Windows 11 version 25H2, the next major feature update for Microsoft’s operating system, started rolling out in waves on September 30. Despite being categorized as an “enablement update,” the scope of the changes is considerable. The basic architecture remains identical to version 24H2, which means there are no new hardware requirements. If you don’t already have Windows 11, or just need a new license, you can grab it for 50 percent off on the PCWorld Software store right now. For all systems that are already running on Windows 11 24H2, the upgrade requires minimal effort. A small enablement package activates the new functions without the need for a complete reinstallation or in-place upgrade. This procedure not only saves time, but also significantly reduces downtime. Devices with older versions such as 23H2 or Windows 10, on the other hand, must go through the classic, more extensive upgrade process. Windows Latest Thanks to the “Shared Servicing Branch”, many new features are already distributed in 24H2, but are deactivated until the Enablement Package activates them. Users benefit from around 40 percent smaller update packages thanks to the combination of servicing stack updates and other cumulative updates, which further shortens the installation time. New start menu with extended control options The revised start menu is one of the most visible changes in 25H2. It shows the pinned apps at the top, a section with recommended content such as recently used documents or programs in the middle and the complete app list below. The latter can be displayed in three modes, as a category view, as a compact grid, or as a classic list. Users can control the scope dynamically using buttons such as “Show all” or “Show less”. New personalization settings allow more pinned apps to be displayed by default or recommendations to be hidden completely. Frequently used and recently installed apps can also be displayed or hidden as desired. Companies benefit from the largely retained basic structure, as adjustments to documentation and training material are minimal. Restrictions still exist. Categories cannot yet be renamed or created, drag & drop currently only works from “All” to “Pinned”, and touch navigation currently lacks support for swipe up gestures. The start menu is supplemented by the option to display system folders such as “Settings” or “Explorer” as fixed icons in the bottom bar, which enables quick access to frequently used functions. Further reading: Windows 11’s new-look Start menu is a huge upgrade. Let’s dive in Direct integration of smartphones via Phone Link With the new start menu integration of “Phone Link”, the connection between PC and smartphone takes center stage even more. Users can exchange files between PC and mobile devices via drag & drop, send images from Explorer directly “to my phone” or retrieve messages and content from the Start menu. The setup requires a Microsoft account for the app, but not for the Windows login. In private households, this simplifies the management of media and documents; in companies, it enables uncomplicated connection of service devices. Content can be synchronized via local networks or even mobile data connections. The implementation is considered to be more stable than in previous pre-release versions, in which Phone Link was often prone to errors. Windows Customizable widgets on the lock screen The lock screen display can be expanded with widgets, including weather, stock market prices, countdown counters or customized information sources. These elements can be customized to keep important data directly in view without unlocking the desktop. A new feature is the “Discover widgets” function, which displays suggestions for other available widgets and simplifies the selection process. For companies, this can be a way of providing employees with status information or appointments, while private users can keep an eye on birthdays or deadlines, for example. Currently, changes only take effect after a restart, which is likely to be optimized in the final version. Optimized energy management and performance diagnostics A new mechanism for throttling the CPU during idle phases reduces power consumption and extends battery life, which particularly affects mobile work devices and notebooks. In addition, Windows automatically records diagnostic data when the system reacts slowly. These logs can be sent to Microsoft via the feedback hub in order to identify the causes of performance problems more quickly. For the user, these are stored locally in the system under “%systemRoot%\Temp\DiagOutputDir\Whesvc” and are only transmitted when feedback is active. Extensions in the file explorer and in the search The File Explorer displays person icons in the “Recommended” area under the “Activity” column to make it easier to recognise who has recently worked on a file, but only when using a business or school account. In the search options, the direct link to the Bing search history has been removed; instead, access is centralised via the data protection dashboard. This change reduces redundant menu items and bundles data protection controls in one place. Higher quality system drivers through CodeQL analysis Higher quality standards will apply to driver signing in the future. Every kernel-mode driver (except graphics drivers) must pass a CodeQL scan before WHCP certification. This analysis uncovers potential errors or security gaps at an early stage and forces manufacturers to rectify them before the driver is released for Windows. This means more stable systems for OEM manufacturers and companies and a lower crash and incompatibility rate for private users. AI-supported functions and Copilot optimizations New functions are activated on devices with NPU, the so-called Copilot PCs. These include image descriptions for screen readers, live subtitles with translation options (currently still with crash problems), and intelligent text actions in “Click to Do”. The latter enables context-dependent processing of text content, such as recognizing and automatically processing certain entries. In addition, the search field in the top bar of “Click to Do” has been removed to simplify the interface. Users report long waiting times when using the app for the first time after model or build updates, which must be taken into account in corporate environments during rollouts. A new addition is the option to enter your own words in the Windows dictionary, which offers clear benefits for both private writers and companies with industry-specific vocabulary. Quick Machine Recovery and gamepad control of the on-screen keyboard With version 25H2, Windows 11 will receive an extended self-repair function, which will be introduced under the name “Quick Machine Recovery”. It builds on the Windows Recovery Environment, but extends it with the ability to automatically obtain updates or repair scripts from the Internet to resolve boot problems. If the system recognizes repeated boot errors, it automatically switches to the recovery environment, establishes a network connection and searches for suitable corrections via Windows Update. Administrators can specify whether this process should take place completely without user intervention. Activation is possible both locally, for example via configuration using Reagentc and XML files, and centrally via Intune policies. Parameters for waiting time, restart intervals and even WLAN login data can be predefined so that devices without a LAN connection can also be integrated. In Home editions, cloud-supported repair will be active by default in the future; in Pro and Enterprise environments, it must be specifically enabled. After a successful repair, Windows restarts automatically; if the repair is unsuccessful, the cycle is repeated according to the defined specifications. Thanks to this automation, Quick Machine Recovery reduces the administration effort and significantly shortens downtimes in both company networks and private installations. Thomas Joos New data protection dialogues and administrator protection 25H2 comes with revised data protection dialogues that offer more transparency when applications access data and system functions. An additional protection mechanism has been introduced for administrators, which makes unauthorized changes to the system more difficult and provides greater protection for security-critical actions. This gives companies an additional layer of security without having to resort to third-party solutions. Thomas Joos Further functional improvements and known problems Taskbar scaling adapts better to different display sizes and DPI settings. Context menus in Explorer have been optimized, new sharing options have been added, and Voice Access has been further developed. Support for Chinese and Japanese has been expanded, and in the settings under “Privacy and security” you can now see which applications are accessing Windows generative AI models. In current builds, this display is already visible in the user interface, but the full functionality will only be activated in a later update. Further adjustments relate to the toolbox, which has been improved in terms of its operation and integration. Microsoft has also fixed several bugs, such as truncated content in the notification center when the clock display is activated or a problem with dbgcore.dll, which could cause explorer.exe and other applications to crash. Known problems still exist, however: the Xbox controller can trigger a bug check on some systems when connected via Bluetooth. The Microsoft Changjie input method currently works incorrectly, which can be avoided by resetting to the previous IME version. In addition, Windows 11 25H2 supports touch keyboard control with a gamepad for the first time. This function, originally planned for 24H2, allows the on-screen keyboard to be operated without a mouse or touchscreen, which can be relevant in special application scenarios, such as on console-based workstations or for accessibility adaptations. Update strategy, insider options and rollback Microsoft emphasizes stability in 25H2. Many functions are already included in 24H2 and are only activated with the Enablement Package. For private users, this means a smooth upgrade without long installation times; for companies, it means the option to test only the new functions instead of recertifying the entire system environment. The update follows the shared servicing branch approach, which has also been used for previous upgrades, for example from 22H2 to 23H2. Mark Hachman After the official release, Microsoft offers a time window to leave the Windows Insider program and receive regular updates again. It’s also possible to completely reset 25H2 to 24H2 by uninstalling the Enablement Package without reinstalling the operating system; all 25H2 functions will then be deactivated immediately. Read...

At a glanceExpert`s Rating Pros Works without Wi-Fi or wired power Affordable data plans starting at $5/month Solar-backed rechargeable battery 360-degree pan/tilt plus zoom for wide coverage Cons Limited live session views Photo-first design won’t suit everyone Live view sessions take several seconds to activate Night vision clarity is basic Our Verdict A practical, affordable option for keeping tabs on remote property, so long as you’re comfortable with its photo-first approach to home security. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Best Prices Today: Tactacam Defend 360 Retailer Price Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Best Prices Today: Check today’s prices Keeping an eye on vacation and other remote properties has always been a challenge. They often sit outside the reach of both Wi-Fi coverage and electrical power, leaving them uncovered by traditional security cameras. Tactacam, best known for its hunting and action cameras, is stepping into that gap with the Defend 360. It’s a solar-powered, LTE-connected camera built to operate where standard systems can’t, offering broad coverage and remote access in a single, self-contained unit. At $199.99, plus an mandatory subscription for connectivity, it aims to bring off-grid security within reach of everyday users. Design and features The dome-style Defend 360 is built for the outdoors. Its housing is weather-resistant, with an IP65 rating indicating it’s dustproof and protected against water projected in jets from any direction. (You can read more about IP codes at the preceding link.) Power comes from a combination of a 10,000mAh rechargeable battery and an integrated solar panel that keeps it perpetually charged to eliminate the hassle of extension cords or periodic battery swaps. The Tactacam Defend 360 connects to the internet via an LTE connection, which makes it well-suited to remote locations where Wi-Fi isn’t available. The camera’s core features are all geared toward use at a remote location. You get a full 360-degree pan-tilt-zoom to cover wide areas, 1080p video resolution with 4K photo capture, and motion alerts to flag activity. The camera connects to the internet via its LTE radio and automatically locks onto the strongest available carrier. A SIM is pre-installed, so you don’t have to deal with activation headaches or track down a card–and carrier–yourself. The Defend 360 includes a solar panel you can attach directly to the camera or next to it. Michael Ansaldo/Foundry Because the Defend 360 relies on LTE rather than Wi-Fi, you’ll need a data plan to transmit photos and live video between the camera and your phone. Tactacam manages these plans directly through its app and web portal, so you don’t need to set up service with a carrier yourself. Service plans are tiered. The Starter Plan begins at $5 per month ($55/year) and includes 250 photo notifications and three live viewing sessions per month, with 60 days of storage in the cloud. The Pro Plan costs $13 per month ($120/year) and unlocks unlimited photo notifications and five live viewing sessions per month. The Premium Plan runs $19 per month ($175/year) and adds expanded compatibility across cameras. There’s also a $9-per-month Plus add-on that enables unlimited remote downloads and on-demand access with a full year of cloud storage across all cameras on the account. Setup and performance The camera works with both Tactacam’s Defend app and its Reveal app, giving you flexibility if you already own Tactacam gear. This was my first time using a Tacatacam camera so I went with the Defend app. The first thing you must do is create an account and select a subscription plan through the camera system’s web portal. Next, you’ll log into the mobile app using that same account info to begin the pairing process. During this app-guided setup, the camera connects to whichever carrier offers the strongest signal in the area. The camera’s power switch and charging port are protected from the elements behind a rubber tab. Michael Ansaldo/Foundry To install the camera, you need to attach the mounting bracket to a wall or post with the included hardware. The camera twists into the bracket and locks in place, and the antenna screws onto its side. The solar panel can be mounted directly to the camera or separately on a nearby surface for better sun exposure. Tactacam recommends aiming the panel south at a 30–40 degree angle for optimal exposure. Once the panel is connected with its short cable, the system is ready to run on renewable power. The Tactacam Defend 360 works a little differently than the Wi-Fi cameras most people are familiar with. Instead of streaming video for every motion event, it primarily delivers still photos when it detects activity. This approach uses far less data and battery, which is important in remote areas with sketchy coverage. You can request higher-resolution stills or start a live view session in 1080p resolution when you need a closer look, but those count against your monthly plan unless you’ve paid for the unlimited Plus add-on. The camera can also send low-resolution check-in pictures at regular intervals, giving you both a status update and a snapshot of what it sees without burning through data. This monitoring approach is reflected in the app design, On the home screen, you see the most recent still photo (or a check-in image) rather than a live feed. If you want real-time video, you tap into a live view session, which activates on demand. Each time you do, the system needs several seconds to “wake up” the camera, establish the LTE link, and start the feed. The app shows this step-by-step—waking up, getting ready, connecting—before the video appears. Once live, you can pan and tilt with on-screen arrows, zoom in, snap stills, or toggle audio. You’ll also find real-time camera status info here, including battery level, available storage, and signal strength. There are also options for modifying video length, motion detection sensitivity and scheduling, and check-in frequency. The Defend app displays the latest captured event or check-in photo while live video is on demand and limited to a certain number of live view sessions as determined by your service plan. Michael Ansaldo/Foundry Video isn’t the Defend 360’s primary focus—it’s there as a supplement when you need eyes on something in real time. The 1080p stream, which is standard for cellular cameras, is clear enough to confirm whether it’s a deer in the yard or a truck pulling into the drive, and the 360-degree pan/tilt gives you broad coverage that fixed cameras can’t match. You won’t get cinematic detail, and night vision is the usual grainy, black-and-white infrared, but both are adequate for spot checks. If you’re running more than one Defend 360—or mixing it with other Tactacam models—the app has a handy site-management feature. It lets you group cameras by location, so you can monitor a cabin, farm, or job site at a glance. Each site shows the latest check-in photos and status for every camera tied to it, making it easier to keep track of multiple units without jumping between screens. Should you buy the Tactacam Defend 360 Cellular Security Camera? At $199.99, plus a $5/month starter plan, the Defend 360 sits in the same price bracket as other cellular cameras like the Arlo Go 2 and eufy 4G LTE Cam S330. The difference comes after purchase: Tactacam’s service plans start lower and are managed entirely in its own app, while competitors typically tack on steeper monthly fees and tie you to a particular carrier. That likely makes the Defend 360 cheaper to operate over time, especially if you’re running multiple units. Where you’ll feel the trade-offs is in how it works. The Defend 360 leans on event-triggered still photos and check-ins, with live video available only when you request it. That design keeps data and power use low, which is exactly what you need in places Wi-Fi cameras can’t go. On the flipside, it can leave you feeling restricted if you’re used to continuous video streaming. If your priority is simple, dependable coverage for a cabin, farm, or job site, the Defend 360 makes a lot of sense. If you expect the kind of seamless video experience you’d get from a Wi-Fi camera, you’ll be frustrated by its limitations. This review is part of TechHive’s in-depth coverage of the best home security cameras. Read...

Gaming laptops can get pretty expensive, but what if I said you could get a brand-new RTX 50-series laptop from a reputable brand for well under $1,000? Like, almost budget-tier pricing. Well, right now you can snag this Acer Nitro V 16 AI for just $699 at Walmart. Yup, that isn’t a typo. Normally $899, Walmart has it with a $200 discount online. Acer’s Nitro V line of gaming laptops is one of our favorites for price-friendly machines, and the 16 AI (model ANV16-42-R309) is a step up. Equipped with an AMD Ryzen 5 240 processor, 16GB of fast DDR5 RAM, and a fast 512GB PCIe 4.0 SSD, this is several levels better than most laptops in this range. It’s a smooth experience with Windows 11, able to juggle dozens of apps and Chrome tabs without breaking a sweat, making it perfect for work, study, and leisure. And, of course, gaming. The Nitro V 16 AI comes with a brand-spanking-new RTX 5050 graphics card that unlocks all the latest Nvidia gaming features, including DLSS 4. You’ll love it on this laptop’s 16-inch color-accurate IPS screen with crisp 1920×1200 resolution and speedy 180Hz refresh rate for those high-frame-rate games. Seriously, an RTX 5050 is a crazy inclusion on any $699 laptop. It’s all rounded out with a cutting-edge USB4 port, a full-sized HDMI port, three fast USB-A ports, an Ethernet port, a full-sized keyboard with numpad, Copilot key, and backlighting. The 76-watt-hour battery is good for about 6 hours of real usage, though it isn’t the most portable at nearly an inch thick and just over 5 pounds in weight. The Acer Nitro V 16 AI is a steal for $699, so grab it via Walmart before this insane deal expires. At this price, it even beats out some of our favorite gaming laptops under $1,000! This Ryzen-powered RTX 5050 laptop is downright crazy for $699Buy now on Walmart.com Read...

Anyone following the recent chatter about Google’s latest Nest cameras won’t be surprised by the company’s unveiling today of its revamped, first-party offerings: one outdoor Nest camera, one indoor cam, and a video doorbell, just as predicted.  What was surprising was news is that Google is turning to a frequent collaborator—Walmart—to offer a pair of additional budget-priced security cameras that will be “deeply integrated” into Google’s new Gemini for Home ecosystem, complete with bells and whistles such as AI video descriptions and zoomed-in notification previews.  Walmart has developed an indoor security camera and a video doorbell that will be marketed under the retailer’s Onn brand.Walmart But first, let’s cover Google’s new first party cameras, all of which had been previously leaked: the second-generation Nest Outdoor Camera ($149.99), the third-gen Nest Indoor Camera ($99.99), and the second-gen Nest Doorbell ($179.99).  The new Nest Cam trio consists only of wired models, with Google Nest and Home head Anish Kattukaran explaining that the “steady stream of video” from the always-on wired cams fits nicely with Gemini for Home’s ability to synthesize video footage and other smart home signals into its daily “home digest” summaries. (Kattukaran emphasized that Google is “still very excited” about battery-powered security cameras, even if none are being announced today.)  All three cameras boast 2K HDR video resolution, up from 1080p on the previous models. The new Nest Outdoor Camera and Nest Indoor Camera will both offer a 152-degree field of view, expanded from 130 and 135 degrees respectively, while the revamped Nest Doorbell gets a 166-degree FOV with a 1:1 aspect ratio that will capture visitors from head to toe.  The 3rd-gen wired Nest Cam Indoor will also be available in Berry to match the new Google Home Speaker.Google Also new are zoomed-in previews—that is, image previews attached to mobile notifications that are zoomed in on the activity that triggered the mobile alert. You’ll also be able to zoom and crop video events in the Google Home app.  Now for the curve ball: two additional cameras, each of which come from Walmart’s Onn brand, known for its well-regarded line of Google TV-powered streaming video players.  Two Google Home-compatible security cameras from Onn are on tap: the Indoor Camera Wired for $22.96, and the Video Doorbell Wired for $49.86. Both cameras will boast 1080p video quality. Both are pictured above. The 3rd-gen Nest Doorbell Wired in its familiar Linen finish.Google Few other details about the two Walmart cams were given during Google’s pre-brief, but Kattukaran noted that the cameras will be “deeply integrated” into Gemini for Home, including the “full experience” and “all of those camera improvements” slated for the new Nest cameras.   Nice, but keep in mind that the best new Google security camera features require Nest Aware—er, Google Home Premium, the new name for Google’s smart home subscription service.   The 2nd-generation Nest Cam Outdoor, shown here in its Hazel finish, will look familiar to Nest aficionados. Google The zoomed-in previews, for example, are included in the Standard tier of Google Home Premium, which gives you 30 days of video history for all your cameras, plus other features for $10 a month. For 60 days of video history along with Gemini’s AI video descriptions and daily smart home briefings, you must sign up for the Advanced version of Google Home Premium for $20 a month. (We have more details about the new Google Home Premium plans here.) That said, Google is getting more generous with video history for those who don’t pay up for a Google Home Premium plan.  Moving forward, free Google Home camera users will get six hours of video event history (up from three hours), with a 10-second video clip added to each event.  This news story is part of TechHive’s in-depth coverage of the best security cameras. Also, be sure to check our complete coverage of Google’s Gemini for Home rollout, including details on the new Google Home Speaker and new Google Home Premium subscription plans. Read...

“Hey Google, set bedroom lamp to 50 percent.” Such stilted voice commands have been the stuff of smart home for years, but with Gemini for Home, Google is promising a smart home you can have an actual conversation with.  That idea—of a smart home that understands the big picture and can act with context in mind—underpins Google’s ambitious Gemini for Home plans, which it’s rolling out today following months of slow buildup.  The Gemini voice assistant is just one part of Google’s Gemini for Home pitch. There’s also new hardware, including a refreshed lineup of security cameras and an all-new smart speaker, along with a faster, streamlined Google Home app (more on the app in a moment) and a rebranded subscription plan (say goodbye to Nest Aware).  Gemini promises to make home automations much easier to create.Google During a briefing prior to its big Gemini for Home reveal, Anish Kattukaran, director of product management for Google Home and Nest, painted the picture of a Gemini-powered smart home that can truly see and hear what’s going on in your household, as well as understand your intentions when you give it commands.  Of course, the proof’s in the pudding, and as Kattukaran himself emphasized, Gemini’s performance needs to be as reliable as that of its predecessor, Google Assistant (which has had its own reliability hiccups over the past several months). As anyone who’s ever fallen victim to a ChatGPT hallucination knows, asking an LLM to perform a task repeatedly and in a predictable manner is no small feat.  That’s why Google is plotting a slow phase-in for Gemini at Home, with an early access period beginning this month. Most existing Google smart speakers, displays, and security cameras will work with Gemini for Home, with the freewheeling Google Live chat mode (which lets you have lengthy back-and-forths with Gemini without the need for the “Hey Google” wake word) restricted to the Google Nest Hub, the Nest Hub Max, and the new Google Home Speaker.  Screenshots from the new Google Home app.Google Of course, Google isn’t alone in its AI ambitions for the smart home. Amazon just revealed its own line of revamped Echo smart speakers and smart displays powered by Alexa+ (which has been in an early access mode for the past several months), while Apple is expected to eventually roll out new HomePod smart speakers powered by a AI-enhanced Siri (which has been delayed to next year, at the earliest).   We’ve already seen some of Gemini’s abilities in the smart home, including its ability to describe the action in video clips captured by Nest security cameras. But with help from the new Google Home app, Gemini will gain new abilities, such as delivering a “home brief” that summarizes the past 24 hours of your Nest video history.  You’ll also be able to ask Gemini questions about your home (such as “Is the front door locked?” or “What time did the kids come home”) or ask it to draft smart automations on the fly, using natural language (“At night, if the house is empty, make it look like someone’s home”), Kattukaran said.   Underpinning Gemini for Home is the new Google Home app, which—among other features—will boast 70-percent faster startup times, as well as 80-percent fewer crashes and better memory and battery optimization, according to Kattukaran.  A streamlined three-tabbed interface (Home, Activity, and Automations) lets you jump from device controls, activity feeds, and smart routines, along with one-handed gestures that let you swipe between broad device categories. The new Nest cameras can attach names to familiar faces and describe what they’re doing in front of the camera.Google The new app promises faster scrubbing of camera videos, as well as the YouTube-style ability to double-tap one side of a video thumbnail or the other to jump forward or backward in the clip.  In another change, the Google Home activity feed will include entries from connected third-party smart devices, not just Google’s own first-party cameras and gadgets.   “This [Activity] tab will now become the canonical history of your entire home,” Kattukaran said. “Anything that happens in your home that’s connected into your [Google Home] ecosystem, you see the whole history right here now.”  Sitting at the top of the new Google Home app is a Gemini-powered “Ask Home” chat box that lets you ask questions about or issue commands to your smart home, anything from “What happened today” or “Who ate the plants” to “Create an automation” or “Turn on the living room TV.”  Naturally, Gemini’s best smart home features, such as the home brief and AI notifications, will be locked behind a paywall, with Google Home Premium replacing the former Nest Aware subscription plans.   Gemini will still perform basic smart home duties (such as those once handled by Google Assistant, which is being phased out in favor of Gemini) for free.  This news story is part of TechHive’s in-depth coverage of the best smart speakers. Also, be sure to check our complete coverage of Google’s Gemini for Home rollout, including details on the new Google Home Speaker, new Nest Cams, and new Google Home Premium subscription plans. Read...

Weeks after sneaking it into a product demo and teasing it on social media, Google has finally taken the wraps off its first new smart speaker in five years, but we’ll have to wait a little longer before we can get our hands on one.  The $99 Google Home Speaker—yes, Google dropped the “Nest” branding for the new device—has been built for Gemini, Google says, and it boasts features like 360-degree audio and the ability to pair with the Google TV Streamer.   But unlike Google’s new Nest security cameras (Google is sticking with the “Nest” moniker for its smart cams, at least for now), which are available for purchase now, the Google Home Speaker won’t go on sale until spring 2026.  That delay is a “very deliberate and intentional choice” that will give Google time to roll out and “perfect” Gemini for Home on its existing smart speakers and displays, said Anish Kattukaran, director of product management for Google Home and Nest.  The Google Home Speaker in Porcelain (the shot up top is the speaker in Berry). Note the light ring at the bottom of the speaker.Google Wrapped in “eco-friendly” 3D-knit yarn and available in four colors (hazel, porcelain, berry, and jade), the Google Home Speaker arrives with an Alexa-style light right encircling its base, good for offering “expressive visual feedback of what Gemini is doing at any given moment,” including whether it’s listening, processing a voice command, or entering into the conversational Gemini Live mode.  Inside, the speaker packs a custom processor that will “handle a lot of Gemini’s advanced AI,” including Gemini Live, Kattukaran said, while audio processing will help Gemini hear better by cutting down on background noise, reverb, and echos.  Speaking of audio, the Google Home Speaker will support 360-degree audio, good for spreading sound around the room, and you’ll also be able to pair two of the speakers together for stereo sound, similar to what’s possible with Google’s older Nest Mini and Nest Audio speakers.  Besides creating stereo pairs, you’ll also be able to connect one or more Google Home Speakers with the Google TV Streamer. That means you could use two of the speakers for outputting the left and right audio channels from Google’s streaming video player, just as you can use Apple’s HomePod speakers to output sound from an Apple TV 4K.  From this Google-supplied phot of the bottom of the Google Home Speaker, it appears it will have a fixed cable.Google One detail left unsaid about the Google Home Speaker during the company’s pre-brief session was its home hub capabilities, including whether the speaker will act as a Thread border router for Matter devices. We’ve reached out to Google for more information.  Asked when Google might finally reveal a new smart display—the last one was 2022’s second-generation Google Nest Hub—Kattukaran declined to offer a timeline, but said the company remains “deeply committed to that category and we will have more to share next year.”  This news story is part of TechHive’s in-depth coverage of the best smart speakers. Also, be sure to check our complete coverage of Google’s Gemini for Home rollout, including details on new Nest Cams and the new Google Home Premium subscription plans. Read...

Lots of change is coming to Google Home in the coming weeks, from the replacement of Google Assistant with Gemini for Home to an overhaul of its smart home subscription service, complete with a new name.  Google is rebranding its Nest Aware plans as Google Home Premium, adding a bevy of Gemini-powered features to the service’s two tiers (Standard and Advanced), but it’s not chaning the prices for those tiers. So yes, the Google Home Premium reboot doesn’t include any price hikes, but that shouldn’t come as a surprise, given that Google just boosted the price of its former Nest Aware tiers back in July—perhaps in anticipation of the coming changes.  In any event, here’s the lowdown on what each Google Home Premium tier includes, starting with the least expensive plan.  Standard ($10 a month, also included in Google AI Pro)  30 days of video history for all your cameras: Same as the old Nest Aware Plus plan, Google Home Premium Standard will store 30 days of video events in the cloud.  Intelligent alerts: Another layer of benefits similar to Nest Aware, the Standard tier of Google Home Premium includes alerts for pre-enrolled “familiar faces,” garage door open/closed alerts, smoke and carbon monoxide alarm detection, and package alerts. New to the mix are mobile notifications with zoomed-in image previews that focus on the activity that triggered the alert.  Gemini for Home: As Google has long promised, Google Assistant is being replaced by a “new experience” powered by Gemini, and Gemini for Home is that new experience. While Gemini can still control your smart home the way Google Assistant did (“Hey Google, turn on office light 5”), it also promises more a more fluid conversational style as well as the ability to understand the context and intent of your commands, meaning (theoretically) you can say things like “Hey Google, it’s too dark in here,” and Gemini will know a) where you are and b) intuit that you want the lights in that room turned up brighter.  Gemini Live: A more freewheeling conversational mode that you can invoke on a Google Nest Hub tablet or the new Google Home Speaker, Gemini Live lets you hold free-flowing back-and-forth chats with Gemini without having to say the “Hey Google” hot word.   Natural-language automation: Thanks to Gemini’s AI smarts, Google Home can create automations using natural-language prompts. For example, you could say something like “Hey Google, when nobody’s home, turn all the lights off,” and Gemini will create the automation without the need for stepping through automation menus or wizards.  What you can do with Google Home and Gemini depends on how much you’re willing to pay for a subscription.Google Advanced ($20 a month, also included in Google AI Ultra)  The equivalent of the old Nest Aware Plus plan, Google Home Premium Advanced includes all the features in the Standard tier, plus… 60 days of event video history for all your cameras: Again, this is the same benefit as Nest Aware Plus users got, and it also includes up to 10 days of 24/7 video recording.  AI descriptions and alerts: Rather than just getting video descriptions and event notifications that read “Motion detected downstairs,” Gemini will describe the activity captured in the video event: “A person wearing a red jacket was working in the garden.”  “Ask Home” for video history: You’ll be able to quiz your smart home about recent activity using natural-language queries typed into the “Ask Home” search box, such as “Who ate the plants?” or “What time did the kids come home?”  Home Brief: A Gemini-composed overview that summarizes the key events of the past 24 hours.  What you get without a paid Google Home Premium subscription  You can still use the Google Home app and Google’s various Nest cams, speakers, and displays, but doing so means giving up on Gemini’s more advanced features. In short, the free tier of Google Home doesn’t include Gemini’s natural-language descriptions, summaries, or conversational features.   What Gemini will do is mimic the same smart home features that Google Assistant performed, including basic device control (“Hey Google, set kitchen lights to 30 percent”) and music playback (“Hey Google, play Taylor Swift in living room”).  You’ll also get six hours of video history on your Nest cameras, up from the previous limit of three hours. (That’s not much, but at least it’s better than the zero hours of video history you’ll get from Ring without a paid Ring Protect plan.)  In a briefing, Google Home and Nest boss Anish Kattukaran stressed that free-tier users won’t lose any functionality once the transition from Google Assistant to Gemini for Home is complete.  “All of the same stuff that you could do [with] the Assistant as far as actions … turning on your lights, playing your music, that’s in Gemini, and that’s in the free tier,” Kattukaran said.  This news story is part of TechHive’s in-depth coverage of the best security cameras. Also, be sure to check our complete coverage of Google’s Gemini for Home rollout, including details on the new Google Home Speaker and new Nest Cams. Read...

One of the easiest ways to enhance your PC experience is to get a better monitor. It doesn’t require any upgrades for your desktop or laptop, and it shines up the primary way you interact with almost everything: the visuals. The year’s second Prime Day event is closing in on us, kicking off on October 7th and lasting for 48 hours until midnight Pacific on October 8th. Already, there are plenty of deals to be found on the best and most affordable displays. (Here’s how to get Amazon Prime for free so you can get in on the deep, deep discounts.) With U.S. tariffs affecting prices, to say nothing of general consumer trends, it might not be the smorgasbord of discounts we saw in previous years. But there are still savings to be had, on OLED monitors, gaming monitors, and standard office designs — and I’ve hunted down the best monitor deals in the list below. Even though the main focus is on Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days, some of the best discounts can be found elsewhere on the web, so I’ve included those in the list as well. Best early October Prime Day deals on OLED monitors Samsung Odyssey OLED G93SC 49-inch, 5120×1440, 240Hz OLED gaming monitor — $879.99 ($720 off at Amazon) LG UltraGear OLED 34-inch 1440p 240Hz OLED gaming monitor — $917 ($383 off at Amazon) ASRock 27-inch 1440p 240Hz OLED gaming monitor — $549.99 ($96.99 off at Newegg) Alienware 26.7-inch 1440p 360Hz OLED gaming monitor — $571.00 ($329 off at Amazon) OLED monitors are the cream of the crop for gamers, thanks to incredible color vibrance and contrast, even if they’re not the absolute fastest on the market right now. For my money, Samsung has the best deal at the moment…but then I’m an ultrawide fanboy and I love that gigantic 49-inch format. If you’re looking for an OLED upgrade at the lowest price, ASRock is leading the pack with a rare 27-inch pick under the $550 mark. Best early October Prime Day deals on gaming monitors KTC 24-inch 1080p 165Hz gaming monitor — $93.99 ($46 off at Newegg) ASRock 27-inch 1080p 240Hz gaming monitor — $114.99 ($75 off at Newegg) LG 27-inch 1440p 144Hz gaming monitor — $259.99 ($40 off at Amazon) LG 27-inch, IPS 1440p, 240Hz gaming monitor — $347.99 ($152 off at Amazon) For more affordable options for gamers, ASRock once again delivers with a 27-inch, 1080p display at just a hair over a hundred bucks. But I’d say that Gigabyte is giving the best bang for your buck with its 28-inch 4K option. Not only is it using an IPS panel for greater color accuracy, it’s packing a USB-C port for flexible video. It’s a great, affordable centerpiece to a setup that works for both, well, work and gaming. Early October Prime Day deals on office monitors Acer 27-inch 1080p IPS 120Hz monitor — $109.99 ($40 off at Best Buy) Dell 27-inch 1440p IPS monitor — $179.99 ($40 off at Amazon) Samsung 34-inch 1440p ultrawide monitor — $219.99 ($110 off at Amazon) MNN 15-inch portable USB-C monitor — $61.99 ($27.99 off at Amazon) I can personally recommend Dell’s 27-inch, 1440p IPS monitors, because I’ve been using them for years on either side of my ultrawide center display. It’s a perfect way to expand your desk space, but unless you need some gaming-grade speed, it works great as a primary display too. For laptop users, there’s no easier way to expand your mobile capabilities than with a USB monitor (especially since they now include power and video). And there are a bunch of affordable options now, too. Other great early October Prime Day deals These aren’t the only October Prime Day deals being tracked by the PCWorld team. If you’re looking to supercharge your home setup with the juiciest tech sales, hit the links for only the best expert-curated picks we’ve found. Best early Amazon October Prime Day tech deals: Great sales chosen by experts Best early October Prime Day laptop deals: Gaming notebooks, 2-in-1s, and more Best early October Prime Day deals on SSDs and storage Best early USB flash drive deals for October Prime Day Best early October Prime Day deals on Thunderbolt docks and USB-C hubs Best early October Prime Day mini PC deals: Big savings on tiny computers Best early October Prime Day deals on battery chargers and power banks Best early October Prime Day deals on Chromebooks Best early October Prime Day deals on office chairs and standing desks Best early October Prime Day PC computer deals FAQ 1. What size of monitor should I buy? Monitor size depends on personal preference and location.  A 24-inch monitor is fine for a desk that is around 24 inches deep, or less. Its small size will still be sufficient because the monitor is closer to you. Most people, however, will want to go with a 27-inch monitor. The added size will make the monitor easy to see. This also opens up a wider range of 4K monitor options, as 4K is very rare on a 24-inch monitor. Larger monitors, such as a 32-inch widescreen or 34-inch ultrawide, are great for deep desks and people who want an immersive experience. Monitors this large can serve as a TV replacement in a small room.  Displays of even larger size, such as 42-inch or 48-inch HDTVs, are best for home theater setups or an unusually large office. You’ll want to sit four to six feet away from a display of this size. 2. What display input is best? (HDMI vs. DisplayPort vs. USB-C) USB-C is the best display input for most people. It works by bundling DisplayPort into USB-C, so offers all the same features as DisplayPort. Yet it retains the features of USB-C including optional support for Power Delivery to charge external devices. This is why we recommend a USB-C monitor for most people. DisplayPort is generally second-best. It supports higher resolutions and refresh rates than HDMI. This input is particularly common on desktop computers.  HDMI comes in third due to lower resolution and refresh rate support. This is improved by HDMI 2.1, but this feature remains hard to find and often adds to a monitor’s price. All three of the options above handle 1080p at 60Hz, which is the most common resolution and refresh rate available today. It’s also important to buy a monitor that has an input compatible with your PC. 3. Are all monitors compatible with Windows and MacOS? Modern monitors are compatible with all recent versions of Windows and MacOS. They’re plug-and-play, which means the monitor should display an image without the need to install driver software or mess with Windows or MacOS settings. 4. Are tariffs affecting monitor prices? Yes. Deals for monitors around this sale aren’t as good as they were during Amazon’s last big sale in October, particularly for the largest, most expensive models. That said, we have managed to avoid the complete shutdown of imported stock that seemed likely during the most tumultuous back-and-forth tariff negotiations…so that’s something. Prices are unlikely to improve later in the year, so if you find a delectable deal on a monitor you’re interested in, October Prime Day may be one of your best bets of the year. Especially if you buy on day one of the event — President Trump says additional reciprocal tariffs will return on November 10, and could plunge prices into chaos. Read...

Amazon’s October Prime Big Deal Days 2025 sales event is right around the corner and there are already tons of great deals on desktop PCs available. This year’s event runs October 7-8 and will include solid discounts on everything from gaming PCs to all-in-ones to traditional mainstream desktop computers. You’ll need to be a Prime member to take advantage of Amazon’s steep discounts. If you aren’t a member already, check out our guide for how to get Amazon Prime for free. I’ve been tracking and writing about the best computer deals year-round for a long time now, and at PCWorld I’ve used this knowledge to curate a list of the best available computer deals across the internet specifically for this October Prime Day. Other retailers have jumped in on the action, and some of the best desktop PC deals can even be found outside of Amazon, so I’ve included those deals too. Best early October Prime Day deals on gaming desktop computers LXZ Gaming PC, Ryzen 7 8700F/RX 7650 GRE/32GB RAM/1TB SSD, $899.99 (10% off on Amazon) Alienware Aurora, Core Ultra 7 265F/RTX 5070/32GB RAM/1TB SSD, $1,549.99 (24% off on Dell) Skytech Azure, Ryzen 7 5700/RTX 5060/32GB RAM/1TB SSD, $999.99 (12% off on Amazon) Omen 45L, Core Ultra 7 265K/RTX 5080/32GB RAM/2TB SSD, $2,299.00 (15% off on Amazon) Alienware Aurora, Core Ultra 9 285K/RTX 5080/32GB RAM/2TB SSD, $2,699.99 (16% off on Dell) Acer Nitro 60, Ryzen 9 7900/RTX 5070/32GB RAM/1TB SSD, $1,499.99 (25% off on BestBuy) Omen 35L, Ryzen 5 8500G/RTX 5060/16GB RAM/512GB SSD, $1,064.99 (21% off on HP) My top picks: The LXZ Gaming PC for $100 off on Amazon is the budget deal of the week so far. With a Ryzen 7 8700F CPU and RX 7650 GRE GPU it’ll deliver solid frame rates at 1080p for most games and the inclusion of 1TB of onboard storage means you’ll have plenty of space to load it up with your game library. Another killer deal right now is the Alienware Aurora for $500 off on Dell. Not only does it come with the latest gen Core Ultra 7 265F CPU, but also sports an RTX 5070. For this price it’s hard to go wrong and those in the market for a strong midrange gaming PC should look no further. Best early October Prime Day deals on mini-PCs GMKtec M7, Ryzen 7 6850H/32GB RAM/512GB SSD, $369.99 (24% off on Amazon) Apple Mac Mini 2024, M4/16GB RAM/256GB SSD, $499.00 (17% off on Amazon) AceMagician K1 Mini PC, Ryzen 7 5700U/16GB RAM/512GB SSD, $279.00 (30% off on Amazon) AceMagic Vista Mini N1, Alder Lake-N N97/16GB RAM/512GB SSD, $174.99 (33% off on Amazon) Beelink EQR5, Ryzen 5 5650U/32GB RAM/1TB SSD, $279.00 (28% off on Amazon) Beelink SER5 MAX, Ryzen 7 6800H/32GB RAM/500GB SSD, $308.99 (23% off on Amazon) My top picks: Amazon is offering the GMKtec M7 mini-PC for $120 off. This mini-PC not only rocks a Ryzen 7 Pro 6850H CPU and a whopping 32GB of RAM, but comes with excellent connectivity features to boot. It’s a great mini-PC and at this discount the value can’t be beat. If you’re more of a Mac fan, then this rare deal on the latest M4 Mac Mini for $100 off on Amazon is for you. The latest 2024 Mac Mini is a seriously good option for those looking to get great mini-PC performance for the price. The M4 chip has outstanding processing power and this model also comes with a good amount of RAM and onboard storage. Note: If you’re looking for even more great deals on mini-PCs be sure to check out our full roundup spotlighting the very best Prime Day mini-PC deals. Best early October Prime Day deals on all-in-one & mainstream computers All-in-one desktop computers combine a PC’s hardware with a modern display to make a desktop computer that has both form and function. Since everything is built together, you can save precious desktop space with an all-in-one. They make capable work computers and they can also be excellent home computers with the wide range of features appealing to the whole family. Lenovo 24 AiO, Intel N100/32GB RAM/1TB SSD/24-inch 1080p display, $559.98 (30% off on Amazon) HP OmniStudio X AiO, Core Ultra 5 125H/16GB RAM/256GB SSD/32-inch 4K display, $1,329.99 (13% off on HP) Dell 27 AiO, Core 5 120U/16GB RAM/512GB SSD/27-inch 1080p display, $779.99 (16% off on Dell) iMac M4, M4/16GB RAM/512GB SSD/24-inch 5K display, $1,523.86 (10% off on Amazon) My top picks: Amazon is offering a great deal of $240 off on the Lenovo 24 AiO. This budget-friendly all-in-one has way more RAM and onboard storage than most other models at this price. It’s a killer value for a trustworthy and dependable Lenovo PC. Alternatively, the HP OmniStudio X AiO for $200 off on HP’s website is a worthy splurge. Rocking a stunning 4K display and good performance features, this flagship all-in-one from HP will upgrade any desk space—you just might want to invest in some external storage as this only comes with 256GB. Other great October Prime Day deals These aren’t the only Prime Day deals being tracked by the PCWorld team. If you’re looking to supercharge your home setup with more killer tech sales, hit the links below for the more of the best expert-curated picks we’ve found. Best early Amazon October Prime Day tech deals: Great sales chosen by experts Best early October Prime Day laptop deals: Gaming notebooks, 2-in-1s, and more Best early October Prime Day deals on SSDs and storage Best early USB flash drive deals for October Prime Day Best early monitor deals for October Prime Day: OLED, home office, and more Best early October Prime Day deals on Thunderbolt docks and USB-C hubs Best early October Prime Day mini PC deals: Big savings on tiny computers Best early October Prime Day deals on battery chargers and power banks Best early October Prime Day deals on Chromebooks Best early October Prime Day deals on office chairs and standing desks FAQ 1. What type of desktop computer should I get? You’ll see a ton of options when searching for a desktop computer, but they all mainly fit into four main categories: gaming PCs, mainstream PCs (towers or mini PCs), and all-in-ones (AiO). Which you should end up buying is entirely dependent upon what your needs are and what you want to do with your computer. If you’re looking for something that will work in a home office or family room, then a mainstream PC or AiO with a solid CPU and a decent amount of RAM and storage is probably the way to go. If gaming is your main concern, a gaming desktop PC can offer a lot more bang for your buck than a laptop and you should prioritize getting the best GPU possible. 2. How much processing power will I need in a desktop computer? If you’re after CPU power, look for processors with higher numerical labels. Intel processors are available in the newer Core Ultra 3, 5, 7, or 9, and the older Core i3, i5, i7, and i9. AMD processors are available in the Ryzen 5000, 7000, 8000, and 9000 versions. Generally speaking, the higher the number, the more powerful the CPU for both manufacturers. If you don’t need a ton of power, Intel Core Ultra 5 or Core i5 processors are your best bet, as they offer good performance at a decent price. You can get along just fine with a Core Ultra 3 or Core i3 for basic office and web browsing. A Core Ultra 7 or Core i7 is more suited to gaming and more intense work than everyday tasks. Also, if gaming is your main concern, you may want to consider opting for the older Core i-processors as the newer Core Ultra processors are optimized for AI performance rather than gaming. As for AMD options, the Ryzen 5000 chips rival Intel’s Core i5 as solid all-arounders. If you need more power, the Ryzen 7000 or 8000 chips are well suited for content creation like video editing. Finally, if you’re dealing with 4K video or want peak gaming performance, spring for a Ryzen 9000. 3. What GPU should I get for a desktop computer? If you don’t intend to do any gaming on your computer, then feel free to save some money by going with integrated graphics. However, if you are looking to get your game on, then we recommend at least an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 or RTX 5060 (or the equivalent Radeon RX 9060) as these are the least expensive discrete graphics cards that can handle 1080p gaming on High graphics settings in most games. For 1440p gaming you’ll typically want to aim for an RTX 4070/5070 (or Radeon RX 9070/XT), and for 4K gaming you’ll need to shell out for at least an RTX 4080/5080 or upgrade to the RTX 4090/5090 Thankfully, the latest-gen GPUs have dropped significantly in price in pre-built systems so opt for those if you have the money and want a performance boost. But if you’re on a tight budget, then opting for a rig with a previous-generation card can allow you to save some money while still providing decent graphics quality. 4. How much memory do I need in a desktop computer? As for RAM, nowadays I think it’s best to shoot for 16GB at the minimum for all systems. If you’re on a budget or just need a basic browsing machine then 8GB may suffice but you’ll likely notice a performance drop if you tend to have multiple applications or browser tabs open. Those looking to do heavy content creation such as video editing should aim for at least 32GB or go for 64GB for 4K editing. 5. What is a good amount of storage for a desktop computer? Storage size is dependent upon your personal needs, but it is generally a good idea to opt for an SSD over a standard HDD as they are much faster and don’t significantly affect the price of a desktop. Before deciding, it’s best to consider what your intended use of the computer will be. Are you just storing documents or doing web browsing? Then something like 512GB will be plenty. If you want to load up a lot of large files such as games or content creation projects, then you’ll need at least 1TB to 2TB of storage. However, just remember that even if your computer doesn’t have enough storage built-in you can always upgrade your SSD or go with an external drive to increase your available storage options. 6. Is now a good time to buy a desktop computer? While the prospect of tariff-induced price increases may seem daunting to consumers, right now is actually a pretty good time to buy a new PC. Component prices have generally stabilized in the face of tariffs—with the exception of high-end GPU models—and CPU prices overall generally remain affordable. If you’re waiting for upcoming releases, you shouldn’t hold your breath. Don’t get caught in the cycle of waiting for the next new thing as something new is always around the corner. Waiting for a new product launch is only beneficial if it’s imminent and there are no good deals available right now. Fortunately, events such as Ocotber Prime Day offer buyers an excellent time to buy the latest components and PC builds at a discount. Read...

This year’s October Prime Day event starts on October 7th and will end at midnight Pacific, October 8th — a two-day event rather than a four-day sale like we had in July. Still, we’re expecting killer deals on everything tech, including flash drives. After all, everyone needs a great USB flash drive, and October Prime Day is an excellent time to grab one for cheap. Why listen to my recommendations? I’ve been a journalist for 19 years, with 13 of those years focused on consumer technology. I love sifting through deals and spend every day hunting down the very best sales on the very best tech. With October Prime Day, I’m exercising those muscles to help you find the best USB thumb drives worth your money. These hand-curated recommendations take price, reviews, and brand reputation into consideration. Best early October Prime Day deals on 64GB to 256GB flash drives Samsung Fit Plus, 128GB, USB 3.1 — $15 (25% off, was $20) SanDisk Ultra, 128GB, USB 3.0 — $12 (23% off, was $15.49) Samsung Type-C, 128GB, USB 3.2 — $18 (10% off, was $20) Lexar JumpDrive Dual, 128GB, USB 3.2 — $17 (23% off, was $22) PNY Turbo Attache 3, 256GB, USB 3.0 — $15 (25% off, was $20) Samsung Bar Plus, 256GB, USB 3.1 — $22 (33% off, was $32) PNY Elite-X Fit, 256GB, USB 3.1 — $23 (12% off, was $26) The best deal of the lot is for the Samsung Bar Plus, where you can get 256GB of storage space for just $22. This is a super-fast flash drive that can reach up to 400 MB/s transfer speeds, comes with a rugged metal casing, and is even waterproof and shockproof. Best early October Prime Day deals on 512GB to 2TB flash drives SanDisk Ultra Flair, 512GB, USB 3.0 — $36 (23% off, was $47) Samsung Fit Plus, 512GB, USB 3.2 — $60 (6% off, was $64) PNY Pro Elite V3, 512GB, USB 3.2 — $54 (11% off, was $61) SanDisk Ultra Fit, 512GB, USB 3.2 — $40 (20% off, was $50) SanDisk Extreme Pro Dual, 512GB, USB 3.2 — $58 (28% off, was $80) Kindston Ironkey Vault Privacy 50, 512GB, USB 3.2, Encrypted — $203 (17% off, was $245) A superb pick from this list is the Ultra Flair from SanDisk. This is a flash drive with a USB-A connector, 128-bit AES encryption, and up to 150MB/s transfer speeds for a quick job on moving files around. Other great early October Prime Day deals These aren’t the only October Prime Day deals being tracked by the PCWorld team. If you’re looking to supercharge your home setup with the juiciest tech sales, hit the links for the best expert-curated picks we’ve found. Best early Amazon October Prime Day tech deals: Great sales chosen by experts Best early October Prime Day laptop deals: Gaming notebooks, 2-in-1s, and more Best early October Prime Day deals on SSDs and storage Best early monitor deals for October Prime Day: OLED, home office, and more Best early October Prime Day deals on Thunderbolt docks and USB-C hubs Best early October Prime Day mini PC deals: Big savings on tiny computers Best early October Prime Day deals on battery chargers and power banks Best early October Prime Day deals on Chromebooks Best early October Prime Day deals on office chairs and standing desks Best early October Prime Day PC computer deals USB flash drive deals FAQs 1. What capacity do I need in a USB flash drive? This is a question that you need to answer yourself because it really depends on what you plan to use it for. If you’re only moving work documents around, a small capacity like 64GB will be fine. If you want to use a flash drive for backing up photos, videos, games, and other big files, then you might want to go 512GB or larger. 2. What features should I prioritize when choosing a USB flash drive? First of all, our recommendation is to look at the flash drive’s transfer speeds. To ensure you get fast read/write speeds, you should get a USB 3.0 or above. USB 2.x drives are sorely outdated. Then, you have to make sure the flash drive can survive living in your pocket, getting crushed by your laptop, falling through your fingers, and so on. Aluminum casings will offer better protection in such cases. If the flash drive offers 128-bit AES encryption or better, your data will also have some extra protection in case you lose it, as the drive will be inaccessible and block out others from reading your data. 3. How did we find the best USB flash drive October Prime Day deals? Finding great deals can be difficult because not all discounts are worth covering. When looking for good October Prime Day deals, we compare the prices on Amazon with the regular retail price and check pricing history to see if there have been any changes lately and that the price drops are truly noteworthy. We also check product reviews to see if they’re reliable in the long run and live up to their promises. Read...