At a glanceExpert`s Rating Pros Integrated solar panel Local microSD storage up to 512GB Quick, wire-free setup Cons Limited to two activity zones No advanced AI features (e.g., vehicle/pet/face recognition) Local-only storage means no offsite backup if the camera is stolen or damaged Our Verdict If you want a straightforward, subscription-free solar cam for home monitoring, the Baseus S1 Lite nails the basics and battery life, but power users will want more. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Best Prices Today: Baseus S1 Lite Retailer Price $49.99 View Deal $79.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Best Prices Today: Check today’s prices Baseus has been steadily pushing beyond its roots in phone chargers and accessories, and its latest move is to expand it’s smart security lineup with two solar-powered outdoor cameras: the Baseus S1 Lite (reviewed here) and the Baseus S2 (which we’ll cover at a later date). The company pitches the Basues S1 Lite as a budget-friendly option designed for people who want affordable security without being tied to monthly fees for cloud storage. The question is whether the camera feels like a genuine bargain or just a bunch of trade-offs. Design and features Unlike the conventional bullet- and dome-style cameras you see on most houses, the S1 Lite has a flat, rectangular shape. The design allows its solar panel to be integrated into the camera body rather than bolted on as a separate unit. That small detail gives the S1 Lite a sleeker, more modern look than many other solar-powered cameras. The solar panel is paired with a 5,200mAh battery. A couple of hours of sunlight a day is enough to keep it topped off, according to Baseus, with a single charge lasting up to 150 days. It’s weatherized to handle the outdoors, with an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, and is built to operate in temperatures from –4 degrees Fahrenheit to 122 F. (Allow us to explain what you need to know about IP codes.) The Basus S1 Lite has an integrated solar panel on top that keeps the design clean, not clunky.Michael Ansaldo/Foundry The camera records in 2K resolution and has a 135-degree field of view, that’s wide enough to cover a good chunk of a yard or driveway. An 8x digital zoom lets you get a closer look at people or objects within about 26 feet. At night, a built-in spotlight kicks on to deliver color video when motion is detected, effective out to about 20 feet. The S1 Lite isn’t overloaded with AI features, but it covers the basics: It can distinguish between human movement and general motion, and you can draw up to two custom activity zones while masking out two privacy zones. Two-way audio lets you hear what’s happening outside and speak with visitors and delivery people. For storage, you can slot in a microSD card with a capacity up to 512GB (our guide to microSD cards will help you pick one). This means your recordings are stored locally, with AES and RSA encryption, and free from subscription fees. For smart-home users, the S1 Lite ties into the Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant ecosystems and is managed through the Baseus app for Android or iOS. Setup and performance Setting up the S1 Lite starts with downloading the Baseus Security app, which you’ll need to connect the camera to your Wi-Fi network. Once the camera is powered on, the app automatically detects it and walks you through the connection process step by step. From there, you can mount the camera with the included screw mount, a job that takes only a few minutes thanks to its wireless design. Connectivity is limited to 2.4GHz Wi-Fi networks, which is common at this price but worth noting if your network is already overcrowded. The camera’s microSD card slot and charging port are protected from weather by a rubber cover. Michael Ansaldo/Foundry Video performance is solid for a budget camera. The 2K resolution captures good detail during the day, and the wide-angle view means you can cover a yard or driveway with a single unit. At night, black-and-white infrared night vision keeps watch until motion triggers the spotlight, enabling the camera to deliver color video that can capture details like the color of clothing or car paint. The Baseus Security app functions well as a control hub for the camera. The home screen shows a live feed with quick access to functions like recording, snapshots, spotlight, and two-way talk. Dive into settings and you can adjust video and audio quality, manage battery performance, or fine-tune motion detection. Sensitivity is controlled with a simple slider, and you can choose between detecting all motion or just human activity. It’s a straightforward, no-nonsense layout that makes it easy to get the camera working the way you want without feeling buried in menus. Smart alerts were generally responsive in my testing. Setting the detection to “human” cut down on the number of notifications from trees swaying and other incidental motion, effectively keeping notifications manageable. The Baseus Security app keeps the camera controls clean and intuitive. Michael Ansaldo/Foundry I’ve always been a fan of local storage, as it keeps my data in my hands and eliminates ongoing fees for cloud storage. But it’s worth noting that Baseus doesn’t provide any means for backing up the camera’s video recordings offsite. So, if the camera is damaged or stolen in the commission of a crime, you’ll have no forensic evidence. That trade-off will matter more to some than others, but at this price point it feels like a fair compromise. Should you buy the Baseus Security S1 Lite Outdoor Camera 2K? The Baseus S1 Lite makes a strong case as an entry-level outdoor camera. At $80–and selling for much less online–it’s cheaper than many 2K solar-powered competitors, and the absence of a subscription fee to store its video recordings in the cloud lowers its total cost of ownership even more. You will need to make some small compromises, however. Support for only 2.4GHz Wi-Fi will limit its performance on crowded networks. The two-activity-zone/two-privacy-zone limit might prove restrictive if you’re monitoring a larger space. And advanced AI smarts like vehicle or pet detection will be missed if you want to watch out for unfamiliar cars or wandering critters. If those things matter, either keep shopping. For budget-conscious homeowners, though, the Baseus S1 Lite hits the right notes. You’ll give up some bells and whistles, but you’ll still get a capable solar-powered camera that delivers on its core promise: affordable outdoor security. Read...

Google is expanding the features of YouTube Premium, bringing the benefits of the paid subscription service to more devices, according to a recent community thread post. YouTube Premium subscribers will see the following improvements: High-quality audio: Enjoy a more immersive listening experience with improved audio quality (256 Kbps). This feature, previously available in the YouTube Music app and only as an opt-in experiment on YouTube, is now fully available in the YouTube apps for Android and iOS. (But only for official/premium music videos and Art Tracks.) Faster playback speeds: You can now speed up playback on multiple devices in 0.05x increments up to a maximum of 4x. Previously only available on Android and iOS, this YouTube Premium feature is now fully available on Android, iOS, and the web. Skip forward: Jump to the most interesting parts of videos faster by seamlessly skipping to the most important moments via AI and your user data. This feature is already available on Android, iOS, and the web and is now also available for YouTube on smart TVs and gaming consoles. Shorts Smart Downloads: Automatically download your favorite Shorts based on your previous viewing history so you always have something new to watch—without you having to do a thing. Previously available on Android and as an opt-in experiment on iOS, this feature is now fully available on iOS. Shorts Picture-in-Picture (PiP): Have your Shorts play in a small window while you scroll through other content on your device. Previously available on Android and as an opt-in experiment on iOS, this feature is now fully available on iOS. How much is YouTube Premium? For individuals, YouTube Premium costs $13.99/month or $139.99/year. Families can get YouTube Premium Family for $22.99/month while students can get YouTube Premium Student for $7.99/month. If you only care about an ad-free viewing experience and none of the other benefits that come with YouTube Premium, you might want to look into the new YouTube Premium Lite option. However, even Premium Lite still has some ads in some areas of YouTube. Read...

If you’re looking for a much-larger laptop with a much-longer battery life, you might want to look into the Energizer-branded EnergyBook Pro Ultra. This is a brand-new flagship laptop by Avenir Telecom, who also unveiled two other models next to this one—the EnergyBook Pro 15 and the EnergyBook Pro XL 18—reports The Verge. The EnergyBook Pro Ultra is equipped with a super-battery with a capacity of 192 watt-hours (13,000mAh), which is said to be the largest battery that’s ever been used in a laptop. Although Energizer boasts a 7-day standby mode, the actual battery life is 28 hours for browsing and 11 hours for demanding tasks like gaming. Note that FAA regulations require approval for lithium-ion batteries larger than 100 watt-hours, with a strict cap of 160 watt-hours. That means this massive battery won’t be allowed on planes. Other features include an 18-inch 1920×1200 screen, AMD Ryzen 5 processor, 16GB of DDR4 memory, and a 512GB SSD. As for cost, we’re looking at €449 ($523) as a starting price for one of the smaller models. Read...

At a glanceExpert`s Rating Pros Extremely thin and easy to pack High brightness with anti-glare panel make for comfortable viewing 180Hz refresh rate with Adaptive Sync Cons Uses Mini-HDMI input instead of full-sized HDMI Mediocre contrast ratio and color performance Currently a bit expensive compared to the competition Our Verdict The Arzopa Z3FC serves up a high-refresh 2560×1440 IPS-LCD in a slim, light package, though it’s a tad more expensive than it should be. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Best Prices Today: Arzopa Z3FC Retailer Price Arzopa $199.99 View Deal Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Best Prices Today: Check today’s prices Most portable monitors are meant for basic productivity, but that’s not always true. The Arzopa Z3FC is a large IPS LCD portable monitor with an 180Hz refresh rate that aims to be of use both for office productivity and gaming. It’s successful, but its launch price is an obstacle. Read on to learn more, then see our roundup of the best portable monitors for comparison. Arzopa Z3FC specs and features The Arzopa Z3FC is a step up from the budget portable monitors that retail around $100 or less, and it provides some upgrades. The Z3FC has 2560×1440 resolution which, of course, is superior to the 1920×1080 resolution that most budget alternatives provide. The Z3FC also has a speedy 180Hz refresh rate, which is high for a portable monitor. Display size: 16.1-inch 16:9 aspect ratio Native resolution: 2560×1440 Panel type: IPS-LED Refresh rate: 180Hz Adaptive sync: Yes, AMD FreeSync HDR: None Ports: 2x USB Type-C with Power Delivery and DisplayPort, 1x Mini-HDMI 2.0 Audio: 2x 1-watt speakers Additional features: Built-in kickstand Dimensions: 13 x 8 x 0.39 inches Weight: 1.72 pounds Price: $229.99 MSRP, $199.99 typical retail The Arzopa Z3FC has an MSRP of $229.99, but I don’t think it was ever sold at MSRP (which is not unusual for an Amazon product listing). It’s more typically available at $199.99. Even that is towards the high end of where I expect this product to land as it ages. Its predecessor, the Arzopa Z1FC, was introduced at $259.99 but has sold as low as $96.98. I’d expect the Z3FC will gradually limbo closer to that figure. Arzopa Z3FC design The Arzopa Z3FC combines an aluminum frame and rear panel with plastic bezels to produce an attractive, durable feel. Despite its extremely thin profile—it measures less than 4/10-inch thick—the Z3FC feels solid when handled and doesn’t easily show flex. Don’t get me wrong: You could absolutely snap this thing over your knee if you wanted. But the same could be said of the iPad Pro. Big, thin devices are never bomb-proof, but the Z3FC feels nice. Matthew Smith / Foundry Its thin profile means the portable monitor is, well, portable. It weighs in at roughly 1.7 pounds, which is a tad lighter than average for a 16-inch portable monitor. Arzopa avoids using a bump-out to accommodate the ports and the kickstand retracts fully into the monitor’s case, both of which make the display easy to carry. Yet despite its small size, the kickstand supports use in both portrait and landscape orientation. A sleeve is included, as well. It looks okay but includes a flap that is secured with velcro. While the carrying case largely does its job, it doesn’t offer much padding, so I wouldn’t trust it alone to protect the monitor when packing it in checked luggage. The same can be said for most sleeves included with portable monitors, though. Arzopa Z3FC connectivity Connectivity is a mix bag with the Arzopa Z3FC. It includes two USB-C ports, each with DisplayPort and Power Delivery, and a HDMI port. So far, so good. The HDMI port is mini-HDMI, though, which is a bummer. While the Arzopa Z3FC does include a HDMI to mini-HDMI cable, mini-HDMI is much less common overall. You may have difficulty finding a cable around an office, or for sale in a store, if you leave the included cable at home. Matthew Smith / Foundry Of course, you could just rely on USB-C, which might be easier. The USB-C ports support Power Delivery to power the monitor when connected to a USB-C port that provides enough wattage. The specs don’t state what’s required, but an 18-watt power source was adequate. The USB-C ports support power pass-through. That means you can connect a USB-C source with power to one USB-C port, then use the portable monitor to charge a USB-C device connected to the other USB-C port. A USB-C power brick is not included, but will be required if you plan to deliver video to the Z3FC over HDMI, or if you use a USB-C video input that lacks power. The lack of a power brick is a minor disappointment, but most competitive portable monitors also ship without a power brick. Arzopa Z3FC menus, audio The Arzopa Z3FC’s menu system offers a wider range of options than most. It includes not only the typical brightness and contrast but also several color gamut modes, RGB calibration, and a 4:3 aspect ratio mode. As simple as these might seem, they aren’t guaranteed on a portable monitor. Some alternatives only provide brightness, contrast, and sharpness adjustment. Matthew Smith / Foundry Adjustments are easy, too, as the monitor includes two buttons and a volume rocker. The buttons are used to enter or exit menus and the rocker is used to select or adjust options. Overall, the Arzopa Z3FC’s menu can’t quite match that typically provided by Viewsonic, but beats budget portable monitors like the MSI Pro MP165 E6. A pair of 1-watt speakers can be found on each flank of the Z3FC. They’re weak, providing barely adequate volume even at maximum. The speakers are okay for a podcast but otherwise of limited use. The Arzopa Z3FC’s menu system offers a wider range of options than most. Arzopa Z3FC SDR image quality The Arzopa Z3FC isn’t expensive, but I wouldn’t say it’s a budget portable monitor—at least, not at its current typical retail price of $199.99. That means the monitor’s image quality matters. It scores well in several areas, though in others it feels pressure from OLED competition. Matthew Smith / Foundry Brightness is a positive for the Arzopa Z3FC. It comes close to 400 nits of SDR brightness, which is great for a portable monitor. This level of brightness is excessive for most situations, but portable monitors are likely to be used in areas where you have no control over the lighting, like a conference room or airport lounge. The Z3FC’s high brightness will make the monitor more comfortable to use in bright rooms and near large, sunlit windows. Matthew Smith / Foundry Contrast, on the other hand, is a miss for the Z3FC. Most portable monitors with an IPS-LCD panel struggle with contrast, and the Z3FC comes in towards the bottom of the pack. That means the image can look flat and dull. It’s not a problem in Microsoft Office, but disappointing when playing a game. Portable monitors with an OLED panel, like the Innocn 15K1F, are a much better choice for entertainment. They provide a deep, immersive image that easily stands out. Keep in mind, however, that price-comparable OLED portable monitors will have a 60Hz refresh rate. That’s a trade-off you’ll need to weigh. Matthew Smith / Foundry The Arzopa Z3FC’s color gamut is good, or mediocre, depending on your perspective. It covers 99 percent of sRGB as well as 78 percent of DCI-P3 and AdobeRGB. As the graph shows, that’s average to above-average for a portable monitor with an IPS-LCD display. The Z3FC’s color gamut is enough to provide good color volume and a vibrant image. However, the Z3FC’s color gamut is far behind the Innocn 15K1F’s OLED panel, and will significantly lag OLED alternatives in general. OLED provides an incredibly rich, hyper-saturated look that many will prefer. Matthew Smith / Foundry The Arzopa Z3FC achieved modest results in color accuracy. Its average color error isn’t bad, but the average includes noticeable errors in colors such as blue and cyan. The overall impression is that the monitor can look a bit too red or orange. That’s also represented in the monitor’s color temperature of 6300K, which is a bit warmer than the target of 6500K. Gamma, on the other hand, was solid with an on-target gamma curve of 2.2. Content generally looks as bright as it should, and while the monitor’s overall contrast isn’t great, it does a fine job of preserving detail in dark areas of a scene. Sharpness is a highlight. The 16.1-inch panel has a resolution of 2560×1440. That works out to about 182 pixels per inch. That’s a higher pixel density than a 27-inch 4K monitor (at about 163 ppi) and much better than a 27-inch 1440p monitor (at roughly 110 ppi). High-resolution video looks great and text looks sharp. So what’s the verdict? I think the Z3FC’s image quality is fine, even good. It benefits from a decent color gamut and high brightness, two traits that help it deliver an attractive image when used in a bright room. It’s less impressive in darker rooms, as the limited contrast ratio becomes more noticeable. The main decision you’ll need to make is whether you’d prefer an IPS-LCD display with high brightness and a fast refresh rate, like the Z3FC, or an OLED competitor with superior contrast and color gamut, like the Innocn 15K1F. Arzopa Z3FC HDR image quality and motion The Arzopa Z3FC includes HDR, but it’s nothing to write home about—or, if you did, you might use language your pen pal wouldn’t appreciate. While HDR is supported, the monitor’s limited contrast ratio and brightness means there’s not much, if any, benefit to using it. The image looks a bit different, but not better. I recommend sticking to SDR. This is not a problem exclusive to the Z3FC, however. All portable monitors suffer bad HDR to varying degrees. It’s a direct result of their portability and low pricing. The Viewsonic VX1655-4K-OLED is the only portable monitor I’ve tested to deliver passable HDR—but it retails at $519.99. The Z3FC’s motion clarity benefits from the IPS-LCD panel’s 180Hz refresh rate, which is high for a portable monitor with 2560×1440 resolution. A higher refresh rate translates to reduced blur in fast-moving and rapidly changing images, and the improvement is obvious, particularly when compared to a 60Hz alternative. Arzopa lists a pixel response time of 9 milliseconds on the monitor’s Amazon page. That’s not great—a desktop LCD-IPS gaming monitor will typically quote a response time of 0.5 milliseconds to 5 milliseconds. Overall motion clarity is solid for single-player titles and cooperative games, though esports fans with a critical eye and fast reactions should keep expectations in check. While the Z3FC’s motion clarity isn’t perfect, its portability and price should be kept in mind. Most portable monitors have a much lower refresh rate and, as a result, have much more noticeable motion blur. OLED alternatives will beat the Z3FC, but those with a 120Hz refresh rate start around $250 ($50 more than the Z3FC) and go up from there. The Z3FC is a price-to-value middle ground for people who want acceptable motion clarity in games but still need to be mindful of their budget. Should you buy the Arzopa Z3FC? The Arzopa Z3FC is another solid portable monitor in the company’s line-up. It provides good image quality and a fast 180Hz refresh rate for $199.99. It also benefits from slim, attractive design and an easy-to-use menu system. With that said, pricing doesn’t currently work to its favor. Arzopa’s older Z1FC, which is similar but has a slightly slower 144Hz refresh rate, can be had for $109.99—a much better deal overall. I expect the Z3FC’s price will gradually be reduced, but at the moment it’s too expensive for what it offers. Still, the Z3FC provides high brightness, decent color performance, slim design, and good motion clarity. These traits make it an appealing general-purpose portable monitor and also useful for gaming on the go. Read...

TL;DR: Skip the pricey subscriptions—get Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 for a one-time payment of just $19.97. Not every project needs the newest, flashiest software. For many professionals, students, and everyday users, Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 is more than enough—and now it’s yours for just $19.97. Office 2019 remains one of the most trusted and widely used productivity suites worldwide, giving you lifetime access to the tools you rely on most: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Publisher, and Access. With improved cloud connectivity and updated features, you’ll have everything you need to create, edit, organize, and present without recurring subscription fees. The 2019 versions include: Word – Powerful word processing with enhanced inking tools Excel – Advanced data analysis features, including new formulas PowerPoint – Fresh presentation tools to keep your slides engaging Outlook – Smarter email and contact management Publisher and Access – Create professional publications and manage databases OneNote – Organize notes, ideas, and to-do lists in one easy-to-access digital notebook This is a one-time purchase, tied directly to your Windows device, so you’ll never have to worry about monthly bills or expiring trials. Get a lifetime license to MS Office Professional Plus 2019 for $19.97 (MSRP $229) through October 12. Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 for WindowsSee Deal StackSocial prices subject to change. Read...

TL;DR: Reclaim space on your iPhone without upgrading—lifetime access to Cleaner Kit Premium is just $24.97 (MSRP $104.97) with code SAVE5 through Oct. 12. Upgrading an iPhone just for more storage? Not necessary. Cleaner Kit, an AI-powered app trusted by over 67 million users, helps you reclaim space and speed up your device for a one-time price of $24.97 (MSRP $104.97) with code SAVE5. Cleaner Kit scans your photo gallery for duplicates and blurry shots, compresses oversized videos, merges duplicate contacts, and even tidies up your inbox in just a few taps. It’s like spring cleaning, but for the iPhone—and it never judges how many photos you’ve taken of your cat. Key features: Photo and video cleanup: Remove duplicates and compress large media files while keeping quality intact Smart swipe sorting: Quickly review and archive low-quality shots Contact and calendar Management: Merge duplicate contacts and clear old events Secure vault: Lock sensitive files or contacts for privacy Inbox cleaner: Bulk-manage outdated emails by sender Cleaner Kit runs entirely on your device (iOS 15.0+), so your data never leaves your phone. Get the Cleaner Kit for iOS Premium Plan for life for just $24.97 (MSRP $104.97) with code SAVE5 through Oct. 12. Cleaner Kit for iOS Premium Plan: Lifetime SubscriptionSee Deal StackSocial prices subject to change. Read...

At a glanceExpert`s Rating Pros Highly readable e-ink screen Light and portable Good keyboard Cons Way too expensive No backlight Limited functionality Our Verdict The Freewrite Traveler is way too expensive and lacks basic features like a backlight or spell check, but its focused interface and solid keyboard mean it’s better than other, similar devices. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Best Prices Today: Freewrite Traveler Retailer Price Astrohaus $549 View Deal Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Best Prices Today: Check today’s prices I really like the Freewrite Traveler. And I kind of hate that I like it. As I said in a review for a similar device, the KingJim Pomera DM250, I’ve been looking for a small, travel-friendly, dedicated writing gadget (a “writer deck,” if you will) for a long time. And I’ve been aware of the Astrohaus Freewrite devices for a long time, too, and considered the Traveler as an ideal form factor for this admittedly niche category. But various aspects of it rubbed me the wrong way. Michael Crider/Foundry The Freewrite marketing has always smacked of “hipster” to me. It’s the same sort of smarmy, condescending tone that seems to pervade Moleskine notebooks. While I can understand its hyper-focused approach — that’s kind of the whole point — its deliberate lack of utility rankled against my instincts as a tech nerd. And given those limitations, Astrohaus’s prices for its various devices seem ridiculous to me. The Traveler, for example, has specs that would shame an entry-level Chromebook or Kindle, yet costs $550, and hasn’t seen an update in years. (On the subject of price: I bought this particular model secondhand, hence the various dings in the plastic, and with my own money. My editor Brad might slap me if I tried to expense something like this.) Freewrite Traveler: Look at me! I’m writing! Even the aesthetics of the device are smarmy. Whereas the Pomera DM250 went with an understated soft-touch plastic with no exterior logos at all, the Freewrite Traveler has a MASSIVE, engraved metal logo on its glossy lid, the kind of branding that would make even Apple cringe. The interior is attention-grabbing white with red and chrome accents. It’s loud, which is almost ironic for something that’s supposed to be small and dedicated to writing. Michael Crider/Foundry It uses a non-backlit, membrane keyboard. Its small e-ink screen also has no backlight, which presents a serious impediment if you want to use the device in anything but a well-lit room (or add on a book light like it’s 1995). Between the processing power that would be bested by an ancient graphing calculator and the 5.5-inch e-ink screen, the refresh rate is so slow that I’m constantly two or three words ahead as I type this very review. The Freewrite Traveler is overpriced, underpowered, and incessantly pleased with itself. And dammit, I have to admit that it’s pretty darn good. The Freewrite Traveler is overpriced, underpowered, and incessantly pleased with itself. And dammit, I have to admit that it’s pretty darn good. Freewrite Traveler: Minimalism to the max For the distraction-free writing purist, most of these drawbacks are in fact positives, with the possible exception of the price. The lack of advanced capabilities, including any kind of serious editing chops or spell check, means there’s nothing to do but churn out words. (And lots of spelling mistakes.) Astrohaus software lacks even basic copy and paste functionality, so there’s nothing to do but write, write, write in a sort of stream of consciousness flow. You get multiple documents to work in and three different folders, that’s it. Michael Crider/Foundry When it’s time to get your words onto something with more electronic oomph than a Palm Pilot, the easiest way to do so is the Send button. This automatically syncs via Wi-Fi with the Astrohaus Postbox cloud platform, which can also automatically send text documents to Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, and Evernote via connected accounts. This is characteristically clunky — when I connected the service to Google I instantly started getting email alerts because it just sent me an email with the relevant text. But it is incredibly fast and easy, literally one button. Alternately you can scorn any kind of wireless connection altogether, plug the thing directly into a PC, tablet or phone, and simply copy off your words as text files in a simple storage device. The Postbox web interface is also where you can adjust a couple of settings. You can choose between three, three whole font sizes and zero actual fonts, and add a lockscreen for a bit of privacy in case your Traveler gets lost or stolen. You can also change between keyboard layouts (though the physical layout comes in anything you want, so long as you want US-focused ANSI). You can choose between extremely pretentious e-ink screensavers of famous literary figures, (again, shades of Moleskine) or even more Freewrite branding that’s slightly less annoying. Aaaaaand… that’s all. Michael Crider/Foundry The device itself offers barely anything else in terms of customization or tools. The tiny, superfluous strip of a screen beneath the 5.5-inch primary display can show a clock or date, word count, a timer, or simply be left blank. You can move or delete drafts in the three folders. You can connect to new Wi-Fi networks. And that’s about it. We’re taking minimalism to an extreme here — even the obsessively focused Pomera DM250 had at least as much function as, say, a digital organizer from the 1990s. As limiting as I find the Freewrite Traveler, I like it a lot more than the Pomera. The first reason is the one that soured me on the latter without any hope of forgiveness: the keyboard. The Traveler’s keyboard isn’t amazing, but it is solid. Roughly the same as a quality laptop keyboard, though not up to the high standards of, say, a ThinkPad laptop. It’s enough to blow the cramped, non-standard-sized keyboard of the Pomera out of the water.  The Freewrite’s keyboard is a standard 60% layout, and far more comfortable than the cramped, cheap one on the Pomera. Michael Crider/Foundry The typing experience of that device was about the same as a cheap tablet keyboard, whereas the Freewrite feels like something that’s designed with typing in mind. Perhaps the fact that Freewrite’s flagship Smart Typewriter/Hemingwrite device (ugh) uses a standard-sized mechanical keyboard should have clued me into the way this company is far more focused on the experience of typing, not just the functional input of text. And since I’m mentioning that, I’ll say that those who have smaller hands (I’m a 5’10” cis male, for reference) might find the Pomera’s smaller keyboard more forgiving. (Slight aside: the Freewrite Alpha is also worth a mention as a portable design, with a better, fully mechanical keyboard, a lower price… and unfortunately an even smaller screen, though that might be a more functional LCD. It also lacks a hinge, one of the things I wanted for laptop-style typing that I couldn’t accomplish with just a Bluetooth keyboard and a phone or tablet.)  Michael Crider/Foundry You can see this philosophy in another contrast between the devices. The Pomera lets you connect to a phone or tablet over Bluetooth, to effectively turn that gadget into a Bluetooth keyboard. Which is something I never wanted to do, because of the aforementioned poor keyboard quality. The Freewrite Traveler doesn’t have Bluetooth at all, and in fact it goes in the opposite direction. You can plug in any USB-based keyboard into the Traveler’s USB-C port, in case you want to use a better keyboard in this stripped-down, focused interface. The Traveler is about the same width as my ultraportable, 13-inch laptop, but considerably shorter, making it easy to throw in a bag. Michael Crider/Foundry Other design decisions show this commitment to pure writing or drafting. There are no dedicated cursor keys, you can move the cursor with the red “New” keys and WASD. This seems a little awkward at first, but after a few hundred words it becomes second nature to navigate through words, lines, and paragraphs, thanks to smart choices made in how the system handles directions and inputs. Michael Crider/Foundry After a week with the Traveler I’ve already used it far more than the Pomera, mostly because it’s more comfortable. But I have to admit that, despite appreciating the far more capable and even sensible operating system from the Japanese KingJim design, the Freewrite setup is just more conducive to actually getting words down. Even the syncing system, though far less flexible and powerful, is more satisfying — I press a button and my draft appears in Gmail. Freewrite Traveler: An expensive and specialized tool The Pomera DM250 has a better, backlit screen, far more visual options, and it’s less pretentious. But between the keyboard and the singular focus, the Traveler is the better device, at least for me. My techie spendthrift soul cringes at a $550 price tag (thanks, Trump tariffs!) for something so threadbare in terms of actual hardware. But my writer soul says “just shut up and use it, you’re reaching towards 5000 words today and you don’t feel tired at all.” The screen is e-ink with a matte finish, extremely legible, but lacking a backlight for work in the dark.  Michael Crider/Foundry The Freewrite Traveler does everything I wanted the Pomera to do, even if it’s doing a lot less. It’s much smaller and more portable than a laptop, it lasts far longer on a charge, it refuses to offer any distractions, and it’s actually engaging to use as a writing device. This is an expensive tool, even if it makes me feel like an expensive tool for liking it. Michael Crider/Foundry I wish I could rip the keyboard off the Freewrite Traveler and graft it onto the Pomera DM250, and somehow bring its instant Wi-Fi syncing along with it. But until some designer makes that happen, I’ll have to hang with the hipsters. And in the meantime, I’ll sell the Pomera… because neither of these things is anywhere close to a good value. Read...

Gaming on a budget doesn’t mean compromising on quality. Whether you’re a casual player or a dedicated enthusiast, finding the right accessories can make the few hours you get to spend in front of your computer that much better… without emptying your wallet. We’ve dug around and found some of the best gaming accessories under $100 — not only will you get top-notch performance, but you’ll get great value too. Let’s dive into the gear that proves great gaming doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag. Upgrade your mouse Razer One of the main things you need for your gaming setup is a proper mouse. There are so many options out there, but we’re particularly in love with the Razer Basilisk V3 X Hyperspeed. With an 18K optical sensor, nine programmable keys, and Chroma RGB, this one’s speedy, versatile, and gorgeous. The Basilisk V3 is also a solid option with a 26K DPI optical sensor and 11 programmable buttons. If you’re into MMOs, then the Naga V2 may be more up your speed with its 19 buttons and 30K sensor. Buy now at Amazon Elevate your laptop Mukiya If you’re using a gaming laptop, then you’re probably going to get a lot of use from a USB-C laptop docking station stand like this one from Mukiya. Not only will this allow you to choose between nine angles, but it also comes with a super-handy integrated dock that features a 4K HDMI port, two USB-A, one USB-C PD port, one USB-C data port, as well as SD and TF readers. Thus, this thing allows you to add another screen to your setup. Buy now at Amazon Add more screens to your gaming setup Anker If you want a more versatile docking station, this 14-in-1 Anker model is a great option. This thing comes with two 4K HDMI ports and another 1080p VGA port, therefore enabling you to add three displays you can enjoy while gaming. There are also several USB ports, a USB-C PD-in port with 100W max charging power, SD and microSD card slots, and more. There’s even a 1Gbps Ethernet port for stable gaming. Buy now at Amazon Upgrade your audio Creative Let’s be honest — laptops (and monitors) don’t really come with great speakers, so you’re going to need some if you want to properly enjoy the movies you watch and the games you play. For their price, the Creative Pebble Pro speakers are absolute gold. They have a minimalist design, and they come with Bluetooth 5.3 and customizable RGB lighting. Buy now at Amazon Stay in touch with friends Dominic Bayley / IDG If you’re into multiplayer games, then you need to be able to keep in touch with friends. The Turtle Beach Stealth 600 headset is one of our favorites, and it’s perfect not only for PC gaming, working with everything from the Xbox One to the PS5, and even your smartphone. It delivers some 80 hours of battery on a single charge, has a noise-cancelling mic, and it’s super comfy. While its MSRP is usually over $100, you can often get it on sale. Buy now at Amazon Organize your controllers Razer We all love gaming on our consoles, but keeping those controllers charged can be a chore most days. Well, not if you get one of these Razer charging stands that will give you a place to rest your controller while also recharging it. Razer has options for both PS5 and Xbox users and they’re rather affordable (and beautiful). Buy now at Amazon Get a better keyboard Logitech Gaming keyboards are great for players — they’re speedy, comfortable to use, and backlit so you can find the keys even when gaming at night. The Logitech G413 SE, for instance, is a full-sized keyboard that features PBT keycaps that are resistant to both heat and wear and tear. There are also 12 function keys available to control media, toggle lighting, and so on. Buy now at Amazon Elevate your monitor setup HUANUO One of the best things you can do for your gaming setup is get more desk space, and that’s super easy to do once you lift those monitors off it. This Huanuo dual monitor stand features two adjustable arms that make it easy to tilt, swivel, or rotate the monitors however you need them. They are suitable for monitors from 13 to 32 inches, and each arm can hold up to 19.8 pounds. Buy now at Amazon Read...

Beginning on Friday, September 26 of this year, residents in Arizona will lose access to the adult site Pornhub. Earlier this year the Arizona State legislature passed HB2112, which requires “A commercial entity that knowingly and intentionally publishes or distributes material… of which more than one-third is sexual material that is harmful to minors shall use reasonable age verification methods to verify that an individual who attempts to access the material is eighteen years of age or older”—and porn sites (obviously) stand to be affected the most. In anticipation of the law taking affect, Pornhub’s parent company Aylo has already stated that it will begin restricting access to its adult sites for residents in Arizona in protest. Aylo and other privacy advocates claim that these laws not only violate free speech, but will infringe on personal privacy protections. By forcing individuals to hand over personally identifiable information to third parties, it creates the potential for government overreach and data misuse. This is following a trend that has seen more than 23 other states lose access to the incredibly popular NSFW site. Similar bans occurred throughout last year for residents in Texas and Florida, among others. Just this year, residents in Wyoming, Georgia, South Dakota, and North Dakota also lost access due to similar laws in each state. For legal-age Arizonans looking to access the site, this is disruptive to say the least. Fortunately, there’s an easy workaround: using a VPN. Simply download and install your preferred VPN, connect to a server in a state that isn’t blocked, and enjoy the content. Below are my top picks for VPNs to access Pornhub (or other Aylo-owned adult content) if you’re in Arizona where access is blocked. NordVPN – Best overall NordVPN Read our review Best Prices Today: $3.39 at NordVPN (Monthly) NordVPN is my overall top pick for VPNs. It comes with a heap of great features including Double VPN, ad- and tracker-blocking, Dark Web monitoring, plus plenty of domestic U.S. and international servers—with coverage in most states. It also has the fastest connection speeds, meaning you won’t need to stream in a resolution that makes it look like the important bits are blurred on purpose. NordVPN has one of the widest platform support networks as well, so you’ll be able to view unrestricted content on all of your devices. ExpressVPN – Runner-up ExpressVPN Read our review Best Prices Today: $3.49 at ExpressVPN ExpressVPN is a close second to NordVPN, only losing out due to slightly slower speeds and a few less extra features. These are minor issues, though, and ExpressVPN is an absolute class option for all VPN users. In fact, as a result of all of these age-verification laws, ExpressVPN completed a massive U.S. network expansion to include servers in every U.S. state. So you can rest assured you’ll find access to your favorite adult sites as long as there is at least one state without these restrictions. It also consistently has great speeds, meaning you can stream in HD to your heart’s content. Plus, it works with every device and comes with one of the best user-privacy records around. Mullvad – Best for privacy Mullvad Read our review Depending on how seriously you take your privacy, Mullvad might actually be the best VPN option. The service is not only among the top five fastest VPNs, but it’s also the best for privacy hands-down. Mullvad goes out of its way to know as little about you as possible. The service doesn’t ask for an email address or name and you can even mail in a cash payment if you prefer to keep your credit card off record. Plus, it costs a mere $5 per month regardless of the plan you choose. Proton VPN – Best free VPN ProtonVPN Read our review Best Prices Today: $9.99 at Proton VPN While I don’t usually recommend that anyone use a free VPN due to their proven security and privacy risks, Proton VPN is one of the few exceptions. This service from the well-known Swiss-based Proton brand has a spotless track record for user privacy. And incredibly it’s also ad-free. Just like all free VPNs, there are limitations, but thankfully Proton VPN keeps them relatively benign. For no cost whatsoever you’ll get a one-device connection limit and access to five servers located in different countries around the world (including the U.S.). There are no speed or data limitations on these free servers either—something that’s not common with other free VPNs. Just know that with servers in the U.S. you’ll only have access to the server location closest to you and some of these might be in States with age verification laws in place. Still, you have nothing to lose by trying out the free service, and if you like it enough you can always upgrade to the paid version with access to all 11,000+ server locations and top-notch feature set. Read...

Support for Windows 10 is officially coming to an end next month with one final update on October 14th, 2025. Yesterday, Microsoft released a preview version of that cumulative update, which is optional to install but available if you want to get ahead of the curve. Known as update KB5066198, it brings Windows 10 up to Build 19045.6396. This update doesn’t actually contain any new features for Windows 10, which would be more than surprising at this point. Instead, it fixes two bugs that Microsoft was keen to address. From the update’s support document: [SMBv1 protocol connectivity (known issue)] Fixed: An issue where you might not be able to connect to shared files and folders if you’re using the Server Message Block (SMB) v1 protocol on NetBIOS over TCP/IP NetBIOS (NetBT). This can happen after installing update KB5065429. [Autopilot Enrollment Status Page (ESP) (known issue)] Fixed: An issue when using Windows Autopilot to deploy Windows 10, version 22H2 to devices with the Enrollment Status Page (ESP) configured might find that the ESP doesn’t load during the Out-of-Box Experience (OOBE). These are issues that are likely to affect a small number of users. You can obtain update KB5066198 right now via Windows Update or manually from the Microsoft Update Catalog. Windows 10 end of support in sight As mentioned above, this appears to be the final update for Windows 10 that provides any actual changes or bug fixes. After this one, all future updates will be security-related and only available to users who have extended their Windows 10 support via the ESU program. (The ESU program is opt-in only. If you don’t, you’ll stop receiving updates on your Windows 10 PC, which opens you up to risks.) Further reading: This free tool puts you on Windows 10 with extended support until 2032 Read...