TL;DR: Get a lifetime license to Microsoft Visio Professional 2021 for Windows for just $14.97 (MSRP $249.99) and bring clarity to complex data with powerful templates, shapes, and collaboration tools designed for professionals. If you’ve ever tried explaining a process using just bullet points, you know how fast people tune out. Microsoft Visio Professional 2021 aims to change that — helping you turn data into visuals that actually make sense. And right now, it’s yours for a one-time price of $14.97 (MSRP: $249.99). From org charts and floor plans to technical diagrams and brainstorming maps, Visio gives you dozens of templates and thousands of customizable shapes to transform any workflow into a visual masterpiece. It’s especially handy for project managers, engineers, IT pros, designers, or business owners who need to share information quickly and clearly. With collaboration features, touch-screen drawing support, and live data linking from Excel or Microsoft 365, Visio makes it easy to keep your team on the same page. You can go from explaining your ideas to showing them, and that’s the difference between being heard and being understood. Get lifetime access to MS Visio Pro 2021 while it’s just $14.97 (MSRP $249.99). Microsoft Visio 2021 Professional: Lifetime License for WindowsSee Deal StackSocial prices subject to change. Read...

OpenAI recently launched ChatGPT Atlas, which is “a new web browser built with ChatGPT at its core.” It’s based on Chromium—which is true of pretty much all browsers these days except Firefox and Safari—and its unique selling point is that it integrates ChatGPT right into the browser, allowing users to chat with their search results and use a side panel that automatically provides ChatGPT with on-screen context. ChatGPT Atlas also has access to your browsing history, allowing the AI assistant to customize its responses based on your activity. For paid ChatGPT Plus, Pro, and Business users, Atlas also has an “agent mode” where the AI can perform simple web-based tasks on your behalf. ChatGPT Atlas is currently only available for macOS, but support for Windows, iOS, and Android is on the way. The browser will be available to all free users at launch with some paywalled features. Furthermore, head of ChatGPT Atlas team Adam Fry posted on social media a list of “post-launch fixes” that will be addressed “over the coming weeks,” including multiprofile support, tab groups, opt-in ad blocker, and various user experience improvements. Read...

Microsoft is rolling out a new version of the Snipping Tool in Windows 11, which might be worth paying attention to. The big news with this update is that Microsoft is adding a visual search feature powered by Bing. If you’ve ever used Google Lens, then you know what to expect here. According to Windows Latest, it works like this: whenever you make a selection on screen with the Snipping Tool—which is accessible using the Windows key + Shift + S keyboard shortcut—you’ll now see a new action in the toolbar called “Visual Search with Bing.” Clicking it launches a Bing search that tries to identify the subject in the selection. The Snipping Tool is one of Windows 11’s best features because it can do so much more than just take screenshots. For instance, it can extract text from an image using OCR, it can record screencast videos, and it can export screencasts as animated GIFs. Visual Search is an excellent addition to the arsenal—and Windows Latest even says that it performs slightly better than Google Lens in their tests. Visual Search with Bing is currently only available in Snipping Tool version 11.2508.29.0 and only to users in the US for now. Further reading: Overlooked Windows 11 features I wish I tried sooner Read...

At a glanceExpert`s Rating Pros Clear refined sound Lightweight and portable Large volume knob control Cons Lacks a strong bass No dedicated software app Sound is quite localized Our Verdict The Bluedee Computer Soundbar is a compact, portable speaker ideal for small spaces. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Best Prices Today: Bluedee Computer Soundbar Retailer Price $59.49 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Best Prices Today: Check today’s prices The Bluedee Computer Soundbar is a compact, straightforward PC speaker that’s ideal for small rooms. Its low profile makes it easy to place beneath a monitor or beside a laptop. You can charge and use it without keeping it plugged in, allowing it to double as a portable Bluetooth speaker. It delivers clear, crisp audio that’s strongest in the mid-range tones. Read on to learn more. Bluedee Computer Soundbar: Design and build The Bluedee Computer Soundbar consists of a single soundbar including two full-range 20W speakers. Those speakers are situated next to mica fiber diaphragms for the sound resonance. The soundbar itself has a low profile. It measures 18.1 x 3.1 x 2.9 inches, so it fits neatly underneath a monitor or beside a laptop without taking up much space. The design is made of hard plastic with a plastic speaker grille that takes up the whole front section. It weighs two pounds, so it’s very lightweight and portable. The unit comes with two non-slip feet on each side of the bar. They’re made of foam and have a fair amount of cushioning, which works as a protection against vibrations from the desk. Overall, the Bluedee Soundbar is sturdy and well made. Bluedee Computer Soundbar: Connectivity and controls On the back left side of the device, you’ll find the ports: an AUX In port, a USB port, and a power port. Included in the box are a USB-C charging cable and a 3.5 mm audio cable for connectivity. Dominic Bayley / Foundry The Bluedee Computer Soundbar supports Bluetooth 5.3 by default, but you can plug in a USB flash drive or use the 3.5mm cable connection if you wish. All the controls are located on the left end of the soundbar. Here, you’ll find a power button, a large volume control knob, play and pause buttons, a mode button, and the next track/previous track buttons. I liked the large volume knob, which let me adjust the sound without moving the soundbar while playing music. However, the mode button and the next/previous track buttons look very similar, making them a bit hard to tell apart. The soundbar features a 3600mAh battery, and once it’s charged, it stays powered on even when unplugged, allowing you to use it as a portable Bluetooth speaker. The device has voice notifications that announce the different modes as you change between them. That meant I never had to guess what mode I was in. Bluedee Computer Soundbar: Sound To test the Bluedee Computer Soundbar, I first played Paradise by Coldplay followed by All About That Bass by Meghan Trainor. The Bluedee rose to the occasion on both counts, producing clear, crisp audio that was on par with what you’d expect from a quality 2.0 speaker system. It’s rare to find speakers at this price point with this level of clarity. I was surprised at how crisp the audio was in Paradise, considering the Bluedee Soundbar costs well under $100. The vocals were the hero. The Bluedee delivered them with a warmness that highlighted the mid-range tones. The instrumentals flew over the top of the vocals too, which showcased the soundbar’s treble range. The Bluedee Computer Soundbar controls.  Dominic Bayley / Foundry In All About That Bass, the instrumentals popped above the vocals also, but the bass was pretty light. I had to turn the volume up high to get a response out of it. You’ll need to keep the volume up anyway to get projection throughout a room since the sound is quite localized. For that reason, the Bluedee Soundbar is better suited to smaller rooms. On the plus side, the soundbar does a great job of reducing vibrations. Even with the volume cranked up very high, the unit held out on the kind of vibrations that would cause the sound to be muffled. I also tested the speakers for video conferencing. Voices came through clearly and without distortion, so the soundbar can just as easily be used for work as for music or general PC audio. After a full charge, the soundbar’s battery lasted for two and a half hours of continuous play. There’s no software app support though, which is a shame because you have to guess how much power you have left. Bluedee Computer Soundbar: Conclusion Overall, I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the Bluedee Soundbar. It’s rare to find speakers at this price point with this level of clarity, making the Bluedee a solid choice for anyone looking for a lightweight, portable soundbar for their home PC setup. While the Bluedee lacks strong bass and dedicated software support, it still offers excellent value at its current price of just $59. Read...

Wyze Labs expands its budget-priced smart home security lineup this week with two new wireless outdoor cameras: the Battery Video Doorbell and the Solar Cam Pan pan/tilt camera. Wyze Battery Video Doorbell The Wyze Battery Video Doorbell is built for easy installation and full front-door coverage. Its 1:1 aspect ratio, 150- × 150-degree field-of-view lens captures any activity on your porch with resolution of 1536 x 1536 pixels. The doorbell can operate wire-free for three to six months on a charge, or you can connect it to your existing low-voltage wiring for continuous power. Opting for the latter enables a pre-roll feature that captures an additional 3- to 6 seconds of video before a motion event triggered the camera to record. With an optional Cam Plus subscription ($3 per month/$20 per year for each Wyze camera you own), you’ll get AI-powered person and package detection, 14 days of storage in the cloud, and other benefits. A Cam Unlimited subscription, priced at $10 per month/$100 per year, unlocks additional features, including facial recognition, and covers all the Wyze cameras you might own. The Wyze Battery Video Doorbell can run wire-free for up to six months. Connect it to your existing low-voltage wiring for continuous power and pre-roll video capture.Wyze Other features include two-way talk, quick auto-responses, and a motion-activated voice deterrent that alerts visitors they’re being recorded. The unit carries an IP65 weather-resistance rating and can record locally to a user-provided microSD card (capacities up to 256GB are supported). The doorbell can record video to the card 24/7 when it’s hardwired to power. Smart home aficionados can integrate the Wyze Battery Doorbell with Alexa, Google Assistant, IFTTT, and Wyze Automations. It’s available now for $65.98. Wyze Solar Cam Pan The Wyze Solar Cam Pan is the company’s first solar-powered, wire-free, pan-and-tilt camera. It provides 360 degrees of horizontal and 70 degrees of vertical movement, and it records in 2K resolution with color night vision and what Wyze describes as “Wide Dynamic Range.” The camera’s ETFE (ethylene tetrafluoroethylene) solar panel is designed to deliver continuous power with exposure to about an hour of sunlight per day, supplemented by a built-in 6,400 mAh battery that Wyze says can last up to six months on a full charge of its own. Other features include AI-powered person tracking, a 105dB siren, a motion-activated spotlight, and motion-activated warnings to deter intruders. The Solar Cam Pan provides 360 degrees of horizontal and 70 degrees of vertical movement and records in 2K resolution. Wyze The Solar Cam Pan is rated IP65 for protection from the elements, meaning it’s impervious to particulate-matter (e.g., dust) ingress, and that it’s protected against water projected in jets from any direction (short of a pressure washer, that is). The camera supports up to Wi-Fi 6 networking (initial setup connection is via Bluetooth), and it can accommodate up to a 512GB microSD card for local recording. The provided mounting kits enable you to mount the camera can be mounted on a vertical wall or under an eave, with the solar panel installed on top or at a nearby location thanks to its 10-foot cable. The Wyze Solar Cam Pan is available now for $79.98. We’ll have reviews of both devices soon. Read...

I always thought the idea of a 5G laptop was little more than a gimmick. Public Wi-Fi is everywhere these days, plus you can always tether your laptop to your phone’s 5G hotspot in a pinch. That’s enough, right? But after doing a hands-on review of an HP laptop with built-in 5G—the HP EliteBook 6 G1q, if you’re curious what it was—I have to confess that I was wrong. 5G laptops are actually amazing! Here’s a quick explainer on HP Go and 5G laptops, plus what made me change my mind on 5G laptops and why I hope to see manufacturers start putting out a wide range of 5G models soon. What is HP Go? There are some things you need to know about 5G laptops before getting one, such as the fact they’re still pretty hard to find. Whereas tablets with cellular connectivity are common, you have to go out of your way to hunt down a laptop with 5G hardware—and even if you do find the right machine, not all 5G plans support laptops. 5G laptop plans are expensive, and they’re often just sold to businesses. Microsoft Surface Laptop 5GMicrosoft Such is the case for HP Go, which is a 5G service plan provided by HP for businesses, and it’s built right into their 5G laptops. Under the hood, HP’s 5G laptops have multiple eSIMs that can connect to AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon networks. The laptops automatically choose the strongest network without any input needed from you. Conceptually, this reminds me of Google’s original plan for Google Fi—a multi-network cellular plan that automatically switches between networks. The first version of HP Go is designed strictly for businesses, but I asked HP about a consumer version and one representative hinted they were also thinking about 5G laptops for consumers. What makes a 5G laptop so amazing? A 5G laptop transforms how you use your laptop on the go. That’s easy to say, but it actually feels unreal in the real world. I went to downtown Boston, sat on a park bench, and pulled the laptop out of my bag. As soon as I opened it, I had an active internet connection. I later drove to the beach, got out of the car, and opened the laptop. Right away, the 5G was ready to go. Chris Hoffman / Foundry It’s the speed and convenience that wowed me. You can pull out your laptop, check your email and shoot a reply, then close it in under a minute. (It beats typing the email on your phone!) You don’t have to hunt down public Wi-Fi and click through a portal while wondering if you should be using a VPN for public Wi-Fi security. You don’t have to pull out your phone, tether it to your laptop, and drain your phone’s battery to power your laptop’s internet. 5G on a laptop just works. No need for Wi-Fi or Ethernet When I was setting up the HP EliteBook 6 G1q, I took it out of the box, turned it on, signed into my Microsoft account, and configured Windows per usual… except I never connected it to Wi-Fi. In fact, I didn’t even have to set up the 5G connection! The laptop came pre-configured with a cellular profile (a feature HP offers to businesses as part of HP Go). Chris Hoffman / Foundry The experience of setting up a Windows laptop and being able to jump right into using it without connecting to Wi-Fi is surreal. The 5G laptop experience feels like magic. More than that, an always-on cellular data connection provides better anti-theft capabilities for a laptop as well as remote manageability. Like a 5G phone or tablet, you can remotely track a 5G laptop even when it isn’t connected to Wi-Fi. 5G laptops can compete with tablets I remember being at CES 2020 in Las Vegas, which was branded “the year of 5G.” Now, over five years later, it’s still difficult to get your hands on a laptop with 5G. Want a portable device with a keyboard that has 5G? You’re nudged towards an iPad or Android tablet instead. But I want a PC, not an iPad or Android tablet. For real, 5G is a feature that PCs desperately need to steal from tablets—all popular laptop models should offer the option to pay a little extra for 5G. Chris Hoffman / Foundry If PC manufacturers want to compete with iPads in a world where Apple is increasingly offering more desktop-style features on iPadOS, then they need to get serious about 5G laptop models. I want my portable productivity machine to run Windows. How many people have switched to using a 5G iPad as a “laptop” just for the connectivity alone? Cellular laptops are awesome, period I’ve previously argued against 5G laptops, and some of those arguments still hold water: you only have a few hardware options; 5G cellular plans are expensive; you can make do with a dedicated 5G hotspot device. Those are still reasons to avoid buying a 5G laptop right now. But those problems could be fixed by the industry at large, and this HP laptop powered by HP Go hints at such a future. A 5G laptop will never need to drain your phone’s battery via mobile hotspot.Chris Hoffman / Foundry Later on, when 5G laptops are easily accessible and cellular plans are reasonably priced, I’m sure most people would prefer 5G laptops. The idea of having a cellular connection everywhere is a killer business feature, so it’s no surprise that HP is mainly marketing this to businesses to start—but many consumers and individual knowledge workers (like me) would also love this in our day-to-day portable laptops. That day is still a few years away at least, so maybe don’t rush out to buy a 5G laptop just yet. But definitely keep the tech on your radar. I want to see more 5G-powered laptops from other manufacturers soon, and I look forward to the day when opening a laptop is just like taking out a phone. The only question is, which manufacturer is going to take this seriously and be the first to offer 5G laptops to consumers? Read...

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