frequency response measurement, study noise characteristics, or analyze distortion values of any compatible equipment.
It is not surprising that it is considered one of the best speaker frequency response test software,
Among the instruments that you can find within TrueRTA, we mention:
REW might not say much, but things might change when you find out that it stands for Room EQ Wizard. No?
Well, this software solution was designed with one thing in mind: helping sound aficionados perform various tests and measurements on their audio equipment (mainly their speakers) in a hassle-free, convenient manner.
Fortunately for you, REW is donationware, meaning that while you can use it for free, you might want to make a donation to its developers if you find it useful and like working with it.
Some of REW’s features that you can make use of:
Distortion and frequency response measurement tools
Offline measurement mode (responses can be generated from imported recordings)
RT-Speaker Professional frequency response test software
RT-Speaker is the last item on our speaker frequency response test software list. However, it is not the least powerful.
This tool is best paired with its hardware counterpart, the FX100 Sound Analyzer, for maximum efficiency.
If done right, using this highly-effective hardware-software combination could help you by correlating its findings 100% to the “subjective perception of the human ear” with its objective “Rub & Buzz” analysis.
This tool is not intended for home use, as it would serve better somewhere in the hands of quality control specialists.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t use it yourself, especially if you want to learn more about your speakers’ capabilities and even defects.
Below are some of the features of this tool:
Fast testing procedures only last a couple of seconds (at most)
Can detect speaker malfunctions such as air leaks, uncentered coils, or touching wires
We can conclude our guide on the best speaker frequency response test software with this. You should now be able to select the ideal tool to get the job done without issues.
So maybe you’ve started paying more attention to how things are evolving with your Windows system. This means that you’ve surely heard about the term Patch Tuesday, but most probably you don’t know what it is.
As a quick summary, Patch Tuesday is an unofficial term used to refer to when Microsoft regularly releases updates for its software products.
It gets its name from the fact that it occurs on the second, and sometimes fourth Tuesday of every month, and Microsoft formalized Patch Tuesday back in 2003.
Now that you have a brief understanding of what it is, you should know how it works.
What goes behind implementing Patch Tuesday?
Down to its core, Patch Tuesday is just the implementation of all bugs fixes and updates that have occurred since the last update. They are all released as a singular package, with the occasional hot-fix follow-up if it ever comes with bugs or issues for users.
Most of the time though, Patch Tuesdayupdates usually involve security updates. This makes implementing them a must if you want to stay safe from the latest threats.
Why should I get patch Tuesday Updates?
These updates are not to be confused with daily updates. Those consist of malware database refreshes for Windows Defender and Microsoft Security Essentials.
These updates are usually pushed through by Microsoft and made available to anyone. Of course, the main condition is that they have the Windows Update feature enabled.
While you could postpone installing Patch Tuesdayupdates, this isn’t recommended. This is because Patch Tuesday is usually followed by Exploit Wednesday, a day where cyber attacks are on the rise and they target those that haven’t installed the latest updates.
That’s pretty much everything there is to know about Patch Tuesday. If you have any further questions about it, let us know in the comments section below.
Just a couple of weeks to go for Christmas and it’s raining deals already. It’s that time of the year when shopping is in full force, for their loved ones and so, Christmas deals on tech gifts are too hot to resist.
Tech gifts are high on the priority list due to their versatility. From gaming deals to the latest smartphones and other devices, there is an attractive deal for each of them.
Online or offline, Christmas tech deals are pouring in and so, this is the opportunity to grab the festive bargain.
We have handpicked some of the hottest Christmas deals on tech gifts and created a list just for you.
The new-age Samsung QLED Smart TV is the desired device for anyone who enjoys the Christmas spirit watching holiday movies in 4K resolution with an AI processor and blasting sound.
You can benefit from lively motion due to its fluid display that has 120Hz with the Motion Xcelerator Plus feature. Plus, the new speakers model gives crystal-clear sound.
A worth mentioning feature is the Quantum Dot for glowing colors, plus HDR and Dual LED backlights to enhance your visual experience.
In addition, this Samsung Smart TV is the new wave in terms of image quality. You have the Quantum 4K processor that turns anything into 4K. Even more, you have multiple voice assistants to choose from like Alexa, Bixby, or Google Assistant.
The next massive acquisition you can have this Christmas is the new iPad with a colorful aspect and redesigned architecture, including the Liquid Retina display and 10.9 inches.
You can use this Apple device for numerous activities like business tasks, drawing your art and sketches, and multitasking on different projects. All of that is due to its A14 bionic chip with 6 core processor and 4-core GPU.
In terms of camera quality, you have 12mp front and back wide cameras with a center stage tool for impeccable calls and pictures.
One of the biggest advantages of this product is the Magic Keyboard Folio and Apple pencil to get more flexibility for getting the job done.
A camera is just the right gift for those who love to shoot. This digital camera is perfect for video capture that records in different resolutions. It offers easy field use for professionals due to its compact size.
Furthermore, it’s easy to use as it places its main controls in easily accessible positions. It’s equally easy to zoom in using the attached lens.
It features Leica DC Vario-Summilux 10.9–34 mm f/1.7–2.8 ASPH lens that offers a super-fast aperture. Along with it, is the dynamic zoom range that’s almost equal to 24mm- 75mm on a 35mm type sensor. Wireless connectivity, Image Shuttle app, and the NFC module are some of the other significant features that make it a must-buy.
Smart speakers are in and the Echo Dot is just what you want this Christmas as a gift. The latest version comes with a massive improvement in audio quality. It sports a smart new design without a price hike.
Although it’s not the smartest, it offers a great experience with basic questions like music, news updates, light switching, and jokes.
Nokia Steel Watch makes for a perfect Christmas Tech Deal for 2018 for the fitness freaks. It’s a simple, yet sleek looking watch that’s doing pretty good in the wearable category. It flaunts a minimalistic design and comes with a step-counting dial to keep a track of your sets.
Excellent battery life with no charging required for eight months. Moreover, it works with regular watch batteries. It comes with a user-friendly Nokia Health Mate App that displays all the stats.
When it comes to gifting phones from Christmas tech deals of 2018, no one can miss Samsung. Get the unlocked and sim-free version of the Samsung Galaxy S9 with the 12MP front camera to impress. Perfect for selfies, this phone offers a shiny metal body with a 5.8-inch screen.
64GB inbuilt storage, 3000mAh battery, and 8MP rear camera are some of its other specifications. S9 runs on Android 8 Oreo and is available in three color variants – Black, Blue, and Purple.
This is an innovative gadget that allows users to enter a well-lit home even while they are away. It allows users to have a smart light control using the app from any location, anytime.
While it makes the existing bulbs to act smart, it also allows users to control the app with voice or touch. It’s a perfect Christmas gift for the gadget freaks who love to experiment with something new.
This smart little pair of earbuds by Soundcore makes a steal this Christmas. It offers breathtaking sound quality through the Graphene drivers.
Moreover, the headphones can run at a stretch of 3.5 hours on a single charge with added 9 hours in the handy charging case. Ultra-fast pairing and water-resistant features make it a must-buy this season.
Microsoft Surface laptop battery complaints are not entirely uncommon. Surface users have previously posted on the Microsoft support forum about battery draining. However, an MVP on the Microsoft support forum has also revealed a series of posts pertaining to Surface laptop battery swelling.
He added that Microsoft seems willing to replace Surface laptops with swelling batteries that are within three years of original purchase date. However, a good number of Surface laptops with swelling batteries might be older than three years. Thus, not all users might be able to get free replacements for Surface laptops with swelling batteries.
I’ve contact Microsoft Technical support, after holding the line for almost 25 mins, a Microsoft Agent told me that my Surface is passed 3 years warranty, it was bought on March 2016. upon asking what are my options, he replied “I can only advise you to purchase a new Surface device”
I replied by “I bought a microsoft Surface book for 1700$ cash, you can’t tell me to pay another 1700$ after 3 years! what should I do with my current surface book? they simply said that they cannot help in any way.
I then asked him, if i want to repair it at my own expense, can i? he said “Microsoft Service Center can’t receive any product with expired warranty for battery swollen issues”. they know that their products have issues, yet this is their answer.
Microsoft remains tight-lipped
Microsoft has seemingly not provided much of a response to the battery swelling issue. Apparently, the company urges users to tell MS support if their Surface laptops have swelling batteries. If the laptops are within warranty at least, users can return them to Microsoft for free repairs or replacements.
The bigger question is whether Microsoft should be prepared to replace Surface laptops with swelling batteries purchased longer than three years ago. The big M is not legally obliged to replace laptops, or other devices, that fall outside their warranty periods.
Do not continue to utilize a Surface laptop with a swelling battery. Users who suspect their Surface laptops have swelling batteries should first get in touch with Microsoft to enquire as to whether it can be repaired. Unless the Surface device is still within its warranty period, however, there is no guarantee the big M will freely fix or provide a replacement for it.
Editor’s Note: If you’re interested in reading more news and other posts on Microsoft Surface, check out our wide collection of guides.
You probably never thought you were ever going to need software to emulate cables but here you are, looking at a list of the best virtual audio cable software solutions. So let’s cut to the chase, you can probably agree that sound works in mysterious ways and sometimes you can’t seem to get to the root of the issue.
Well, that’s where specialized tools such as VB-Audio CABLE, JACK Audio Connection Kit, Loopback, and Carla step into action. These software solutions were specifically designed to help you route the sound however you see fit in a quick and convenient manner, without having to use real audio cables.
While some of them are just audio drivers in disguise, others offer more sophisticated solutions such as routing audio and MIDI data between apps or taking audio signals and using them as global inputs for any other source.
What are the best virtual audio cable software tools?
Virtual Audio Cable
Virtual Audio Cable is a software tool for Windows computers that does exactly what you’d expect it to do: acts as a virtual version of an audio cable and makes sure that the sound reaches its desired destination every time.
The behavior of this program is similar to the “Stereo Mix” feature of some hardware audio cards, better known as “What You Hear”. Virtual Audio Cable enables you to transfer up to 256 different audio signals between any applications simultaneously.
No audio hardware is required to use Virtual Audio Cable on your computer, but it becomes a necessity if you want to either hear the results or record signals from external sources.
This tool can be used on computers without audio cards to record audio signals that are generated by applications.
VB-Audio CABLE
VB-Audio CABLE is a specialized software solution that can help you emulate a physical audio cable between apps on your computer by routing the audio signals generated by programs to any other app.
Since this tool acts as an audio driver, it should be very easy to decide the route of your audio signal by simply changing the input and output devices from within the apps you’re interested in connecting via sound.
Many programs and games allow you to decide what audio input and output devices should they use, just in case multiple such devices are available on your computer. VB-Audio CABLE took this feature and used it as its advantage to become widely accessible.
JACK Audio Connection Kit
JACK Audio Connection Kit is an ensemble of tools that can help you manipulate audio signals in terms of deciding what their routes should be on your computer in a quick, hassle-free manner.
This tool is but the backbone of a system designed to help you get various audio applications to communicate with each other, and with audio hardware as well. It’s similar to what a cable does to a guitar and an amplifier, but in this case, you get to decide which signal goes where.
JACK Audio Connection Kit can be easily installed on your computer thanks to the intuitive wizard that’s embedded within the installer, but configuring it once it’s installed might prove to be a bit difficult.
There are a lot of guides and a rich FAQ section on the official website that can help you simplify this part.
Carla
Carla is a modular software host for audio plugins that features support for a wide range of audio drivers and plugin formats. Some of this tool’s most important features are its transport control, parameter automation via MIDI CC, and remote control over OSC.
Supported plugin formats:
LADSPA (LRDF included);
DSSI;
VST2;
VST3;
AU;
LV2;
SF2 + SFZ file support;
Supported audio drivers:
JACK (preferred);
ALSA
DirectSound;
CoreAudio;
Carla comes with a sleek, dark-themed interface that packs its controls in an organized, non-cluttered manner and is somewhat customizable. You can keep the custom theme but use system colors, or even disable it altogether, even though it won’t look as nice.
The first time when you run Carla, you might want to scan your whole system for plugins. Your plugin folders can be customized in the configuration section of the program.
After you add new plugins, make sure to hit the refresh button so that the tool can receive the correct feed details.
Closing thoughts on best virtual audio cable software
Bottom line, if you find yourself working with various audio applications all the time and you can’t seem to find a good way to get all signals properly organized, it may be a sign that you need a helping hand from specialized software solutions.
Carla, JACK Audio Connection Kit, and Virtual Audio Cable are some of the best tools that can help you route the audio signals to and from many applications or devices, depending on your needs.
If you own a Windows PC and like keeping it updated constantly, then you are familiar with what Patch Tuesday is.
For those of you who don’t know, Patch Tuesday is generally the second Tuesday of every month when Microsoft releases their latest updates across all of their products. This is a time when everyone is eager to get the latest patches installed and see what new things are brought to the table.
Of course, if you want to be successful in installing Patch Tuesday updates on your PC without any problems and as fast as possible, you’ll need to follow some steps first.
How do I get ready for Patch Tuesday?
1. How to avoid Patch Tuesday issues and errors
Read up on specialized forums what the new updates are supposed to bring and see whether or not they are worth installing at all.
Additionally, every security update issued by Microsoft comes with a bulletin that’s published by the Microsoft Security Response Center at about the same times the patches are released.
If you read up and see that future updates may have issues that affect your work, in particular, make sure Windows Auto Update blocks automatic updates.
While this is just a temporary solution, it may be a good idea to wait it out until hotfixes are released. For more info on how to do this, check out this dedicated guide
As always, customers are advised to follow these security best practices:
Install vendor patches as soon as they are available
Run all software with the least privileges required while still maintaining functionality
Avoid handling files from unknown or questionable sources
Never visit sites of unknown or questionable integrity
Block external access at the network perimeter to all key systems unless specific access is required
On the other hand, using a third-party PC repair tool with powerful features oriented towards keeping your system and all the apps healthy is recommended.
2. How to download Patch Tuesday updates faster?
If you’ve read the documentation and see that the chance of encountering issues is minimal, you can go ahead and set Windows Auto Update to enabled. By doing this, your PC will automatically download the patch and prepare to install it as soon as it is available in your region.
Like any other update, if you don’t want to waste time waiting for it to finish, simply make sure nothing is taking up any of your bandwidth.
3. How does Patch Tuesday affect companies?
When it comes to companies that own hundreds of computers, implementing Patch Tuesday updates is a bit trickier. This is because implementing a companywide patch management process requires top-level support.
Though these steps may vary, the larger point is the updates should not be installed as they become available.
You would then need to create a core patch management team, and have a testing process that also involves stakeholders in testing, which takes up time and resources.
This usually results in some brief company downtime, but if the IT department is well organized, this shouldn’t take too long.
Closing thoughts on best practices for Patch Tuesday
Patch Tuesday isn’t all that important for casual users, but for those that need their PC to be in tip-top shape at all times, it is one of the most important times of the month.
While admittedly Microsoft has never been successful at delivering issue-free updates, they always came through with hot-fixes immediately. All things considered, if you value your PC’s integrity, knowing how and when to apply Patch Tuesday updates can be critical in the long run.
If you found our article about Patch Tuesday to be useful, let us know in the comments section below, and we will bring you more on the topic.
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Christmas songs are one of the main trademarks of the winter holiday season. What better feeling than to come back home and hear your favorite Christmas songs playing on your Windows computer?
There are many Christmas songs you can listen to, from classic Christmas songs to Christmas songs for kids. In this article, we’re going to list the best Christmas songs and filter them by music genre.
Best classic Christmas songs
1. Diana Krall’s Christmas Songs (suggested)
This is Diana Krall’s first full-length Christmas album. It offers 12 wonderful Christmas songs performed in a blues/ jazz note. According to Microsoft’s review of the album, these songs deliver a smoky, sophisticated, and slightly melancholy atmosphere, perfectly suited for romantic afterglow holiday affairs.
If you’re a Michael Bublé fan, this is the right Christmas song album for you. The album features a series of popular Christmas songs, such as It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas, Santa Claus Is Coming To Town, Santa Baby, I’ll Be Home For Christmas and many more.
Buy the album from Amazon, grab a cup of tea, sit back in your armchair and enjoy Christmas.
If you want to listen to the most popular Christmas songs performed by well-known singers, such as Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra or Billie Holiday, then this is the perfect choice for you. This album includes 49 songs with a total duration of 2 hours and 6 minutes.
Editor’s Note: If you’re interested in other gift ideas and tools to get your PC ready for Christmas, check out our wide collection of guides.
4. Greatest Christmas Songs
Greatest Christmas Songs brings you the piano version of 23 wonderful Christmas songs. This album will cast a fairy-tale-like mood over your entire house, while the well-known Christmas notes will put a smile on your face.
The Classic Christmas Songs album brings you 49 popular Christmas songs performed in a modern manner. Your ears will like the classical guitar notes blended with the singers’ warm voices.
If you like classical music, you’ll definitely like this Christmas song album. Popular Christmas Songs – Feliz Navidad offers you 20 Christmas songs performed in a classical music manner. All songs are instrumental and are dominated by harmonious harp notes blended with beautiful flute notes.
Tony Bennett is a name that doesn’t need any introduction. Immerse yourself in the Christmas atmosphere of yesteryear with this impressive Christmas album.
Who doesn’t love Frank Sinatra? What better way to celebrate Christmas than to listen to classic Christmas songs sung by Sinatra?
Get this Christmas album from Amazon and enjoy 20 classics from Sinatra such as ‘White Christmas,’ ‘Silent Night,’ ‘Jingle Bells’ and ‘Santa Claus Is Coming To Town.’
To end the Christmas evening in style, gather the whole family around and watch one of Sinatra’s movies.
Best Christmas songs for kids
Children love listening to Christmas songs. As soon as you hit the play button, your children will start dancing and singing along. To fuel their energy, you can purchase one of these Christmas song albums for children.
If you’re not big on songs, perhaps a Christmas card will do and we’ve got just the right Christmas fonts to make it all special. That’s about it for our Christmas song list. Happy holiday season!
Wearing fashionable sweaters is no big deal during winters, but wearing an ugly sweater is. Yes, the trend of ugly Christmas sweaters is back. The latest entry to the ugly Christmas sweater combat is the Gears of War Christmas Sweater. For the ardent Gears of War fans, this is the time to rejoice.
The heavy knitted sweater and the other merchandise sports the famous omen logo from the video game. The collection is a bliss for the Gears of War junkies who like to hoard all the collectibles from the game maker. The range includes games, apparels, accessories, and more.
While there’s an exclusive range of Gears of War 4 merchandise available on Amazon, sweaters, sweatshirts, and hoodies are also up for grab. From kids to adults, there’s one for everyone. But, what better than gifting a sweater that features the favorite character from the famous game this winter?
So, for those who have a crazy fan of this game at home, Gears of War Christmas sweater will make for a perfect gift.
We recommend this quick list of Gears of War sweaters as a gifting option this Christmas.
4 Gears of War Christmas sweaters not to miss
Loot Crate Gears of War Hoodie – Unisex Sizing
This exclusive merchandise by Loot Crate features two different logos from the game, in the front, and on the back. It’s a black hoodie from the Gears of War Christmas Sweaters range made of 80% cotton and 20% polyester. This medium duty, thick hoodie is perfect for the start of the winters or as a day wear.
It’s an officially licensed brand that offers quality merchandise with perfect size options. Best of all, it offers Unisex sizing, that makes it a great Christmas gift this season.
This is available in XL size and is specially designed for kids. Available in single color, black, this Gears of War Hooded Sweatshirt is made of 100% cotton. The hood is double lined with identical drawcords. While this is perfect for everyday use, its’ also good for physical activities like running, jogging, exercise, and fitness.
The brand uses the latest garment technology and prints individually. Handwash is suggested to maintain quality and avoid deformation.
KissKid Gears of War Adults Baseball Uniform Jacket
It comes in ten sizes and features a double lined hood with identical drawcords. The brand uses latest garment technology for best quality and comes individually printed. This black hoodie sports the Gears of War logo on the back.
Perfect for daily use, it is also a great wear for physical activities. Handwash is recommended to maintain quality and avoid deformity. This lightweight Gears of War Christmas sweater is a great gift for the loved ones.
Editor’s Note: If you’re interested in other gift ideas and tools to get your PC ready for Christmas, check out our wide collection of guides.
Diamonds Jun Gears of War Children’s Pullover Hooded Sweatshirt
This black Gears of War Children’s Pullover Hooded Sweatshirt is made of cotton. Printed with the famous omen symbol from the game in the front, it’s perfect for daily wear. The sweatshirt comes with a double lined hood along with matching drawcord. The brand uses modern garment technology and comes with individual prints.
It features no pockets and to prevent deforming, handwash is recommended
Finding the perfect Christmas gift can be daunting, but our recommendations make shopping easier. Grab these trendy Gears of War Christmas sweaters this season as great surprise gifts.
If you’re planning to buy a Christmas gift for a person who already has everything, you’d better be ready to spend a nice fortune on a cool present if you really want to him/her.
Now, if you’ve got no idea what Christmasgift to get for a rich person, keep reading this guide. We’ll list 5 gift ideas that will definitely impress even wealthy people.
We tried to find some really nice gifts that are expensive enough to impress the recipient but also affordable enough not to break the bank. Enjoy!
Expensive tech Christmas gifts
Bowers & Wilkins P9 Headphones
Bowers & Wilkins doesn’t need any introduction. This pair of over the ear headphones are crafted from high quality Italian Saffiano luxury leather which helps to create an overall classy design.
The forged foldable aluminum arms offer excellent durability. Think of these headphones as an investment. You pay a few hundred dollars but you get an accessory that will last a lifetime.
Speaking of enjoying the perfect sound experience, here’s another idea for a Christmas gift: the Harman Kardon GO+Play portable speaker.
I personally own one (the black version) and I wouldn’t trade it for any other speaker. It generates really deep bass frequencies that make your windows vibrate – literally.
You can stream music wirelessly via Bluetooth and the built-in rechargeable battery can power you for up to 8 hours of playtime.
The speaker is made of premium materials and the flawless fabric finishing and stainless steel handle create a very nice design.
This 12.8 MP digital camera sports a 3-inch LCD screen and is perfect for vintage lovers. It has a clean minimalist design that make it stand out in the crowd. Simple yet sophisticated or form follows function, as Leica says.
D-Lux is equipped with one of the fastest lenses on the market for outstanding zoom performances.
If your budget allows you to step up the game, then check out this pricey Leica Q 24.2 MP digital 35 MM camera.
Editor’s Note: If you’re interested in other tools to get your PC ready for Christmas (or gift ideas for that matter), check out our wide collection of guides.
DJI Phantom 3 Professional Drone
If you’re looking for a really impressive drone model to buy it as a Christmas gift, there are plenty of devices in the $200- $300 range.
But if you want a drone that will definitely impress your loved ones, then the DJI Phantom 3 is the right choice for you. This is the perfect gift for vloggers or photography enthusiasts.
Here’s what this drone packs:
4K UHD video camera
4 propellers and another extra set of 4 propellers in case you need to replace one
Microsoft has rolled out KB4533028 cumulative update. That is a cumulative update for the Windows 10 Insider preview build 19035. It is another step closer to an RTM release for Windows 10 2004, which is reaching completion.
As per usual, Microsoft’s senior manager for the Windows Insider Program, Mr. LeBlanc, announced the update for preview build 19035 on Windows Blogs. He confirmed that this update is available for Windows Insiders on both the Slow and Fast rings. Mr. LeBlanc also added that the KB4533028 update is primarily for testing the 20H1 service pipeline.
So, this update only includes minor Windows 10 2004 bug fixes. Mr. LeBlanc confirmed that Microsoft has completed a Windows Update driver update experiment. He stated:
We’ve completed the experiment related to how we deliver driver updates through Windows Update. Devices that were involved in the experiment will no longer see the Optional Updates link under Settings > Windows Update. This also resolves an issue where after successfully installing printer drivers from the Optional Updates section, the same driver is still showing as available for install. Thanks to the Insiders who have provided feedback on this feature.
Microsoft thanked users for feedback on the MS Store Notepad version. The big M confirmed that it has pulled the MS Store Notepad version from the 19035 preview build. Users will need to repin the Notepad to their taskbars or Start menus after installing the 19035 preview build.
BattlEye issues are here to stay
Microsoft also confirmed that the BattlEye anti-cheat software incompatibility issue continues to persist with the latest Windows Insider preview build. Thus, Microsoft’s compatibility hold for rolling out Windows Insider preview builds to devices with BattlEye installed continues. However, users can still install the 19035 preview build by uninstalling BattlEye.
Download KB4533028
You can automatically download KB4533028 on your computer via Windows Update. Once again, this update is only available for Insiders.
It is now expected that the Windows 10 2004 will reach RTM (finalized) stage in December 2019. Microsoft has not confirmed when it will release Windows 10 2004. However, with that OS version now feature ready, the software giant might launch it earlier than usual.
Adobe’s Creative Cloud is a proprietary platform off of which you can download, install, manage, launch and uninstall Adobe products. This means everything from Photoshop to Lightroom, all from one unique platform.
When you first install it, it will sit idly in the background, performing routine checks to see if the programs you have are of the latest version or not.
However, it would seem that some users are having issues with the Adobe Creative Cloud. They have been reporting on forums that the desktop app is sometimes using a lot of CPU resources, even when it is simply sitting idly.
The CPU usage is 113% mainly due to creative cloud -> Adobe Service Desktop.exe. This has been so for almost half an hour, but when I stop the service, CPU usage drops immediately. When I restart the computer, nothing changes, high CPU usage again.
As far as users describe the issue, even high-end PCs seem to be having this problem.
That is why we’ve made this step-by-step guide so that you can work on your PC efficiently, without Creative Cloud taking up all of your CPU resources.
How can I stop Creative Cloud from using too much CPU?
1. Disable font syncing and file syncing
Open Creative Cloud
Go to the Preferences Panel
Select the Creative Cloud tab
Go to Fonts
Right under TYPEKIT ON/OFF, select Off
Go to the Files tab
Right under SYNCKIT ON/OFF, select Off
Confirm the changes
Restart the PC
2. Suspend any antivirus program running in the background
Since suspending an antivirus program varies from product to product, please go to the antivirus developer’s website for more information on the matter.
Anyone that uses an Adobe product is probably familiar with what Creative Cloud is. For those of you who don’t know, Adobe’s Creative Cloud is a platform from which you can install, manage and launch all of your Adobe products.
Every time you install an Adobe product, the Creative Cloud gets installed by default, and you need it to install more programs afterward.
The problem is that some users have encountered issues with their Creative Cloud desktop app, and they went on forums to report it:
I downloaded Creative Cloud on my desktop PC earlier wanting to activate the free trial of some CC apps (mainly Premiere Pro), however, when I launched the CC app, there was no “Apps” tab in the CC app. There were the other tabs, “Learn”, “Files”, “Font”, “Stock” and “Bēhance” but no “Apps” tab to download from.
This step-by-step guide will show you what you need to do to make the Apps tab appear in the Creative Cloud again.
How can I make the Apps tab appear in the Creative Cloud app?
1. If you belong in an organization
A lot of organizations limit the apps you can install and therefore disable the Apps tab in the Creative Cloud desktop app. If you encounter any of these issues, then you need to contact your administrator:
The Apps tab is missing from your Creative Cloud desktop app
The Apps tab displays the message: You don’t have access to manage apps
2. If you don’t belong to an organization
You will need to uninstall and re-install the Adobe Creative Cloud app, which involves the following steps:
Navigate to you install directory of Adobe products
This is typically C:Program Files (x86)Common filesAdobe
Locate the AAM Updater, OOBE folder, and Adobe application manager folder
Delete them
The folders are usually set to Hidden, so be sure to set your windows explorer to see hidden files and folders
If you encounter issues deleting any of the folders, open the Task Manager and stop all Adobe-related processes
In this age, where we create a new online account every few days, having to manage and store the credentials has become a task in itself. While password managers are a great way to store your credentials, some people may have security concerns when it comes to password managers.
Another way to store your credentials is to use a spreadsheet. Again, it is still saved on your computer or cloud storage account.
Email address and password organizer books can help you resolve this issue. In this article, we have listed the best books to keep your most sensitive data safe by writing it down.
What are the best email and password organizer book deals?
The Personal Internet Address and Password Logbook
The Personal Internet Address & Password Logbook is a premium hardcover spiral book for those who are tired of losing track of the websites they visit.
It comes with a removable cover bank and a funky cover design. Tabbed A-to-z pages make it easy to look for any information in alphabetical order. You can write down any additional information in the back of the book as well.
Pros:
Tabbed pages to find the information quickly
You can note down the name, address, username, password, and notes
Internet Password Keeper Book is an effective way of keeping track of websites, password and user names. The book is made of quality materials with a sturdy plastic cover that resists rips, tears, and folds.
This compact spiral-bound book has tabbed pages to enter information in alphabetical order. Each tab can hold up to 30 entries and there is a total of 65 pages that are usable.
If you want a slightly large book with plenty of pages, My Password Book has you covered. It comes with a total of 130 usable pages offering plenty of space to store your information.
It is an ideal book to write down the long passwords, long website addresses, and multiple security questions. Similar to other books, My Password Book also comes with tabbed pages providing easier access to information.
As the name suggests, LARGE PRINT Password Book is a pretty large book and is ideal for seniors who like more room to write.
It comes with 112 pages with A-Z organized tabs. The cover of the book has no information indicating it is a password book. LARGE PRINT Password Book is also an excellent gift idea for people who have a hard time remembering passwords and usernames.
Password Book Green allows you to organize the pages with tabs. You can record username, websites address, phone number, password, and more.
A wire binds all the pages so the book can lay completely flat. The pages are of good quality, and the cover feels sturdy. Password Book Green comes in 4 different colors offering more customization options.
Final thoughts on email and password organiser book
Password organizers are more useful than you may think. With a password keeper book, you don’t have to worry about data theft over the internet. However, it is important to keep the book safe from prying eyes to prevent unauthorized access.
If you have a .CAN file that you are trying to open but your computer can’t find the appropriate program to open it, you are not alone. A .CAN file type is primarily associated with “.CAN Encryptor/Decryptor” and is used for encrypting files.
Since .CAN files are not the most common file types, the programs to open these files aren’t usually installed on most computers. In this article, we have listed a couple of software solutions that can help you to open and view .CAN files on your PC.
What programs can I use to open .CAN files?
MP Navigator
MP Navigator is a Canon proprietary software. This application software allows you to scan, save, and print photos and documents. You can also edit images and attach them directly to email through the app.
Needless to say, MP Navigator is also capable of opening valid .CAN files. Here’s how to use it:
Download and install MP Navigator from the official Canon website
Launch MP Navigator and click on File > Open.
Navigate and select the .CAN file you want to open
Click OK and MP navigator will open the file
You can minor adjustments to the file using the built-in editing tools
XnView MP/Classic is among the most popular and widely used free image viewer that supports several file formats. It allows you to edit your photo file and enhance it using features like colour adjusting, image resizer, cropping, metadata editing and more.
Here is how to use XnView to open .CAN files:
Download and install XnView MP from the official website.
Launch XnView MP and click on File > Open.
Navigate and select the .CAN file you want to open.
If successfully loaded, you can edit and make changes to the image using the built-in editing tools.
Some notable features in XnView MP include batch renaming, batch converter, duplicate image finder, image compare and a slideshow creator.
Most PC users rarely come across the .CAN file format while doing day to day tasks on their computer, which makes it difficult to find the right program to access this specific file type.
In this article, we have listed the two best software solutions that can help you to open and view these files with ease. Go through the list and let us know your pick in the comments.
Those of you that are actively following the continuous development of Microsoft products surely know about MicrosoftPatch Tuesday.
For those of you that are just casual users, Patch Tuesday is an unofficial term used to refer to when Microsoft releases software updates for its products. It is also called that way because it is always the second Tuesday of each month.
While Patch Tuesday may be popular, fewer people know about Exploit Wednesday and Uninstall Thursday.
What exactly are Exploit Wednesday and Uninstall Thursday?
What is Exploit Wednesday?
Just like you read the patch notes to see what are the new features included in the latest update, cybercriminals analyze the patch notes to see what the weak points are.
The day after Patch Tuesday there is usually a rise in the number of attacks against unpatched systems. This has been dubbed by some as Exploit Wednesday or Day Zero.
More so, plenty of malicious parties will also hold off on exploiting bugs found in Windows software until after Patch Tuesday.
How do I stay safe during Exploit Wednesday?
Malware launched during Exploit Wednesday specifically targets those that have not updated their system yet. Because of this, there are a few things you can do to avoid being a target:
Install Windows updates as soon as they go live
One efficient way to do this is to set Windows Automatic Updates to Enabled
Run only software that requires few privileges
Do not access files from unknown or questionable sources
Never visit sites of unknown or questionable integrity
Do not allow external access at the network perimeter to all key systems
While these steps should be followed at all times, Exploit Wednesday is when you should be particularly careful.
What is Uninstall Thursday?
More of a joke in the Microsoft Community, it pokes fun at Microsoft’s tendency to never deliver a Patch Tuesday update without critical issues for some users.
Thus, Uninstall Thursday is basically the day after you realize what exactly in Patch Tuesday is causing issues with your PC, and you uninstall that particular component.
Normally, Uninstall Thursday is followed quickly by a day in which Microsoft releases hotfixes, so it is sometimes short-lived or doesn’t get to happen at all.
How do I stay safe during Uninstall Thursday?
Unfortunately, there isn’t much you can do about Uninstall Thursday, except for the following:
Read the changelogs carefully to see what updates there are so you know what component you should uninstall
Wait until Microsoft releases a hotfix for your particular problem
By following these steps, you should be able to get through every Patch Tuesday, Exploit Wednesday and Uninstall Thursday with minimal casualties (or hopefully, none at all) to your PC’s well-being.
What are your experiences with patch Tuesday and the days that follow it? If you found this article helpful, let us know in the comments section below.
Battlefield 4 players have reported various issues on Windows 10, such as crashes, low performance and missing .dll files. All these problems can ruin your Battlefield 4 experience, but fortunately for you, there’s a way to fix all of these problems.
It has been reported that Battlefield 4 has some issues with SLI and Crossfire on Windows 10, and if the latest drivers don’t help you with crashes, maybe it’s the best solution to temporarily disable SLI or Crossfire.
To disable SLI follow these instructions:
Open NVIDIA Control Panel.
Go to 3D Settings > Set SLI Configuration.
Make sure that Do Not Use SLI Technology is selected.
Click Apply to save changes.
If you use AMD cards, you can disable Crossfire by following these steps:
Open Catalyst Control Center.
Click Graphics > Crossfire.
Uncheck Enable Crossfire.
Click OK to save the changes.
After disabling SLI or Crossfire your game performance might drop, but the game should be more stable.
2. Update your graphic card drivers
According to players, Battlefield 4 crashes after 5 minutes of gameplay. It seems that there’s a memory leak that causes performance to drop from 150 fps to 40 fps before the game crashes. This makes the game impossible to play, but there’s a solution available.
This sounds like a serious issue because it significantly reduces game performance, but there’s a way to fix that. To fix this issue you just need to go to your graphic card manufacturer’s website and download the latest drivers. It has been confirmed that Nvidia has released a new set of drivers that fixes this issue, so make sure that you download them as soon as you can.
2.1 Update drivers automatically and avoid the nuisance
It can be annoying to update drivers manually, so we suggest using a special tool to automatically do this. By using this kind of tool you will avoid file destruction and even irreversible damage to your computer while updating the right version of drivers.
3. Disable hardware acceleration in your browser
Users report that Windows 10 uses hardware acceleration for browsers differently then previous versions of Windows, and this is one of the reasons for frame rate drop in Battlefield 4.
Since you launch Battlefield 4 using your browser, the issues with hardware acceleration persist throughout the game, but you can fix this by disabling hardware acceleration in your browser. We’ll show you how to disable hardware acceleration in Internet Explorer, but if you use a different browser, make sure that you disable hardware acceleration for a browser that you use.
Click the gear icon in the top right corner.
Choose Internet options.
Click the Advanced tab.
Check Use software rendering instead of GPU rendering.
Restart your computer.
After the restart, try running Battlefield 4 again. Hopefully, you’ll see some performance improvement.
4. Change Registry settings
This solution applies to you only if you have Battlefield 4 DLCs installed, but you can’t run any maps from DLCs. When trying to run a map from DLC you’ll get a Requires Additional Expansion Pack message that will prevent you from starting the selected map. In order to fix this issue, you need to change a few values in your registry, so let’s see how to do that.
Go to Battlefield 4 installation directory. By default it should be C:Program Files (x86)Origin GamesBattlefield 4.
Go to the Update directory. You should see one or more Xpack folders. Each of these folders represents one DLC. You need to remember the names of the folders, because you’ll need them later.
Start Registry Editor. You can start Registry Editor by pressing Windows Key + R and typing regedit. After typing regedit press Enter or click OK to open Registry Editor.
When Registry Editor opens, navigate to the following key in the left pane:
You should see some keys named Xpack. These keys represent the Xpack folders from Step 2.If certain Xpack keys are missing in the registry but there are folders with the same name in the Updates folder in Step 2, you’ll need to add them manually. Basically, you need to have all Xpack folders from Step 2 added to your registry.
Right-click the Battlefield 4 key, choose New > Key.
Enter the name of key so that it matches the name of the Xpack folders from Step 2. For example, if Xpack3 is missing from the registry, name the new key Xpack3.
Right-click the newly created key, in our example Xpack3, and choose New > String value.
Name the newly created String value Installed.
Double click Installed.
In Value data field type True and press OK to save the changes.
Repeat steps 6 to 12 until you’ve added all Xpack keys for all Xpack folders from Step 2.
5. Disable automatic driver installation and download older version of graphic card drivers
Windows 10 automatically updates your drivers, and sometimes that can create issues with certain games, such as Battlefield 4 in our case. So in certain cases it’s better that you disable automatic driver updates:
Open Control Panel.
Go to System & Security.
Click the Hardware tab and select Device Installation Settings.
Select No, let me choose what to do.
Now select Never install driver software from Windows Update.
After doing that you can uninstall your current graphics card driver and download the older version from your graphic card manufacturer. Remember to download an older version of the driver only if the latest version isn’t working properly for you.
6. Close EVGA Precision X
EVGA Precision X is an overclocking tool for Nvidia graphic cards, and it has been reported that the latest version of this tool causes some issues with Battlefield 4. According to users, they can’t even launch the game because it crashes to desktop all the time.
So far, only solution is to disable EVGA Precision X while playing Battlefield 4, or if you really need to use EVGA Precision X, you can switch to the previous version that works great with Battlefield 4.
7. Disable antivirus / firewall and run Origin as administrator
If the game is giving you unexpected errors, doesn’t start or stops working suddenly, you can try to run Origin as administrator. Just find Origin shortcut, right-click it, and choose Run as administrator from the menu.
If running Origin as administrator doesn’t help, you might have to temporarily disable your antivirus and firewall and try to start the game again.
8. Lower graphic quality and game resolution
Users have reported DirectX function, free virtual memory and total resource memory errors. These errors are caused by the lack of graphics card memory, and the only way to fix this is to lower your in game graphic settings and game resolution.
In the worst-case scenario, you might have to upgrade your graphics card with a new one that has more memory.
9. Create a new cfg file
Creating a new .cfg file might help you with frame rate issues and lag, so let’s see how to create a .cfg file in Windows 10.
Open Notepad and add the following lines to it:
GameTime.MaxVariableFps 60
PerfOverlay.DrawFps 1
PostProcess.DynamicAOEnable 0
RenderDevice.Dx11Enable 0
RenderDevice.ForceRenderAheadLimit 1
RenderDevice.TripleBufferingEnable 0
WorldRender.DxDeferredCsPathEnable 0
WorldRender.FxaaEnable 0
WorldRender.MotionBlurEnable 0
WorldRender.SpotLightShadowmapEnable 0
WorldRender.SpotLightShadowmapResolution 256
WorldRender.TransparencyShadowmapsEnable 0
Now you need to save file as user.cfg. To do that do the following:
In Notepad click File > Save as.
In Save as type, field select All files from the menu.
Enter user.cfg file in the File name field.
Now save the file to Battlefield 4 installation directory. By default it should be C:Program Files (x86)Origin GamesBattlefield 4.
10. Change anti-aliasing and anisotropic settings
If your game freezes or crashes during the loading screen, you can try changing anti-aliasing and anisotropic settings in Nvidia Control Panel.
Open Nvidia Control Panel.
Go to Manage 3D settings.
Find anti-aliasing and anisotropic settings and change their values to Use application settings.
If you use AMD graphic card, you can change these options from Catalyst Control Center in a similar way. If changing anti-aliasing and anisotropic settings doesn’t help, you can try to turn off cloud storage option in Origin and update PunkBuster.
11. Move dxgi.dll to Battlefield 4 installation directory
If you’re getting an error saying that dxgi.dll is missing, you can easily fix this by moving the dxgi.dll to Battlefield 4 installation directory. To do that, follow these steps:
Go to C:WindowsSystem32.
In System32 locate the file called dxgi.dll.
Copy the file to the Battlefield 4 installation directory. By default it should be C:Program Files (x86)Origin GamesBattlefield 4, but the location might be different on your computer.
12. Install Visual C Redistributables
If you’re getting error saying that Msvcr110.dll or Msvcr120.dll is missing you need to reinstall Visual C Redistributables. You won’t have to download anything because you can install Visual C Redistributables from Battlefield 4 installation directory.
Just go to C:Program Files (x86)Origin GamesBattlefield 4_InstallerVCvc2012Update3redist folder and install x86 and x64 version of VCredist.exe.
13. End BTTray.exe process using Task Manager
It was reported that Battlefield 4 minimizes every time you press the Caps Lock button on your keyboard. This can be extremely frustrating if you press it by accident while playing, but there’s a way to fix that.
Start Task Manager. You can start Task Manager by pressing Windows Key + X and choosing Task Manager from the list.
When Task Manager starts you need to find the process called BTTray.exe and end it.
Now you can start the game, and the game won’t minimize if you accidentally press Caps Lock again.
We have to mention that you’ll have to repeat this step every time you want to start Battlefield 4 in order to avoid this problem.
14. Disable Origin in-game
Some players suggested that disabling Origin in-game may fix Battlefield 4 issues. The instructions for this workaround are very easy to follow: simply go to Origin > Application settings > Origin in Game > disable Origin in-game.
15. If you run Windows 64bit, set BF4 to 64bit as well
Launch Origin and go to My Games
Right click on BF4 > select Game Properties
Set the game to x64 on launch
Uncheck the option ‘Disable origin in-game”
Apply the new settings > launch BF4 to check if this workaround solved the problem.
16. Clean boot your computer
This solution is particularly useful for low-spec and mid-spec computers. By performing a clean boot, your computer can use more resources to run the game. Also, if the BF issues that you’re experiencing are caused by software incompatibility problems, this solution should fix them.
Go to Start > type msconfig > hit Enter to launch System Configuration
Go to the General tab > select Selective startup > uncheck Load startup items
Go to the Services tab > check Hide all Microsoft services > click Disable all
Click Apply > click OK > Restart your computer and launch the game
We hope that our solutions were helpful, and we have also covered Battlefield 4 crashes, so you might want to read that for more information.
Unlike other file extensions that usually let you know what program opens them, .DAT files are different. These files can be literally anything, from a plain old text document to an image.
The problem is that since .DAT files can be anything, they can also contain viruses. This also makes .DAT the go-to format for most hackers and spammers.
Fortunately, even antivirusprograms can open .DAT files. Thus, it is better to be safe than sorry, and opening a .DAT file for the first time with a good antivirus is the right thing to do.
There are plenty of such programs out there, so choosing the right one can be a bit problematic. That is why we’ve compiled a list of the best antivirusprograms that you can open .DAT files with.
Top antivirus programs to open .DAT files with
Bitdefender Total Security 2020
Topping out our list is an entry that tops out most general lists when it comes to the best antivirus programs, Bitdefender Total Security 2020.
This is not just a simple antivirus that you install, it is an entire suite of protection services that keep your PC, mail, e-wallet and pretty much anything else protected from cyber threats.
Pros:
The UI is constantly updated to be more intuitive and easy to use
Solid protection against phishing attacks
Proactive scanning of social networking profiles
Privacy protection and online transaction security
Kaspersky Anti-Virus 8.0 for Windows Servers Enterprise Edition
Kaspersky is a great antivirus program that is more suited for those that love automated programs so they don’t bother going through the hassle of too many manual check-ups.
It runs silently in the background, actively removing threats as it encounters them, and most of the time you won’t even know how infected your PC would have been unless you look in the virus vault.
Pros:
Advanced digital threat protection 30-day money-back guarantee
Virtual keyboard feature protects against standard keyloggers
Another big game in the antivirus world, Norton AntiVirus Plus is perfectly capable of taking care of all of your data protection needs.
It is constantly updated so you always have the latest protection against all known threats, and you won’t get headaches using it thanks to the intuitive UI.
The strongest point of Webroot SecureAnywhere AntiVirus is the small amount of system resources that it needs to run efficiently. This program will run in the background almost unnoticed, yet it will still provide you with above-average protection.
Additionally, the interface is relatively simple to read, although those of you that are less tech-savvy may need to read a guide or two.
The final entry on our list isn’t necessarily the worst. ESET NOD32 Antivirus has been side by side the PC community, protecting it from online threats for what seems like ages.
It doesn’t use up a lot of resources, and the UI and configuration options make it an excellent choice for professionals and amateur users alike.
Pros:
Low system resource usage
Ultra configurable
You get great discounts with multi-device packages
Closing thoughts on programs to open .DAT files with
Any of the entries on our list are perfectly capable of opening .DAT files without any worries of infecting your PC with any surprise malware.
More so, some of them will automatically scan the file the moment you copy it into your PC, so you can pretty much skip the opening it part altogether.
All in all, if you want to be protected from online threats, or work in an environment that requires you to keep your data extra safe, you can’t go wrong with any of the programs listed above.
A screen suction cup is a tool you can use whenever you are repairing a device that has a screen. It basically acts as a regular suction cup, sticking to a device’s screen.
The suction power is enough to get a good grip on the screen but gentle enough to not damage it. More so, they are usually designed to be easy to use by anyone, not just specialized personnel.
There are plenty of such devices on the market for you to buy, so choosing one that is good can be a bit confusing. That is why we’ve compiled a list of the best ones that you can buy.
What are the best screen suction cups that I can buy?
KISEER Heavy Duty Suction Cups
If you’re looking to repair a device that has a screen, and you want to be gentle yet efficient, then you’ll need a good screen suction cup like the KISEER Heavy Duty Suction Cups.
These suction cups come in packages of two, and they are made from durable material and are extremely easy to use, even if it is your first time trying.
Pros:
The suction cup is made of industrial plastic and thick rubber, durable and not easy to bend
Suitable for all electronic screens, glass, metal, and other smooth surfaces
The ACENIX Suction Cup is a bit different in design compared to the other screen suction cups, but overall the functionality stays the same.
You still have to press the rubber cup against the screen, and then you need to pull on the handle to remove it. The design that makes it so special is good for all grip types.
Pros:
Can be used to dismantle iPhones and iPads easily
High-quality materials
Non-slip tough shaft ensures greater comfort and convenience
The Kaisiking Heavy Duty Suction Cups are called that way for good reason. Not only is it capable of generating a large amount of suction force, but it is made of durable materials, allowing them to last you a long time.
More so you get two of these screen suction cups in a package, so if one does break, you’ll have a back-up.
Pros:
Made of durable ABS and natural rubber material
Designed for electronic equipment, LCD screens, glass, and smooth surfaces
Strong suction power
Rubber suction cup with heavy-duty locking handles
Not all screens are suitable for suction cups, but there are alternatives out there. If you need to pry open a telephone screen without damaging it, you could use an ultra-thin prying tool.
COHK Metal Spudger
If you own a device that cannot be opened via suction cup, then you may need a tool like the COHK Metal Spudger. This acts as an ultra-slim crowbar that you can use to pry open devices without scratching them.
Additionally, it is also very flexible, allowing it to mold along with the shape of whatever you want to open.
Pros:
Ultra-thin steel pry tool for opening iPhones, iPads, Samsungs and many more
This tough tool nimbly opens modern small electronic casings
Professional Tools for replacing batteries, touchscreens, LCDs, covers, hard disks, etc.
Springy steel blade features a smart tip design and a handle with a great no-slip grip
Modern devices have a very sensitive screen that you can’t just open like you used to with older phones. Because of their construction, it is easy to bend or even break a screen altogether.
That is why using a more modern method of removing a screen is necessary, even if it does involve using something as simple as a suction cup.
In an average corporate/business setting, the major sources of power consumption are usually servers/data centers (if any) and computer systems (laptops and desktops). There is also the issue of negligence (of energy saving) on the part of employees, while using their computers.
The end result is heavy monthly power bills, which are not cost-effective. To address this issue, an employer needs to be “power-conscious” and to do this, he/she can easily adopt the services of a durable power management software.
Power management solutions offer different features, which are primarily designed to grant users more control over the energy use of their computers. Two prominent features, in this regard, are report analysis and automated controls.
In this post, we are going to be reviewing five of the most durable power management software for Windows PC.
Best power management software for Windows 10
1E Night Watchman
1E Night Watchman is a top power management software that has been in existence for about two decades now. The software is among the pioneers in the power management industry (for computers), and it is, without doubt, one of the most reliable. Recognized as one of the best in the industry, 1E Night Watchman offers a wide range of energy saving features for users.
The software provides detailed analyses and reports on your computers’ power usage and energy consumption. These analyses can be executed collectively or on individual basis. Either way, you are able to gain more control over your computers’ power options. Also, the reports generated by these analyses are derived from accurate algorithms, which monitor your PC usage.
In addition, 1E Night Watchman offers you a set of customizable power management options, which can be modified according to the functionality of your device(s). It also offers you a set of functions, which enables you to execute certain tasks on your computer system while in sleep (energy saving) mode.
To employ the services of 1E Night Watchman, you would be required to fill an online form, detailing certain information about your business. Shortly after filling the form, a quote would be sent to your email.
Once the set up is complete, you can go ahead and enjoy the innumerable benefits of the power management software.
Verdiem Surveyor is a power management software developed by Aptean, and it is specifically designed Windows PC. Verdiem Surveyor was developed more than 17 years ago, in 2001. Today, it can stand toe-to-toe with any power management software, with respect to service delivery and customer satisfaction.
This power management software is built with algorithms that enable you to accurately monitor and detect the power consumption of each computer system on your network.
The software is fairly easy to use. It relies on an integrated interface, which facilitates the effective power management of all connected systems from a central location. Verdiem Surveyor allows users to accurately evaluate their energy expenditure (in multiple currencies) to ascertain the cost (value) of energy saved. It also hosts certain features that can be configured to further enhance your devices’ power saving capability.
Furthermore, the software affords you the opportunity of automating certain functions like; “when the PC is put to sleep”, “when the system wakes” and a host of other power saving options. Schedules can also be created for multiple and customizable groups of systems. Also, with the software’s EvokeIT function, users can wake remotely linked system(s) and execute certain security functions.
Lastly, Verdiem Surveyor offers custom pricing, and you will be required to fill a form, in order to get a suitable pricing (quote) plan for your business.
PowerHawk was developed by Tangent, a leading provider of specialized computer-based solutions. The software is a server-based solution which enables the control of power and energy management options from a centralized device.
One major benefit of PowerHawk is that, you don’t need to install the software on individual computers; power settings are sent directly to every computer on the network, via the “Active directory .msi package”. Furthermore, it can be used on virtually all computer systems due to its relatively low system requirements. This makes it ideal for managing power consumption on old PC versions.
Additionally, PowerHawk allows you to create a schedule of power settings. This can be on hourly, daily or weekly basis. Also, the software allows for flexibility in power consumption, as different set of instructions can be modified to serve the needs of different groups of PCs on your power management network.
You can also override a set of default power commands on your computer or modify it, as you see fit.
Nevertheless, PowerHawk offers a free version, specially designed for personal use on a single computer. Also on offer is the premium version, albeit at an affordable price. To enlist the software’s services, simply fill the form on their website.
Powerpro Manager is one of the most prominent power management software in the market. As claimed by the software’s developers, Powerpro Manager saves up to $35 per computer, in energy cost, every year. The software is compatible with different versions of Windows, from Windows 10 down to Windows 2000.
In addition, Powerpro Manager is server-based utilizing a central server console to control the power settings of all computers connected to the network. With this, you are able to save time and optimize your power management process.
Also, configuration updates on power management are automatically deployed, even when your computer is in sleep mode or outrightly shut down. Statistical analysis on power consumption is carried out by the software, detailing the power usage of each computer on the server.
Furthermore, basic power options like “turn-off monitor”, “standby”, “shutdown”, “hibernate” and so on can be executed directly on the software, and it promptly sends out a confirmation message before shutting down the target computer.
Powerpro Manager is compatible with Wake-On-Lan, which can be adopted to wake any computer on your power management network.
Powerpro Manager offers a free version, which is equipped to support up to fifty computer systems. This makes the software ideal for small and medium scale businesses. The premium version, on the other hand, requires a paid subscription, and it comes with special support services.
PwrSmart Software is an effective energy saving software that helps users control the power settings of their computers. It minimizes power consumption by automatically powering down computers when not in use. This energy saving software hosts a user-friendly interface, which provides instant control upon installation.
In addition, PwrSmart hosts a set of power packages, which have been created for different scenarios. This makes the software fairly easy to use for new users, as you can easily draw out any package from the pool of available power management packages to serve your needs.
Furthermore, the software is compliant with relevant power management standards, thereby ensuring that you get the best of energy saving experience. Also, users are notified of upcoming power schedules like system hibernation or standby, and you can easily customize such notifications.
Lastly, PwrSmart is compatible with different versions of Windows, and it can be accessed from remote locations. It offers a custom-pricing plan, which is dependent on the number of computers on your network. However, you can use the software on a free trial for a brief period, before subscribing to a paid plan.
Digital photo frames are devices designed to store and display thousands of images, either as a slideshow or a specific one of your choice. Some picture frames are also able to play videos.
However, the latest advancement in the digital picture frame industry is the addition of Wi-Fi connectivity. The use of Wi-Fi makes it possible to share and receive pictures from loved ones via their digital photo frame equipped with Wi-Fi.
This improvement eliminates the distance barrier and makes it possible for family members to share precious moments with you, and vice versa.
Knowing that there are thousands of photo frames with Wi-Fi, each one with their own perk and disadvantage over the other, we have scoured Amazon and picked our top five digital picture frames with Wi-Fi.
What are the best digital photo frames with Wi-Fi that I can buy?
This is a 10.1-inch device and it comes with a 1280×800 touchscreen display and 170-degree viewing angle. It’s equipped with 16GB storage, but it also supports SD cards up to 32GB and USB drives.
It supports automatic rotation so you don’t have to configure anything. Regarding the file transfer, it supports Wi-Fi and it can work with up to 30 senders.
Additional features include video playback, music, slideshows, a weather app, an alarm, a calendar, and a motion sensor. Overall, it’s a great device and perfect for sharing memories.
This digital frame comes with a 10-inch touchscreen, and it uses 1280×800 resolution. It uses cloud storage, and to use it, you need a Skylight email address.
The device doesn’t require any apps, it’s easy to set up and will take you just a few minutes to do so. In case you’re not a fan of email, there’s a dedicated app available as well.
Navigating is easy with the touchscreen display, and you can swipe through photos, browse the gallery, zoom, or delete the photos with ease.
This digital frame has a 10.1-inch display, 1280×800 resolution, and a touchscreen display. For file upload, it uses a dedicated app for file upload, and no account is recreated.
If you prefer more traditional transfer methods, USB and microSD slots are available as well. The device supports automatic rotation, so all your pictures will rotate depending on the orientation of the frame.
All communication with the digital frame is encrypted, and the company doesn’t have access to your photos, so you can rest assured that they are completely private.
This digital frame supports popular image format and MP4 files, but keep in mind that videos are limited to 15 seconds max. As for the specs, this is a 10.1-inch device with a 1280×800 resolution.
You can upload files via the dedicated app, and there’s 16GB of storage available, but it can be expanded with a microSD card up to 32GB.
The device is highly customizable and you can rotate it, hang it on a wall, adjust the play order, zoom level, hide images, add captions, and more with ease.
Just like other entries on this list, this is a 10.1-inch 1280×800 device with a touchscreen. It comes with a user-friendly interface and it’s easy to set up.
The device has 16GB storage and it can support cards up to 32GB for expansion. Uploading images is possible via the dedicated phone app.
Automatic rotation is available, meaning that all your images will rotate automatically. If needed, you can also hang this digital frame on the wall.
Digital picture frames are a great investment for large families with thousands of photos. You get a chance to display and relive these moments without the stress of searching for old photo albums.
These picture frames with Wi-Fi are a huge step up, as you can easily share pictures with your loved ones from any part of the world. It doesn’t matter if you’re looking for a simple picture frame or you’re looking for one with the latest cutting-edge technology, we’ve picked out the best five we’re certain will cover all your needs.
While Amazon has a ton of awesome digital picture frames with Wi-Fi, we have chosen the top five that stood out to us based on available storage, technological advancement, and aesthetics.
Business Office 365 subscribers have a new reason to be happy about. Microsoft has just pushed out a set of Outlook native apps especially designed for the iPhone and iPad.
Outlook is a program that basically allows users to access their email addresses adding a bunch of other neat functionalities like calendar or contacts. Of course, the native version also brings some “additional capabilities that are only possible through native integration of the app with mobile devices.” This means gesture support and voice control are also added to the menu.
Try the Outlook native app for iPhone, iPad
More than that, your inbox can now be accessed offline without requesting an Internet connection. The whole list of features includes:
Organize your email quickly with Conversation View, Mark as Junk, Flag, and Categories
Quickly search or browse email in all folders including Outlook Favorites
Manage your schedule with ease
Schedule meetings using attendee free/busy and room finder
View shared calendars including delegate support
Use your voice to look up a contact or bring up your schedule
Keep business data secure
Remote wipe erases only your corporate data in OWA for iPad and leaves your personal data on the device alone
Separate passcode for OWA for iPad provides an additional layer of security
The native app brings pretty much the same functionalities as its browser correspondent the Outlook Web App and we’re happy to report it’s not just another patched up app.
By releasing the Outlook up only to active Office 365 subscribers, Microsoft is trying to bring more iOS users in. Last month it did the same when it released the Office Mobile suite for iPhone only to this specific target group. However, the apps are free to download from the App Store. But not everybody feels that Microsoft is playing a fair game. A month ago, Forrester analyst Frank Gillett commented:
Anyone [with Office 2013] should be able to access the app. They’re continuing the artificial advantaging of one product over another to change customer behavior. We think that’s a major mistake.
The same can be said of the Outlook app, but it remains to be seen if the strategy finally pays out.
For those of you that don’t know, a stick PC is a single-board computer that’s pretty much the size of a USB stick that can be plugged in directly into an HDMI port, without the need of an HDMI cable.
These stick PC‘s are quite impressive given their size, but they in no way can replicate the power of an actual PC or even a laptop of a fanless mini-computer.
In fact, their use is pretty simplistic and usually for a precise purpose, such as streaming media more efficiently.
Note: Deals are subject to change. Keep in mind that the price tag often varies. We recommend going on the vendor’s website to check the price. Some of the products may be out of stock by the time you’ve made your purchasing decision. So, hurry up and hit the buy button.
What are the best stick PCs that I can buy right now?
ASUS Chromebit CS10
If you want a device that fits in your hands and that will easily turn any HDMI device into a Chrome OS computer, then the V is the right choice for you.
It is a great stick PC for streaming online content such as Netflix, and can even support 4K content. More so, it features USB ports that lets you extend the storage even more via USB sticks.
Pros:
Smallest Chrome OS device
Turn any HDMI display into a computer and 100 GB Google Drive space
Dual-band a/b/g/n/ac 802.11 Wi-Fi
Bluetooth 4.0
16 GB Flash memory storage
Included HDMI extender cable and 4 hook and loop stickers
The Intel Compute Stick is a very good device that you should consider if you want to enjoy a new level of home entertainment since it lets you transform any HDMI display into a full computer.
It comes with Windows 10 pre-installed and all you need to do to make it work is simply plug it in into an HDMI port-compatible display, or you can even use an HDMI adapter.
Pros:
Quad-Core Intel Atom x5 Z8300 Processor
Windows 10 (32 bit)
Intel HD graphics
2 GB DDR3L 1600 MHz soldered down single-channel memory
Integrated Wireless 802.11ac (Intel Dual Band Wireless AC 7265)
In essence, a stick PC is a device that will turn any HDMI-compatible display into a PC, and that’s precisely what you’ll get if you buy the Azulle Access Plus.
It sports good enough stats to warrant its place on our list, and it comes at an affordable price. It features quite a large storage space that can also be expanded upon, making it great for carrying content around as well.
Pros:
4GB of DDR3L RAM,
32 GB of onboard storage
Micro SDXC card Slot providing up to 128GB of storage
Built with a quad-core processor
4GB of DDR3L RAM
Can stream HD 1080P content thanks to its Intel HD Graphics card (Gen 8)
Offers both Wifi connectivity and an Ethernet port
When they designed the ASUS VivoStick TS10-B017D, they probably looked at what stick PCs usually have problems with, and they focused on fixing just that.
The only entry on our list to have a built-in fan, the ASUS VivoStick TS10-B017D is great for usage over long periods of time, so binging and streaming media will not be a problem at all.
Pros:
Measures only 5.3 x 1.4 x 0.6 inches
Quad-core Intel Atom x5-Z8350 processor
Bluetooth 4.1 and 802.11ac Wi-Fi
VivoStick features an internal cooling fan to prevent overheating
1x USB 2.0
1x USB 3.0 ports
ASUS VivoRemote app for intuitive control from mobile devices
The W5 Pro occupies a spot on our list thanks to it being the most basic and budget-friendly stick PC given the specs that it brings.
While the capabilities that it sports are average, the fact that you can turn a TV or monitor into a mini-computer for such a low price is quite impressive.
Pros:
Windows 10 Pro Version Preinstalled
4GB DDR,64GB eMMC,Support Micro SD card up to 128GB
Stick computers are by design meant to be used for singular purposes, and streaming content off of the Internet is probably the most resource-intensive task of them all.
As such, if streaming is your primary concern, but you lack the funds to replace your regular TV with a Smart TV, then a stick PC can be the next best thing for you.
Gaming had been a major chokepoint for the Linux platform over the last couple of years. Following its launch in the early ‘90s, the open-source operating system had difficulty competing in the gaming arena for decades. Thanks to the significant upgrades in recent years, gaming on Linux has now improved.
Steam and Feral Interactive are among the premier digital distribution platforms that have made great strides in terms of improving a player’s Linux gaming experience. For its part, Steam built a range of gaming consoles under the Steam Machines family. At its core, Steam Machines are computers that double as a gaming console. In addition to Steam Machines, there are other Linux gaming console products already available in the market today. Without further ado, let’s check out some of these consoles.
Alienware Steam Machine (recommended)
If you’re looking for an immersive gaming experience complete with a vast selection of games in full 1080p HD on your TV, then the Alienware Steam Machine is a nice find. The console packs the high-performance NVIDIA GeForce GTX GPU 2GB GDDR5 graphics and Intel Core processors. Players can also have a holistic command of games using the Steam Controller that ships with the console.
Released in November 2015 by Alienware, the console also lets players stream Steam games to their TV from their home network. Players can gain quick access to a massive library of Steam games, entertainment, and a community of gamers worldwide even without a membership fee.
Zotac NEN (suggested)
NEN is a sleek Steam Machine with a discreet form factor. Released in November 2015 by Zotac, the gaming console is powered by the sixth-generation Intel Core i5-6400T quad-core Skylake processor and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 graphics hardware. Like other gaming consoles, NEN comes with a controller to run a vast array of games, including first person shooters and real time strategy games. The gaming console also packs dual trackpads, HD haptic feedback, dual-stage triggers, and back grip buttons.
Maingear DRIFT combines the latest hardware from Intel, Nvidia, and AMD to provide ultra HD gaming in the living room. The customizable gaming console boasts of its uni-body aluminum chassis that houses the same power as a full desktop PC.
Game storage often requires massive memory capacity. But with Maingear DRIFT, storage doesn’t have to be one of your worries. The console offers several storage options, including two SSDs and a large HDD. If those options are not enough, you can upgrade the console for a richer games library.
Maingear, the console’s manufacturer, designed the gaming device with a small form factor and a closed loop liquid cooling that requires no maintenance. The console also packs an impressive airflow. Users will also be able to personalize the console’s color with Maingear’s automotive paint finish. Powered by Valve’s Steam OS, DRIFT provides excellent performance to players with a smooth interface. DRIFT is available to purchase from Maingear for $1,099.
Editor’s Note: If you’re interested in other gaming laptops, headsets and controllers, check out our wide collection of guides.
Materiel.net Steam Machine
Materiel.net Steam Machine packs a modern architecture that offers an impressive HD visual experience to players. Powered by Steam OS, the Steam Machine allows players to launch Steam games on TV. The console also provides users the ability to share content including music and videos.
The Steam machine features the Intel Core I5 and NVIDIA GTX 960. Its scalability also means you can upgrade the graphics card, RAM, processor, and storage to enjoy the latest games. The console is available to order from Materiel.net’s website.
Scan 3XS ST
3XS Systems worked closely with Valve and NVIDIA to develop the ST-series of gaming consoles, a small form factor gaming PC built to consume little space in the living room. Compared to traditional gaming consoles, Scan 3XS ST is more quiet and only a quarter of a PC’s size, with a dimension of 382 x 105 x 350 mm.
Users can also customize the ST-series system using different GPUs, CPUs, RAM, and storage devices available for the console. You can snag the gaming console from Scan.
While Windows remains the de-facto platform for gaming, Linux now wants to catch up with those gaming consoles. If there are any other Linux gaming console hardware not mentioned above, let us know about them in the comments below.
Netgear is a famous network hardware manufacturer, and its products are one of the best on the market. This is especially true for its Nighthawk series of routers.
Nighthawk series offers amazing features and quality, so we decided to bring you to the best Nighthawk routers that you can buy.
Note: Deals are subject to change. Keep in mind that the price tag often varies. We recommend going on the vendor’s website to check the price. Some of the products may be out of stock by the time you’ve made your purchasing decision. So, hurry up and hit the buy button.
Top Nighthawk router deals to get
NETGEAR Nighthawk X10
Netgear Nighthawk X10 is a tri-band device and it provides speeds up to 800/1733/4600 Mbps depending on the band you’re using. The device offers a range of 2500 feet, which should be more than enough for your needs.
Additional features include 6 Gigabit Ethernet ports, 4 amplified antennas, Beamforming+, MU-MIMO, Dynamic QoS and two USB 3.0 ports.
Another amazing high-end router that you should check out is Nighthawk Pro Gaming XR500. This is a dual-band device and it supports speeds up to 2.6Gbps.
The device has two USB 3.0 ports and four Ethernet ports. The router has support for QoS ensuring that you have a lag-free gaming experience on your device. The device has four external antennas as well as support for MU-MIMO.
NETGEAR Nighthawk Pro Gaming XR500 offers 1800 feet range and dual-band support. The device offers speed up to 600Mbps and 1300Mbps, and it can provide a wireless connection for up to 30 devices.
Four 1Gbps Ethernetports are also available, so you can connect wired devices as well. There are 3 amplified antennas, as well as single USB 3.0 and a single USB2.0 port. Regarding the security, there’s WPA, Guest Wi-Fi, DOS, Firewall, and VPN.
This is a tri-band device and it delivers speeds up to 600/2166/2166Mbps. There are six Gigabit Ethernetports, so you can connect wired network devices as well.
In order to provide you with a lag-free gaming experience, there’s a Dynamic QoS feature. The device is easy to set up thanks to the dedicated app, and you can use the application to manage your Internet connection with ease.
This is one of the more affordable members of the Nighthawk router family. The device has a range of up to 1500 feet and dual-band support. Regarding the speed, this router will deliver up to 450 and 1300Mbps.
Additional features include 4 Gigabit Ethernetports, a single USB 3.0 port, Beamforming+, Dynamic QoS and Smart Connect.
Nighthawk routers are one of the best on the market, and they will be a perfect addition to your home network, so be sure to get one of these models as soon as you can.
This specific deal is part of our bigger selection of the best router deals you can find. You might also want to check out our dedicated Black Friday hub for tech deals.
Keeping track of your fitness achievements is very important for motivation as being able to keep up with them translates to continued progress.
If you own a smartphone and you want to use it to track your fitness progress, then you’ll need an armband. Check out some of the best ones below!
Fitness armbands for smartphones
Shocksock Armband
This phone armband from Shocksock fully protects your phone and also looks good. Insert your phone, tuck in the protective flap, secure it with the adjustable velcro strap and you’re ready to go.
Designed specifically for the Lumia 640, this armband features a touchscreen sensitive film as well as a headphone jack opening.
Thanks to its dual slot design, you can easily adjust the band size to perfectly fit your arm. You can even fit the armband over clothing or wear it on your forearm.
The best part of this armband is that its material can be easily hand washed and doesn’t retain moisture or bacteria.
This fitness armband is made of durable, super strong material and is equipped with a reinforced high-grade plastic interior to prevent moisture build up on your phone. It comes with two-piece adjustable velcro straps that can extend from 16.5 in to 22 inches to fit small and large arms.
VanGoddy recommends this armand for the following phone models: the Nokia Lumia 1020, Nokia Lumia 625, Nokia Lumia 928, Nokia Lumia 925, Nokia Asha 210, Nokia Lumia 720, Nokia Lumia 520, Nokia Lumia 525, Nokia Lumia Icon, Nokia X+, Nokia X, Nokia Lumia 930, Nokia Lumia 635, Nokia Lumia 630, Nokia 225, Nokia X2.
The MoKo armband is perfect for phones up to 6 inches large and also offers some extra space for you to put your credit card, ID, cash, etc.
Its slim transparent cover supports full touch screen functionality, even underwater. This means that your phone is safe no matter what sport you’re practicing. Moreover, this case offers water and dirt protection as well.
You can also use the MoKO armband to hang your phone around your neck thanks to the detachable lanyard if you’d like.
MyValor’s workout armband allows you to take your Lumia phonewith you when you’re working out, jogging, doing outdoor activities or anytime you’re on the go.
Itsadjustable velcro restraint strap is designed to comfortably accommodate most arm sizes. As far as the compatible phones are concerned, the armband is designed to fit extra-large phone models up to 6.30 x 3.4 x 0.65 inch.
Its manufacturer recommends it for the following Lumia models: Lumia 950 XL, Lumia 640 XL, Lumia 1320 and Lumia 1520.
Having a mini drone can have its advantages. For one thing, the small size makes it incredibly lightweight and portable, allowing it to stay for longer hours into the air.
Additionally, the lack of bulky electronics means that they are also cheaper than regular drones, and can even make good toys for children. If you too are looking to buy a mini drone, then you better know which are the best on the market.
That is why we’ve decided to compile a list of what we think are the best mini drones that you can buy, by taking specs, performance and cost into account.
Note: Deals are subject to change. Keep in mind that the price tag often varies. We recommend going on the vendor’s website to check the price. Some of the products may be out of stock by the time you’ve made your purchasing decision. So, hurry up and hit the buy button.
What are the best mini drone deals to grab today?
Holy Stone HS170 Predator
There’s a reason why the Holy Stone HS170 Predator is probably the most popular drone on Amazon. Not only does it sport an attractive design that will surely make kids want it, but it is extremely beginner-friendly as well.
More so, it is easy to control in the air thanks to the gyro-stabilizing system, and the affordable price makes it great to have in almost any household.
Pros:
Headless security system
2. 4GHz technology adopted for anti-interference
More stable and flexible with 6-axis gyro stabilization system
Wind-resistant control range of about 30-50 meters
If you’re looking for a mini drone that will make your children happy, then the Vandoras Mini Drone is the right choice for you. Not only does it have a compact and playful design, but the easy controls and stabilizing system makes it ideal for children and beginners alike.
More so, it is incredibly agile and can perform a wide range of acrobatics in the air, just as long as you don’t ram it into the first chandelier.
Pros:
You can release the throttle stick and the drone will keep the current height
Super simple control
Super easy fly for beginners and hobby users.
One key 3D rolling special effects
Flip in 4-Ways Flip
Continuous roll steady performance
Headless Mode can help to control it easier and prevent it from losing the direction.
Equipped with the latest 6-axis Gyro flight control systems
The Potensic Upgraded A20 is a mini drone that takes the “mini” part of its description quite literally, being the smallest entry on our list, even when fully unfolded.
This tiny flying machine has quite a bit of power in it and can be easily controlled even inside the house since you don’t have to worry about damaging anything if it hits it at full speed.
Pros:
2 detachable batteries and 3 adjustable speed levels
You could control the drone fly toward any directions by Remote Controller
Has Altitude Hold, Headless Mode and One Key Taking-off / Landing
It’s the width of an iPhone 5
Extremely lightweight and easy to carry
Cons:
Cheaply made, but at least you won’t cry if it breaks
Yet another mini drone that will surely catch the eye of your children, the Force1 UFO 3000 is an incredibly flashy and nimble flying machine.
The LED propeller guards make it very nice to look at, and the miniature size make it an excellent kid’s toy, so that if he flyes it around the house, at least it won’t do too much damage.
Pros:
Super easy to fly with 1-Key Start/Stop and easy joystick directional controls
Features durable propeller guards ringed with glowing blue and green LEDs
Outdoor/indoor drone features 4 channels, 2 speeds, Altitude Hold and Headless Mode
Can also perform 360° mini flips
Measures 5.5-inch x 5.5-inch and flies up to 18 minutes with 2 included rechargeable batteries
The SNAPTAIN H823H is a mini drone designed specifically for kids and boasts a design that makes it look like a flying dune buggy more than anything else.
More so, it is extremely easy to control, so even if your kid is the one piloting it, you don’t have to worry about him breaking it, or at least not too easily.
Pros:
Will hover at a certain height when you release the throttle stick.
The robust and fantastic 360°flips and rolls
6-Axis Gyro flying control system.
Has Headless Mode
One Key Return
3-speed control to meet the needs for beginners, intermediate and experts.
While mini drones aren’t necessarily designed for children, their small size and low cost make them ideal as an expendable child’s toy, or as a means to learn how to fly a real drone.
As such, whether you want to gift your kid a flying saucer, or are trying to make a friend pick up drone flying, there’s no way you could go wrong with a mini drone.
If you’re a fan of Logitech gear and love listening to music on your headphones, then you probably know about Jaybird and all of the cool gear that they manufacture especially the wireless Bluetooth sports headsets.
If you too want to buy a pair of Jaybird headphones but aren’t exactly sure which model fits you best, then check out our list of the best Jaybird headphone sets that you can currently buy.
Note: Deals are subject to change. Keep in mind that the price tag often varies. We recommend going on the vendor’s website to check the price. Some of the products may be out of stock by the time you’ve made your purchasing decision. So, hurry up and hit the buy button.
What are the best Jaybird headphone deals available?
Jaybird RUN
It doesn’t matter how active your life is or how intense the sports you play are, the Jaybird RUN is a pair of headphones that will easily be able to keep up the pace.
This is thanks to the great comfortable design, sweat, and water-resistant build and long battery life that will keep them going long after you’re already tired.
Pros:
Secure comfort-fit, no matter the shape of your ea
Sweat-proof and water-resistant and sensitivity
Can adjust the lows, mids, and highs
The Jaybird app can locate your buds if they go missing
The Jaybird RUN XT is the second generation of the all-terrain Jaybird True wireless earbuds. They combine an ultra-comfortable active fit design and premium sound in a fully waterproof and sweat-proof IPX7 casing.
The headphones’ battery provides 4 hours of playtime per charge and holds an additional 8 hours of power in the included charging case for longer and more intense workouts.
Pros:
Secure comfort-fit, no matter the shape of your ea
Sweat-proof and water-resistant and sensitivity
Can adjust the lows, mids, and highs
The Jaybird app can locate your buds if they go missing
12-hour battery life
Single control button
Premium sound with custom EQ – a unique, personalized music experience
The Jaybird X4 is your everyday sports headphones made to withstand weather conditions that would put other models to shame, while still being comfortable thanks to the soft foam tips.
It has a long-lasting battery life that can be recharged fairly quickly, and it can deliver high-quality sound despite the small size, making it great for extended jogging sessions.
Pros:
8 hours of playtime a single charge
Charging time: 2 Hrs
Sweatproof
Fully waterproof (Ipx7) protection
Sport fit plus comfortable, versatile design
Comply Ultra foam tips
Premium sound with custom EQ uncompromising sound quality
Staying true to the Jaybird brand name, the Jaybird Tarah is a pair of wireless headphones that provide you with everything you need to listen to music while going through intense workouts.
The sweatproof and water-proof design along with the 6-hour playtime allow the headphones to keep up with you even over extended periods of intense fitness activities.
Pros:
6-hour playtime
Sweatproof and waterproof (IPX7) protection
Includes ultra-soft and flexible silicone ear gels
Premium sound quality with custom EQ
Can manage music and calls without interruption
10 minutes of charging provides a full hour of playtime
Staying healthy is good, but it isn’t always that pleasant, so it goes without saying that we may occasionally see the need to spice things up a bit.
For example, working out with music playing in the background can do wonders, but finding headphones that will keep up with the strain, sweat and water is pretty hard.
As such, if you’re the active type and are looking for a good set of headphones, then the Jaybird product line is a good place to start
Roland is a well-known manufacturer of electronic musical instruments. This brand has been with us form some years now and has released a wide variety of musical instruments that have had an impact on the music industry as a whole.
Among the musical instruments that they make, they also deal with the creation of digital pianos, which are top quality in themselves. If you too are looking to get a Roland digital piano, then you should check out our list of the best Roland digitals pianos available.
Note: Deals are subject to change. Keep in mind that the price tag often varies. We recommend going on the vendor’s website to check the price. Some of the products may be out of stock by the time you’ve made your purchasing decision. So, hurry up and hit the buy button.
What are the best Roland digital pianos that I can buy?
Roland A-800PRO-R
If you’re looking for keyboard controllers that you can use in the studio, on-stage, or anywhere you feel inspired, then the A-800PRO is the last digital piano that you will ever need.
It manages to perfectly blend Roland craftsmanship with Cakewalk’s legendary ease-of-use, the A-800PRO has the features and feel you need to get the most out of your music performances and productions.
Pros:
Velocity-sensitive 61 keys with channel aftertouch
45 assignable controls
USB Bus Powered
8 Dynamic Pads for finger drumming and MIDI triggering
Works with any DAW on Mac or PC
Durable Roland-quality manufacturing and craftsmanship
If you love the sound of an authentic piano but wish you could actually carry it everywhere with you without the need of a truck, then the Roland FP-90-BK is just the model that you need.
If features authentic acoustic piano sounds, and the keys made from wood and molded materials feel even more authentic, making any living room music session feel like a grand opera recital.
Pros:
An authentic grand piano touch from the PHA-50 keyboard
Uses the latest Supernatural Piano Modeling technology
Four speakers provide powerful and rich sound
A premium selection of electric piano, strings, organ, and synth sounds
30 registrations for storing favorite sound setups, including layers and splits for live performance
Can connect your smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth wireless technology and play along with audio from your apps
If you’re looking for a synthesizer that can double as pretty much any musical instrument, then the Roland JUNO-DS88 is the model that you need.
It is great for emulating the look and feel of an actual acoustic piano, but the abundance of electronic features also make it a great music console that you can carry on your lap.
Pros:
Gig-ready instrument with pro sounds, enhanced performance features, and battery-powered operation
88-note Ivory Feel-G Keyboard
Includes all the sounds from the popular JUNO-Di
Includes newly updated acoustic and electric pianos, additional organs, and other stage essentials
Wave expansion slot
Sample import function for playing user WAV files on the JUNO-DS88’s keyboard
The Roland FP-60-BK is the go-to digital piano when you are just starting to learn how to play, thanks to the abundance of features that are there to help those that are less musically-inclined.
The Roland FP-60-BK is designed to emit a sound quality that sounds as authentic as possible, and the keyboard is meant to emulate the feel of that of a real grand piano.
Pros:
Supernatural piano sound engine with 288-voice polyphony
Phat-4 keyboard with escapement and ivory feel keys
Connect your smartphone or tablet wirelessly via Bluetooth and play along with favorite songs
The advanced on-board speaker system
Also includes electric pianos, strings, organs, and synth sounds from Roland flagship instruments
Cons:
Too simplistic for intermediate and advanced users
If you’re looking to add a little spice to your life with a musical instrument, but don’t have much of a budget, and you also live in a small apartment, then the Roland F-140R-CB is the model for you.
Not only is it small and stylish, but it is also designed not to disturb anyone if the living quarters are small. One such feature is the headphone support, allowing you to be the only one to hear what you are playing at any given time.
Pros:
A stylish, affordable instrument for smaller living spaces
PHA-4 Standard Keyboard features high-resolution sensing
Sophisticated onboard rhythm feature with intelligent accompaniment
72 different rhythm styles, including 6 pianist styles
305 additional tones that include electric pianos, strings, organs, guitars, brass, synthesizers, and many others
Headphones 3D Ambience effect
Connect your smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth technology to turn sheet music pages wirelessly
Roland is a great brand when it comes to electronic music devices, and the same can be said about their line of digital pianos, keyboards, and synths.
While they may not shine like other dedicated brands, they are still great for beginners or those that are on a tighter budget but still want to enjoy the wonders of playing a grand piano.
VR headsets are used more and more in multimedia entertainment, be it for games or watching movies, as they are great for rendering 3D or 360 videos where immersiveness is taken to a whole new level.
While pretty much all VR headsets can be used to watch movies, some are better than others. That is why we compiled a list of what we think are the best VR headsets that can be used as home movie theaters.
Note: Deals are subject to change. Keep in mind that the price tag often varies. We recommend going on the vendor’s website to check the price. Some of the products may be out of stock by the time you’ve made your purchasing decision. So, hurry up and hit the buy button.
What are the best VR sets for home movie theatres?
If you want to try VR movies in a way that will envelop and draw you in completely, then the Oculus Rift S is the right headset for you, thanks to the improved optics, and ergonomic design that will make you forget you are wearing it.
More so, if you want to switch from watching movies to gaming, then you should know that the Oculus Rift S is one of the best and most immersive VR headsets that money can buy today.
One of the highlights of the Oculus Quest is how truly independent of other devices it is, offering you levels of freedom that you never thought were possible with a VR device.
Everything you need is incorporated right into the helmet, so you don’t need a connection to an external PC or console, and it also comes with the controllers included, so there’s no need to order anything else.
If you want to experience watching movies in VR, but your budget is quite tight, then you should consider buying a Samsung Gear VR, which is a VR headset that requires a phone as a source for the media.
All you need to do is insert your Samsung phone into the slot, and open VR compatible movies from sites such as YouTube, and you will be able to enjoy them in a way that could not be possible if just watching from in front of a screen.
If you’re looking to experience watching movies in a whole new manner, then the Oculus Go Standalone is the right VR headset for you. This is thanks to the Fast-Switch WQHD LCD screen and the 2560×1440 resolution that lets you get immersed in the movie that you are watching.
More so, the 3D audio allows sounds for your favorite blockbusters to surround you in a way that makes you feel as if you are actually there in the middle of the action.
If you’re looking to simply watch movies in a VR setting, there’s no way you could go wrong with the Valve Index. However, this VR headset is extremely powerful, and using it just for movies would be absurd, as it is made to render incredible expansive and large 3D VR ecosystems, such as games.
Nonetheless, if you do have it for games, know that you can use it to watch movies without any issues. But if just want to watch movies, you’d be better off going for some of the other entries on our list.
The VR environment is evolving more and more, and movies that are designed for them are becoming more realistic and more immersive.
This means that if you too are planning on purchasing a headset to view movies in a 3D way like never before, then you should buy a VR headset that suits your needs.
Remember that watching movies isn’t a resource-intensive task, so if you are planning on buying a headset just for that, don’t bother breaking the budget on something too high-end.
Having an LED-backlit LCD offers you great advantages, which include reduced energy consumption, better contrast and brightness, greater color range, more rapid responses to changes in sceneries, and photorefractive effects.
Given the perks that come with having one, it’s no wonder more and more people are looking towards the LED-backlit LCD as a prime criterion when looking for computer monitors.
Because of that, we’ve compiled a list of the most popular LED-backlit LCD monitors that you can currently buy.
Note: Deals are subject to change. Keep in mind that the price tag often varies. We recommend going to the vendor’s website to check the price. Some of the products may be out of stock by the time you’ve made your purchasing decision. So, hurry up and hit the buy button.
Which are the best LED-backlit LCD monitors available?
The Acer V246HQL is a typical everyday monitor that you can use for general purposes, such as work, or watching the occasional movie or TV show.
It boasts a 23.6-inch Widescreen LED LCD Monitor with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 and a 16:9 aspect ratio. The Led Backlight also provides the monitor with good image quality and lighting, while maintaining good color balance.
Pros:
Full HD (1920 x 1080)
Stand: TILT, Detachable Foot Stand,
Extremely affordable
Cons:
Some users consider the materials to be of inferior quality
The VS248H-P is an extremely simplistic Full HD LED monitor. It comes with an HDMI interface, and it is optimized for good image and color quality.
The monitor also features a slim design, making it great for multi-monitor setups while having limited desk space, and the borders are pretty slim as well.
Pros:
Slim design
24-inch display
response time of 2ms (GTG) which eliminates ghosting
If your main concern is a budget monitor that gives pretty much what you pay for, then the ASUS VS228H-P is the right choice for you, as it balances out an affordable price tag with more than decent specs.
These include full 1080p support and Splendid Video Intelligence technology which enhances color, brightness, contrast, and sharpness to provide optimal viewing of photos and videos.
Pros:
Slim Design
Full HD Wide Screen LED display
Quick 5 ms response time
Smart View technology
Splendid Video Intelligence technology
Cons:
Screen pixels are prone to randomly dying after extended use
The Dell E2318HR features a flat-panel display that has an active matrix, thin-film transistor, liquid crystal display, and LED backlight, giving it all the benefits of your typical LED-backlit LCD monitor.
While image quality may not stand out at all compared to other entries on our list, it is more than enough given the extremely small price tag that comes along with it.
Pros:
Comes with a stand riser, stand base, VESA screw cover, power cable, HDMI cable, and drivers
User preferences have always dictated the way the market evolves, and the need for durability is what made LED-backlit LCD monitors come into existence.
Thus, if you’re looking for a monitor that isn’t necessarily extraordinary in terms of specs, but which is a great long-term investment in terms of consumption and lifespan, then an LED-backlit LCD monitor is the right choice for you.
This specific deal is part of our bigger selection of the monitor deals you can find. You might also want to check out our dedicated Black Friday hub for tech deals.
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