Nearly six months after first announcing its “new experience,” Plex is rolling out the promised top-to-bottom revamp of its mobile app to all users, and yes, big changes are in store.  I’ve already covered most of the big cosmetic changes, including the replacement of the “hamburger” navigation in the top corner of the app with a row of five tabs at the bottom of the screen, including dedicated tabs for Libraries and Live TV.  The title details screens for movies and TV shows have also been spruced up, including the use of title graphics from the content providers “where available.” I’ve been cruising through the shows and movies in my own personal Plex library, and I’ve noticed that all but the most obscure items now boast title graphics. That’s a nice change from the text titles in the old Plex app.  But while Plex’s “new experience” for Android and iOS users (Apple TV and other platforms are coming later) certainly looks more polished and offers dozens of improvements, there are also some rough edges that will bother longtime Plex users, along with a few features that have been unceremoniously dropped.  Plex’s “new experience” revamp is serving as a backdrop to another big change, with Plex about to move remote personal media streaming behind its Plex Pass paywall. That new policy is set to take effect on April 29, the same date when a steep Plex Pass price hike takes effect. It’s worth noting that the so-called “new” Plex experience is now the only Plex experience, at least for mobile. A Plex rep has confirmed to me that once you update the Plex mobile app to the new version, there’s no going back. Here are just a few things you should know before updating the Plex app to the “new experience,” starting with…  AirPlay casting is restricted to screen mirroring for now  If you’re an iOS user who’s accustomed to casting your Plex shows to an Apple TV or another AirPlay-compatible device, bad news: for now, the updated Plex mobile app offers system-level screen mirroring, not native AirPlay casting.  That means if you want to cast Plex videos to another device without simply sharing your screen, you’ll have to do so via Chromecast.  Plex says it will “continue bringing in more casting functionality” over the “coming months.”  You can’t cast live TV yet Even if you are casting on Plex using Chromecast, you won’t be able to cast live TV from your Plex Media Server using the “new experience” mobile app.  Luckily, this sounds like just a temporary restriction, with Plex noting that it’s “actively working on casting improvements, including resolving this issue.”  You can’t schedule DVR recordings yet If you’re using Plex as a DVR, you can still watch recorded shows and record in-progress shows from the updated Plex mobile app, but you can’t schedule future DVR recordings—not yet, anyway. (You can, of course, still schedule DVR recordings using the Plex web client.) Again, Plex says it’s working on it: “Scheduling is intended to be part of the mobile experience and we are working as you read this on making sure this will be available soon.”  “Watch Together” functionality is gone  Plex had previously announced that its “Watch Together” feature, which allows Plex users to join watch parties with friends, would be going away with the “new experience” update, but it’s worth repeating here.  If you really want to stream Plex videos with friends, you can still do so using the Plex web app, and Plex has also said that it doesn’t “preclude the possibility of offering similar functionality again in the future, using new tooling.”  You can’t share individual Plex items anymore  With the arrival of its new mobile experience, Plex is dropping the ability for personal server users to share individual titles and video playlists with others.  Plex Media Server users will still be able to share entire libraries with friends and family (don’t forget, remote streaming of your personal Plex library is about to become a paid feature), and any individual items you’ve previously shared will remain so, Plex said. However, you won’t be able to share any new individual files or playlists.  You can’t pin libraries to the sidebar, but there’s a workaround With the new Plex experience for mobile doing away with the left-hand sidebar on the old app comes an obvious side effect: You can no longer pin specific libraries to the now-missing sidebar.  That said, the revamped Plex app offers a handy workaround: Just long-press the Libraries tab at the bottom of the screen. When you do, you’ll get a pop-up that displays your favorite media libraries. Tap one of them, and you’re good to go. Read...

Every Windows user has encountered the legendary “Blue Screen of Death” (or BSOD for short) at least once. More than anything else, the infamous error screen is characterized by its bright blue color, the sad smiley face, and the bluntly plain “An error has occurred” message, which all make the screen so instantly recognizable. But Microsoft is now changing the design of the blue error screen and breaking with tradition. In fact, it won’t be called a “blue screen” anymore because, at least in the current preview version of Windows 11 24H2, the error screen is now completely black. (For Windows Insiders on test versions, the error screen will be green instead.) Microsoft It’s not just the color. Other iconic elements are also apparently being removed, as Windows Latest has discovered. For example, it no longer displays a sad smiley face or a QR code. The QR codes have been a part of the blue screen error design since 2016 with Windows 10, and are intended to direct users to relevant troubleshooting tips. The text has also been changed. It now says “Your device ran into a problem and needs to restart,” which is much shorter and less ominous or overwhelming. It also says “device” instead of “PC,” which broadens it to more than just desktops and laptops. The specific reason for the crash (and the error code) is displayed at the bottom in much smaller text. It’s been coming for a long time Microsoft allegedly developed a new system crash screen back during the initial development of Windows 11, but apparently discarded those changes—or at least postponed them for a later release. Perhaps that time is now, with preview builds already using the new design. Get Windows 11 Pro for cheap Windows 11 Pro Why does Microsoft even want to change the BSOD in the first place? That’s anyone’s guess. It’s possible that Microsoft doesn’t like the iconic reputation of the blue error screen, which in some ways symbolizes the numerous problems that often come with Windows updates. If that’s the case, it’s hard to see the redesigned error screen as an improvement—the new look is now even more reminiscent of a funeral, as it’s completely black and white. And despite the accrued baggage, the familiar blue screen will certainly be missed by long-time Windows users, as it has long been a historical part of the Windows experience. It’s not yet known exactly when the new system crash error screen will be rolled out to the public version of Windows 11. We haven’t yet been able to discover it in the official Windows 11 roadmap, but the change will probably be introduced in an upcoming Patch Tuesday. Read...

Shortly before the weekend, Microsoft removed the BypassNRO.cmd script from the preview versions of Windows 11 for Insiders on the Dev Channel, as Microsoft announced in a blog post: “We’re removing the bypassnro.cmd script from the build to enhance security and user experience of Windows 11. This change ensures that all users exit setup with internet connectivity and a Microsoft Account.” This command line script bypassed the Microsoft Account requirement when installing Windows 11, so testers could install and log into Windows 11 with a local account instead. (Theoretically, it’s possible to manually create the same registry entry that BypassNRO.cmd created, but doing it this way is tedious and requires good registry knowledge. You can find the necessary registry entry at BleepingComputer). Get Windows 11 Pro for cheap Windows 11 Pro But there’s some good news, too. Resourceful Windows Insider testers have already found a replacement solution for Windows 11 Home and Pro. A user named Witherornot1337 has published the instructions on X/Twitter. It involves opening the command prompt from the Windows key + X menu, then enter the following command: start ms-cxh:localonly A Windows window (which looks like an old Windows 10 window) will open, in which you can create a local account with a username and password, then continue with the installation of Windows 11. In the tweet, a video clip shows the entire process. This method is pretty simple—much simpler than hacking your own Windows registry entry—and works without restarting Windows. The only question is how long Microsoft will allow this solution. At the moment, the removal of BypassNRO.cmd only affects the preview version of Windows 11. In other words, BypassNRO.cmd is still included in the public versions of the OS. But if this change holds, then expect it to disappear from all Windows 11 PCs later this year. Read...

I’ve searched high and low for an enterprise-grade laptop that’s portable, has the tools I need to keep my work secure, but that’s also powerful enough to run graphically demanding 3D models, design software, and games. But up until now the closest thing I’ve come across is a creator laptop that can’t compete in the portability stakes. Plus it looks too industrial for the office — yuk! HP’s new 14-inch HP ZBook Ultra G1a, however, just won’t toe the line on that paradigm. In fact, it destroys it completely, combining an extremely lightweight, thin, and attractive chassis, a powerful AI-capable chipset, and most importantly – the one thing that has me so in awe – graphics power that can rival a gaming laptop. What?! How much graphics power am I talking about? As an example, at HP’s launch event for the ZBook Ultra G1a the HP team had it running an F1 Simulator and outputting to multiple displays at 2.2K resolution, and it still managed to average an impressive100 frames per second! Are you catching on why this laptop has my attention now? But as impressive as that is, the HP ZBook Ultra G1a shouldn’t be confused for a gaming laptop. No, this laptop is an enterprise laptop through and through, with all the hallmarks of a modern workstation. It has a compact 14-inch chassis that’s both robust and strong. Its 2.8K OLED display is color rich, but it’s also easy on the eyes thanks to its Eyesafe certification. I mentioned before that it’s light and thin, but in fact it’s impressively so! It weighs no more than 3.3 pounds and measures just 0.73 inches at the front — so you won’t have any problem packing it into a satchel for meetings on the fly. The port selection is very good, too, for a small laptop. You get 2x Thunderbolt 4 ports, a 10Gbps USB-C port, a USB-A port, as well as an HDMI 2.1 port and a 3.5mm Kensington lock. This pocket rocket also supports up to 4TB storage, so there’s plenty of space to store large files and programs. For video calls it has a 5MP IR camera. HP ZBook Ultra G1a also has the kind of security that differentiates work laptops from other types. It comes with HP’s Wolf Security and a fingerprint reader for utilizing the Windows Hello secure login. HP demonstrated the HP SureView onlooker protection feature on the Ultra G1a which blurs your screen when you walk away from it. No doubt that will come in handy when strangers try to peek at your game… ahem…work! The HP ZBook has a spacious backlit, spill-resistant keyboard and large trackpad. Shown here: The keyboard backlighting is switched off. Dominic Bayley / Foundry The key behind the ZBook Ultra G1a’s power and portability can be put down to one thing: Its AMD Ryzen AI Max Pro chip which I’ve been wanting to see in action ever since I heard about it at CES 2025. This impressive piece of silicon is based on AMD’s new Strix Halo architecture. It combines CPU, GPU, and NPU processing all on a single chip. Indeed, the Ultra G1a can be configured with any one of nine AMD Strix Halo processors, ranging from the AMD Ryzen AI Max Pro 386 up to the zippiest AMD Ryzen AI Max+ Pro 395. The latter puts 16 cores of glorious desktop-grade CPU power in your hands with an impressive 5.1GHz maximum clock speed, so more than enough to keep even the most demanding apps ticking along smoothly. The graphics power comes courtesy of 40 integrated RDNA 3.5 cores. The HP ZBook G1a is adept at running design programs that render images in 3D.  Dominic Bayley / Foundry If the APU is impressive, so is the memory it feeds. It consists of a unified architecture that features up to 128GB DDR5 RAM running at 8,533 MT/s. A whopping 96GB of that RAM can be allocated to the GPU for when you need the ZBook Ultra G1a to run the most graphically demanding programs. The other benefit of the APU and unified memory is multitasking, which I saw in action at the HP launch event as well. HP said the Ultra G1a can easily handle complex 3D sets interactively, and large AI models locally — the latter of which is going to redefine what workers can achieve on the edge without the need of the cloud. So, this laptop has workflow as well as rendering down pat. One demonstration had the HP ZBook Ultra G1a running the application Amuse simultaneously alongside the programs Navisworks and LM Studio, again outputting to different displays. Despite loading up the chip with this level of work, the performance remained very smooth. If there was any lag, I didn’t see it. The HP ZBook Ultra G1a had no problem running multiple applications simultaneously.Dominic Bayley / Foundry HP said the Ultra G1a would suit a range of different professionals, from engineers to creative professionals. I have no doubt about that. Suffice it to say, this laptop has the kind of power and portability that could make their lives a lot easier — not to mention boost productivity. One productivity model presented by AMD at the launch showed a productivity boost of 39 percent — but anything just shy of that would still be useful. To that end the ZBook Ultra G1a is very well equipped with AI power — which is expected to be one of the biggest boosters of productivity in the future. The NPU supports 50 TOPS processing power to a total 125 TOPS total power for the whole chip. That’s enough for a seamless experience with AI apps like Microsoft Copilot or HP’s own AI Companion. Me, I’m not sure I’ll push the AI power to the limits. I’m just excited to see how far I can push the graphics power when I get a review model to test. Judging by what I’ve seen so far, I think I’ve got a lot more eyebrow raising to look forward to. Read...

A gaming laptop with a great configuration that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg can be hard to find. Well, today we found a great deal on the Acer Nitro V 15 for just $750 at Best Buy! Most laptops in the $750 price range come with lesser processors and integrated graphics that result in sluggish systems that don’t let you have much fun. But not this Acer! This one comes with an Intel Core i7-13620H processor, 16GB of DDR5 RAM, and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 dedicated graphics card—a phenomenal combo for the price. The 13th-generation CPU is fast and can handle all sorts of tasks that you have to complete throughout the day, including work, gaming, and content creation. The 16GB of RAM is the minimum I recommend for a Windows laptop these days, and it’s enough to let you multitask several apps and browser tabs without slowing to a crawl. Oh, and you also get a decent 512GB SSD that’ll make booting up your system and loading up your apps and games a breeze. And the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 is a solid graphics card that’ll let you play most games in your library. It’s not the newest generation, or even the best in its own generation, but you can’t really complain when you’re only shelling out $750. It’s the best you can ask for in this range, and those games will look great on this laptop’s 15.6-inch IPS display with its standard 1080p resolution but above-standard 144Hz refresh rate. What are you waiting for? Get the Acer Nitro V 15 for $750 at Best Buy sooner than later because this hot deals on gaming laptops like this one tend not to last very long. Save $350 on Acer`s superb RTX 4060 gaming laptopBuy now at Best Buy Read...

Firstly, you need your signature in digital form, preferably using a tablet PC with pen input. If you don’t have such a device to hand, sign on a white sheet of paper and take a photo of your signature using a scanner app. Microsoft’s OneDrive app, which not only provides access to the manufacturer’s cloud storage, but also has a good scanner function integrated, is an uncomplicated help here. Start the OneDrive app on your smartphone and tap the camera icon under “Start” in the bottom right-hand corner. A camera app will open in which you can select “Document” at the bottom before taking a photo. This will automatically lighten shadows on the white paper. After taking the photo, you can use “Crop” to remove unnecessary edges and “Done” to save the file to OneDrive. If the quality of the photo is not yet satisfactory, you can improve it in any image-editing program using “Contrast” and “Brightness.” Use a scanner app to take a photo of your signature and insert it as an electronic signature in Word, for example. You can do this with the free OneDrive app from Microsoft, for example.IDG In Word, insert the photo of your signature into the document at the desired location using Insert > Picture > This device. After inserting, the image can be reduced in size using the frame corners. To speed things up in future, create a “quick block.” In Word, select the inserted signature and any additional text such as “Yours sincerely.” Press the Alt-F3 key combination or select Insert > Quick blocks > Save selection in quick block catalog. Enter a short description under “Name.” You can insert the quick block by entering the name in Word and then pressing the F3 key. There must be no space between the name and the cursor when you press F3. A “quick block” can be created from your inserted signature and the surrounding text, which can then be inserted using the F3 key. IDG Important: An electronic signature is actually “only” a photo of your signature that you insert into a digital document. It therefore does not have the same legal effect as a digital signature. A legally valid digital signature is an asymmetric encryption system that has been regulated by the U.S. Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce (ESIGN) Act in 2000. This distinguishes between simple, advanced and qualified electronic signatures. Information on digital signatures can be found here. Reading tip: Microsoft Word: 9 tricks and hidden features This article was translated from German to English and originally appeared on pcwelt.de. Read...

I bet you there’s something you need on your desk that you probably didn’t realize you needed. I’m talking about this 6-in-1 Baseus Blade charging station that’s compact, practical, and only $59.49 on Amazon with this Prime deal plus the extra 15% off promo code on the product page. (Be sure to apply code JF8DVF7C at checkout, and grab a free 30-day Prime trial if you aren’t a member!) The Baseus Blade charging station features two AC outlets, three USB-C ports, and a USB-A port. The whole thing is about the size and shape of a typical smartphone, so it can easily slip inside any bag, making it great for travel. (The detachable 5-feet cord is a lovely bonus.) But it’s also perfect as a home office desk accessory for keeping all your things charged. Since it uses modern GaN technology, the Baseus Blade is not only smaller in size but also more power efficient, allowing it to charge faster and give off less heat. And with its 7-point safety system, your devices are protected against over-voltage, over-current, and short circuits. This charging station delivers a maximum of 140W through the right-most USB-C port, with power throughput being split when multiple ports are in use. You can see exactly how much power each port is delivering by checking out the on-device LCD display. Don’t miss this awesome price! Get this Baseus Blade 6-in-1 charging station for $59.49 on Amazon while you can. Make sure to redeem promo code JF8DVF7C at checkout, and sign up for a 30-day free trial of Prime for this deal and extra perks if you aren’t Prime yet. Save 41% on this multi-device AC and USB charging stationBuy now at Amazon Read...

Did you know that March 31st is World Backup Day? It’s your early reminder of how important it is to safeguard your digital data from potential loss. It’s also a great time to score fantastic discounts on Samsung storage options with these special deals! Samsung’s T9 is an absolute beast of a portable SSD and we loved it enough to give it a 4.5-star rating in our review. Right now, you can get the 2TB version for $180 at Samsung’s store (also on Amazon), which is a solid 31% discount. Or get the 4TB version for $280 from Samsung, which is 40% off (also on Amazon). 2TB Samsung T9 portable SSD for $180Buy now from Samsung 4TB Samsung T9 portable SSD for $280Buy now from Samsung If you want to upgrade your computer’s internal storage, the 4TB Samsung 990 PRO SSD is down to $290 at Samsung, which is $110 off its MSRP. (Amazon has this one for $280, if you want to save an additional $10.) The Heatsink version of the 990 PRO, however, is on sale for $300 at both Samsung and Amazon. 4TB Samsung 990 PRO internal SSD for $290Buy now from Samsung 4TB Samsung 990 PRO (with heatsink) for $300Buy now from Samsung If you’d rather get a microSD for your phone, tablet, camera, or whatever other device, the 512GB Samsung PRO Plus (Sonic the Hedgehog Edition) with an SD adapter is on sale for $40. With read and write speeds of up to 180 MB/s and 130 MB/s, respectively, you’ll speedily transfer files or record 4K videos. (Amazon has the same offer.) 512GB Samsung PRO Plus Sonic microSD card for $40Buy now from Samsung Whatever you do, don’t miss out on the chance to get the right backup solution for your needs, saving hundreds in the process! Read...

HP is broadening its Omen gaming lineup with components for desktop gaming PCs. Previously HP focused on prebuilt Omen desktops and gaming laptops, so this shift will likely sit well with gamers looking to upgrade or build new rigs. These components are now listed on HP’s website. They include a standalone 120mm RGB fan, a 120mm modular RGB fan triple pack, and a 1000W modular PSU. A modular 240mm LCD liquid cooling system and a larger 360mm RGB liquid cooling system are featured on HP’s website as well. HP claims its Omen fans will cool efficiently thanks to their angular ring-shaped design that provides a high airflow. Additionally, their high static pressure will minimize vibrations. Each fan comes with 10 LEDs, so you’ll be able to customize them with up to 16.2 million colors and animations via the Omen Gaming Hub. The company’s 1000W Omen PSU will come with modular connectors and a PCIe 5.1 cable that will provide up to 600W of power. The PSU will support the latest graphics cards with 12VHPWR and 12V-2×6 ports. A zero RPM mode will shut the fan off during low heat loads for a quieter power delivery. The liquid cooling components will both feature Asetek 7th generation pumps as well as customizable RGB parts. All the modular components will be compatible with the Omen daisy chain system, allowing you to connect up to 16 fans per Omen Modular Hub. As for compatibility, HP said the components will be compatible with desktop PCs outside of the Omen brand, allowing gamers to mix and match parts as they see fit. No word on the release date yet, but, according to HP’s website, these components are coming soon, so check back here for further details. Read...

Sourcetable has launched the world`s first AI-driven spreadsheet, promising to revolutionise data analysis for the 750 million global users of spreadsheets. Read...