Yesterday, Microsoft announced in a blog post a “new generation of Windows experiences” that includes a brand-new Start menu for Windows 11. The first traces of this new Start menu appeared last month in an early preview version of the operating system. The new Start menu is significantly larger and wider than the current one and it features a separate panel for the Phone Link app—which Microsoft refers to as a “phone companion in Start”—where users can have quick access to data and tools from a synced Android or iPhone. The new Start menu will begin rolling out next month, coming first to Windows Insider preview testers running Microsoft’s own Snapdragon X-equipped Copilot+ PCs. When that update rolls out, said PCs will also be updated with several new AI tools and features, like a brand-new “agentic AI” in the Settings app that can autonomously adjust settings and manage apps. Further reading: Windows Recall is too risky. Turn it off now Read...

At a glanceExpert`s Rating Pros File- and image-based backup Powerful online (web) management Console Local and online backup Pro-level features abound Cons Doesn’t support Consumer-grade online storage Costs add up Our Verdict MSP360 Managed Backup and its fully featured online Console let you control all your computer backups for a decently low fee. Local and online, file-based and imaging, along with disaster recovery are all provided via manageable local clients. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Best Prices Today: MSP360 Managed Backup Retailer Price MSP360 $30 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket If you have more than one computer to back up, you might want to consider the option- and feature-rich MSP360 Managed Backup. Its online console allows you to easily keep tabs on all your machines, perform various related functions, and track their backup status. You can also opt for remote control and management if you really have a lot of PCs to worry about. Local and online backup are supported, though the latter lacks hooks to consumer-grade storage services such as Dropbox, OneDrive, etc. Read on to learn more, then see our roundup of the best backup software for comparison. What are MSP360 Managed Backup’s features? MSP360 Managed Backup, nee Cloudberry Backup, supports both file- and image-based replication of your data. The client (shown below) is almost identical to the standalone desktop version of MSP360 Backup that I recently reviewed, but connects with the online management console so you can manage it remotely. Upgrades are of course available. Granular scheduling is one of MSP360’s strengths. Of which it has many. This is the desktop client. The list of the online storage services that MSP360 Managed Backup supports is extensive, but doesn’t include consumer favorites such as OneDrive, Google Drive, Dropbox, etc. What it does support are: Wasabi (default), Amazon AWS S3, Microsoft Azure/Azure VM, Backblaze B2, Google Cloud, and Minio. You may also employ S3-compatible services, many of which are very affordable. The online storage service destination definition dialog from MSP360’s local client. Local disaster recovery is implemented via the usual WinPE (Linux is also common) boot disc, as shown below. Bare metal recovery basically means you can restore to dissimilar hardware without having to worry about hunting down drivers. The MSP360 disaster recovery boot disc. As for the online management console, which is the whole reason you might want MSP360 Managed Backup versus its standalone variant, it is slick, full-featured, and very efficient once you are up to speed. It does, however, take a bit of getting used to. There’s a lot there and it will only be intuitive if you’re used to remote management. You can of course manage all the local clients, install agents remotely (as long as there’s something connected already), and even control them remotely (extra charge). There are also reports and analysis aplenty of both the clients and whatever storage service you are using. If you aren’t using one, you can stick with backups to local media if you so desire. There’s also the remote control and management (the RMM in the graphic below), the latter of which is used to roll out updates and set the policies (update permissions, installation privileges, etc.) for groups of PCs. While I’ll say that RMM is of little interest to most end-users, I know of at least one guy who manages his entire trans-continental family’s computer network using RMM. The two computers I used to test MSP360 Managed Backup’s online console. One of my favorite features is object lock, aka immutability. This means no one can change the data, including legitimate users, until you remove the lock. Having suffered a ransomware attack once when I foolishly hosted my website on my own NAS box, I can readily appreciate the utility of this. MSP360 Management console email and downloads sections. Other online features include the ability to purchase and manage licenses, set up notification options, managing storage and billing, etc. Below you’ll see some iOS captures of the MSP360 app. While it can’t manage backups like the online management console, it can tell you plenty about the status. It’s also used in 2FA when you login online. In fact, it’s required. Industrial strength security here, though you can disable the 2FA. Having once managed several SMB computer fleets (using Kaseya) remotely, I found MSP360 Managed Backup more than adequate to the task. I didn’t take the RMM for a spin, but I wish I’d had this service back in the day. Good stuff. How much is MSP360 Managed Backup? While I’m reviewing MSP360 Manage Backup as a consumer product, and there are certainly users and small businesses who it would benefit, it’s just a wee bit of a stretch for the average user due to the overall price. The MSP360 service is $2.50 a month, or $30 a year per computer. That’s not bad at all, but then you’ll probably want to add online storage — which is where the lack of support for consumer-oriented storage services you might already have could hurt. Of course, you can work around this limitation and use virtually any online storage service by mounting it locally using cloud manager software. It’s an extra step, but hey. MSP360 defaults to Wasabi, which is $6 a month per TB, or $72 a year. That’s competitive with most other services, but shop around for the best deal. When you check pricing, remember that this is purely for backup, and not working online or syncing between computers. Those that are pure storage tend to be a bit cheaper. Using MSP360’s default pricing, a household of five computers, backing up only essential data to a single 1TB Wasabi account would cost you around $222 a year. What kind of bargain you consider that, only you will know. It might be a bit much for a family, but I’d call it insignificant for a small business. Note that the Connect and RMM services incur additional costs: $90 per year for the former and $60 a month for the latter. Also, it’s difficult to find pricing on the MSP360 website. I’m going off what the media relations folks told me. Per-computer pricing could make MSP360 Manage Backup a bit pricey for a family or totally reasonable for a small business. How does MSP360 Managed Backup perform? The local client was flawless in my hands-on, as long as there was enough room on the destination. The program actually warned me that there wasn’t enough space (our previous look at the client saw no warning) — then promptly let me try to fit 1.2TB of data into 450GB of space. I understand compression can reduce size, but not by 750GB. Just say no! The MSP360 Desktop client utilized by the managed system. To be fair, I experienced issues of the same ilk with an old faithful favorite — R-Drive Image. Trusting the intelligence and diligence of your users is great, but every once in a while guardrails are appropriate. Beyond the attempt at bliveting (trying to stuff 10 pounds of “stuff” into a 5 pound bag), local, network (mounted drives), and online backups all went off without a hitch and in what I consider a sprightly fashion — i.e., roughly in line with the speed of the operating system, connection, and media involved. The disaster recovery disk booted fine and restore operations all succeeded. Can’t ask for more than that. The management console connected successfully and in short order with the clients I had installed, and there wasn’t a lot of lag in updating information. Is MSP360 Managed Backup worth it? If you have multiple PCs to back up and monitor, and aren’t committed to an online storage vendor that’s not supported, then yes. Even if you are committed to one online service, there are roundabout ways to still utilize it. Also, redundancy isn’t a bad thing when it comes to backup. Read...

They say good things come in small packages, and that’s definitely true when it comes to mini PCs. I mean, just look at this Acemagician M1 mini PC that’s only $398 on Amazon (was $499). I challenge you to find a similarly priced laptop that offers this much power. Yeah, I’ll wait. The Acemagician M1 features an AMD Ryzen 7 6800H processor that’s bolstered by a chunky 32GB of DDR5 RAM, a delightfully productive combo that’s affordable yet powerful enough to handle most of the tasks you’d want to do, from spreadsheet calculations to web surfing to editing photos to mind-melting Netflix binges. The 1TB SSD offers fast enough file operations to boot up and move data in a flash. And if this isn’t enough, you can always upgrade to 64GB of RAM and 4TB of storage. The chip in this mini PC also has Radeon 680M integrated graphics, which is actually pretty good for light to moderate gaming and maybe even some video editing. It’s also performant enough to support triple 4K displays, which you can connect using the HDMI, DisplayPort, and USB-C video ports. In fact, it’s a productivity beast complete with six high-speed USB-A ports, plus 2.5Gbps LAN and 3.5mm audio. It also has built-in Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 for your wireless connectivity needs. Honestly, this thing is an absolute bargain. Get it now for just $398 on Amazon while you still can because this limited-time deal won’t last. Get this Ryzen 7 mini PC with 32GB RAM for just $398Buy now at Amazon Read...

At a glanceExpert`s Rating Pros Attractive and functional design Google TV OS is great for streaming Includes a remote control Bright, sharp image Cons Mediocre color gamut and performance HDR is supported, but not good Ethernet port doesn’t extend connectivity to connected PC Our Verdict It’s not for everyone, but the MSI Modern MD272UPSW is a solid smart monitor powered by Google TV OS—and it’s less expensive than many alternatives. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Best Prices Today: MSI Modern MD272UPSW Retailer Price MSI $349.99 View Deal $356.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Smart monitors are very much a thing in 2025. These monitors bundle a smart TV operating system (usually Google TV OS) to provide most of the benefits of a television in a computer monitor. This flexibility makes the Modern MD272UPSW appealing if you often find yourself using a monitor like a television, though the monitor’s image quality is just so-so. MSI’s aggressive price also improves the monitor’s appeal. Read on to learn more, then see our roundup of the best monitors for comparison. Modern MD272UPSW specs and features The MSI Modern MD272UPSW’s basic specifications are typical for an inexpensive 4K monitor. It has a 27-inch 16:9 aspect ratio screen with, of course, 3840×2160 resolution. The refresh rate is just 60Hz and the panel uses IPS LCD technology without a fancy Mini-LED backlight. Display size: 27-inch 16:9 aspect ratio Native resolution: 3840×2160 Panel type: IPS LCD 8-bit + FRC Refresh rate: 60Hz Adaptive sync: Yes, Adaptive Sync HDR: HDR 10 Ports: 1x HDMI 2.0b, 1x DisplayPort 1.4a, 1x USB Type-C with 65 watts of Power Delivery, 2x USB-A 2.0, 1x Ethernet, 1x 3.5mm audio-out jack Additional features: Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5, Remote control, Google TV OS Audio: 2x 3-watt speakers Warranty: 3-year warranty Price: $349.99 MSRP However, there’s something in the box that immediately sets the monitor apart: a TV-style remote control. This is used to control Google TV OS, which is pre-installed on the monitor. The remote can also adjust monitor features including the monitor’s profile preset and brightness. Also, because the monitor is meant to be used as an internet-connected smart TV, it includes both an Ethernet port and Wi-Fi 5. Matthew Smith / Foundry Modern MD272UPSW design The MSI Modern MD272UPSW makes a good first impression. It provides a sleek, crisp white colorway that will fit in with most living room and home office setups, and the plastics used across the rear of the panel, as well as the stand, feel sturdy. MSI ships the monitor with an ergonomic stand that adjusts for height, tilt, swivel, and pivots 90 degrees for use in portrait orientation. This is the typical range of adjustment for a modern monitor, but it’s also good to see. The stand is not large and has a flat base, which minimizes the space that it takes up on a desk. The Modern MD272UPSW also has a 75x75mm VESA mount for use with a third-party monitor stand or arm. Matthew Smith / Foundry Modern MD272UPSW connectivity Although inexpensive, the Modern MD272UPSW has a good range of connectivity, some of which is required to use the monitor’s smart TV features. The monitor’s video inputs include one HDMI 2.0 port, one DisplayPort 1.4, and one USB Type-C with DisplayPort alternate mode. The USB-C port also provides 65 watts of USB Power Delivery. A pair of USB-A ports offer additional USB connectivity, which can be accessed through the USB-C port. However, the USB-A ports are only rated at the USB 2.0 specifications, so they’ll prove rather slow for data transfers. A 3.5mm headphone-out jack is included, too. The monitor’s smart TV features require an internet connection, so it has an Ethernet port and Wi-Fi 5, plus Bluetooth. However, the Ethernet port doesn’t extend connectivity to a connected laptop. That’s a bummer. On a final but important note, shoppers should keep in mind that the MSI Modern MD272UPSW doesn’t have a TV tuner. That means it can’t accept a coaxial TV signal and won’t work with most cable set-top boxes, and certainly not with over-the-air TV signals. It’s all about TV delivered over the internet. Modern MD272UPSW menus and features Because the MSI Modern MD272UPSW has Google TV OS, setting it up is a bit different from a typical monitor. Turning it on will direct you to Google TV’s setup process. Users need to turn on and pair the remote and connect a Google account. If all goes well, this should take about 5 minutes; I ran into a few issues with proper detection of the monitor but, after a few tries, it eventually worked. Once set up, you’ll be greeted by a Google TV OS interface that looks much like any other display that uses the operating system. Google TV OS offers a clean, modern user interface with quick access to common streaming apps like Netflix and YouTube. Technically, this means you don’t need an input device at all. You can use the MSI Modern MD272UPSW as stand-alone smart TV. Matthew Smith / Foundry I expect most users will want to connect to a PC, however. Smart monitors can be finicky about detecting and switching to new devices, but this wasn’t a problem I had with the Modern MD272UPSW. My desktop and laptop were detected within seconds and the monitor switched to these new input sources without manual adjustment. In addition, the Modern MD272UPSW’s pricing gives it a strong competitive advantage against other smart monitors. As I’ll discuss in a moment, the monitor’s image quality is mediocre. But if Google TV OS is a key feature you want in a monitor, the Modern MD272UPSW is an affordable way to get it—and it works as well here as it does on more expensive alternatives, like the Asus ZenScreen Smart Monitor MS27UC. It’s not all sunshine and roses, however. While input devices worked well, navigating Google TV OS to change monitor settings can feel cumbersome. If you want to adjust brightness, for example, you’ll need to navigate through a couple of settings sub-menus to do so. Google TV OS can also feel slow when flipping through menu options. It’s a minor hesitation—just a fraction of a second in most cases—but noticeable.   What about audio? The Modern MD272UPSW includes built-in speakers with decent audio quality. They’re not that loud at maximum volume and have trouble with more demanding content, like music. However, they’re fine for YouTube and many streaming shows. Due to their moderate volume, the speakers are best suited to smaller rooms. The MSI Modern MD272UPSW doesn’t have a TV tuner….It’s all about TV delivered over the internet. Modern MD272UPSW image quality The MSI Modern MD272UPSW is a tried-and-true IPS LCD display with an edge-lit LED backlight. This type of panel technology remains the most common, and affordable, option for computer monitors, and no doubt contributes to the Modern MD272UPSW’s low price. However, it delivers so-so image quality. Matthew Smith / Foundry First up is brightness which, it turns out, is among the Modern MD272UPSW’s best traits. It reached a sustained SDR brightness of 440 nits, which is quite a lot for a computer monitor. It’s beaten only by the Asus ZenScreen Smart Monitor MS27UC. A brightness of 440 nits is, in truth, far more than required for typical use in a home office or PC den. However, a monitor like the MD272UPSW might be roped into use as a smart TV for a guest room, vacation home, or even a kitchen. The monitor’s brightness adds some flexibility in where the monitor is used. Matthew Smith / Foundry Next up is contrast, and here things get a bit dicey for the MSI Modern MD272UPSW. It achieved a contrast ratio of 1170:1 at 50 percent of maximum brightness. That’s not bad, but it’s a firmly mid-pack result for a monitor in this category. As common for IPS-LCD monitors, contrast is limited by the monitor’s inability to reach deep, convincing black levels in dark scenes. This can be a problem when the monitor is used to play games or watch TV, especially in a dark room. You may notice the dreaded “IPS glow,” which can cause darker scenes to look hazy and gray. Matthew Smith / Foundry The Modern MD272UPSW’s color gamut is also a bit limited. It can achieve up to 99 percent of sRGB, 75 percent of DCI-P3, and 76 percent of AdobeRGB. These results would’ve looked great a few years ago, but they’re mid-pack in 2025. Still, the MD272UPSW’s color gamut is okay for the price and feature set. Movies, games, and other content won’t look as vivid as on some similarly priced monitors, like the Gigabyte M27QA ICE. But it’s good enough to satisfy less critical viewers. If you want to handle content creation, I’d take a pass on the MD272UPSW. The monitor’s limited color gamut can become an obstacle when creating or editing digital images and video, as it can’t display as many colors as some competitive monitors. Matthew Smith / Foundry Next up is color accuracy, which turns out to be among the Modern MD272UPSW’s less impressive results. The monitor’s color error average was near 2.0, and some colors were well over that mark. Subjectively, the monitor’s image still looks realistic, but critical viewers may notice that greens and cyan seem a bit faded and push towards blue more than is ideal. While the monitor’s color accuracy wasn’t a strong point, the monitor did well in gamma and color temperature. It achieved a default gamma curve of 2.2, which is our target and means that content will generally look as bright as it should. Also, the monitor had a spot-on color temperature of 6500K at 50 percent of maximum brightness, which means the image doesn’t look too cool or too warm. Sharpness is a perk, of course. The monitor’s 3840×2160 resolution results in a pixel density of about 163 pixels per inch across the 27-inch panel. That’s an excellent pixel density for a monitor. Small fonts are relatively readable and 4K video looks crisp. The MSI Modern MD272UPSW’s SDR image quality won’t knock your socks off, but it covers the basics and looks good enough for watching a show on Netflix or YouTube. Shoppers who want better image quality on a budget could consider a monitor like the Gigabyte M27Q ICE. It’s not a smart monitor, however, so you’ll need to connect a media streaming device if you want access to streaming apps. Modern MD272UPSW HDR image quality HDR is available on the MSI Modern MD272UPSW, but it’s unremarkable. The monitor isn’t VESA DisplayHDR certified and is advertised as simply “HDR Ready.” That means it can accept an HDR signal but doesn’t make any specific claims about HDR performance. HDR content can be viewed, but it won’t look much better than SDR. While that’s disappointing, it’s also typical for a monitor in this price bracket. You’ll need at least $500 to snag a monitor with decent HDR performance. Right now, older OLED monitors sold at a discount are your best bet if you want good HDR on a budget—but none of them have smart TV connectivity. Modern MD272UPSW motion performance The MSI Modern MD272UPSW isn’t sold as a gaming monitor and doesn’t promise great motion performance. It has a 60Hz refresh rate and a minimum gray-to-gray pixel response time of four milliseconds, which is typical for a monitor in this category. Fast-moving objects will show noticeable blur and scrolling text can be hard to read. However, the monitor does at least support Adaptive Sync for smooth frame pacing in PC games. MSI doesn’t quote official AMD FreeSync or Nvidia G-Sync support, but my desktop PC (with an AMD Radeon 7800 XT) detected it as a FreeSync compatible monitor. Should you buy a Modern MD272UPSW? The MSI Modern MD272UPSW is a modest budget 4K monitor with one big advantage. It supports Google TV OS. While that won’t make it appealing to people who need a monitor for a home office or PC gaming den, the Modern MD272UPSW is less expensive than most 4K smart monitors. The lower price doesn’t lead to any major trade-offs, either. While the Modern MD272UPSW’s image quality is just so-so, it’s on par with the alternatives. If you just want a monitor, you’ll be better served by more traditional computer monitors like the Dell S2722QC or Gigabyte M27Q ICE. Ultimately, I think the Modern MD272UPSW is best understood as a 27-inch smart television disguised as a computer monitor. It’s a good choice if you want a smart TV for a studio apartment, guest room, kitchen, or any other situation where you might use a display as both a monitor and a television. Read...

TL;DR: Save 84% on this refurbished Lenovo Chromebook and get free shipping until we sell out. You don’t always need a powerhouse laptop. Sometimes, you just need something that gets the job done. That’s exactly what you get with this refurbished Lenovo 300e Chromebook, now just $75. Whether you’re looking for a lightweight device to toss in your carry-on or a durable option for your kid to use at home or school, this fits the bill without draining your wallet. It features an 11.6-inch touchscreen with an anti-glare finish, making it easy to use in bright environments like airplanes, hotel lobbies, or backseat road trip setups. Inside, it’s powered by an AMD processor, 4GB of RAM, and 32GB of storage — enough to browse the web, stream videos, use Google Docs, or log into classroom portals. It’s also surprisingly rugged for the price. The Grade “B” refurbished rating means you might see some light scuffs or cosmetic wear, but nothing that affects internal performance. In fact, that lived-in look is perfect for a laptop you won’t stress over losing, scratching, or letting your kids handle without supervision. At just $75, this is the kind of laptop you can afford to forget in a hotel room — or let your kid cover in stickers without flinching. Don’t miss out on this refurbished Chromebook deal, because we could sell out fast (reg. $475.99). Lenovo 11.6? 2-in-1 Chromebook 300e 2nd Gen (2018) 4GB RAM 32GB SSD (Refurbished)See Deal StackSocial prices subject to change. Read...

Lately, Sonos has been making headlines for what it’s not going to do. It’s not bringing back the old version of its once-beloved app, it’s (reportedly) not going to make a streaming video player, and now it’s not making any more speakers with Ikea.  Sonos has confirmed to The Verge that it’s winding down its partnership with Ikea, the iconic home furnishings brand that teamed up with the networked home audio manufacturer for some of our favorite wireless speakers.  Among them were the very first products developed by the duo, the Ikea Symfonisk lamp and bookshelf speakers, which landed in 2019. The speakers, which won our Editors’ Choice award, demonstrated how great-sounding home audio components could also look terrific in the living room while maintaining Ikea-friendly price tags.  Sonos says it will continue to support existing Symfonisk speakers while also confirming that no more new models will be coming. The speakers will remain on sale while supplies last.  “Over the past eight years, we’ve had the pleasure of working closely with Idea and are proud of what we’ve achieved,” a Sonos spokesperson told The Verge, adding that “our work together has largely wound down and we won’t be releasing new products as partners.”  Besides the original Symfonisk lamp and bookshelf speakers, the Sonos/Ikea partnership also yielded the Symfonisk floor lamp speaker (which came with a bamboo light shade—again, very Ikea), an updated Symfonisk Speaker Lamp 2, and a Symfonisk picture-frame speaker. (Tech Advisor, our sibling publication, was only so-so about the latter product, although it’s still a nifty idea.)  The breakup between Sonos and Ikea is disappointing for a couple of key reasons. For starters, the partnership inspired some of the most cleverly designed speakers we’ve ever tested—a floor lamp that’s also a speaker? Really? Yes, really.  Also, Ikea’s Symfonisk speakers were surprisingly affordable, with the original Symfonisk speaker retailing for a mere $99, compared to $199 for the cheapest (at the time) Sonos speaker.  Word that Sonos won’t make any more speakers with Ikea comes roughly two months after we learned that Sonos won’t be going into the streaming-video business—a wise move.  Meanwhile, Sonos continues to forge ahead with fixes for its much-maligned app. The company remains in a defensive crouch over the poorly received app revamp, which was slammed upon release last year for its spotty performance and array of dropped features.  Indeed, Sonos’s app update was such a disaster that then-CEO Patrick Spence, who once floated the idea of bringing back the old app before walking back his remarks, stepped down from his position in early 2025. Read...

TechHive Editors Choice At a glanceExpert`s Rating Pros Excellent 4K video quality, day and night Built-in solar panels keep cameras’ batteries charged 16GB of local storage expandable to 16TB Eufy HomeBase 3 supports up to 16 cameras Cons Opting for HomeKit integration limits video resolution to 1080p External solar panels must be purchased separately if needed Our Verdict The EufyCam S3 Pro 2-Cam Kit delivers sharp, reliable, and fully independent home security without locking you into ongoing fees. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Best Prices Today: EufyCam S3 Pro 2-camera Kit Retailer Price $549.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Cloud subscriptions that lock your security camera footage behind a monthly fee are a frustrating reality for homeowners. The EufyCam S3 Pro 2-Cam Kit offers a way out. With 4K video resolution, smart AI detection, and solar panels integrated into the two cameras, it delivers top-shelf performance without roping you into a payment plan. Eufy does offer cloud storage as an option, but the cameras in this offering store their recordings locally on Eufy’s HomeBase 3 hub—a NAS box (network-attached storage), essentially—enhancing your privacy while saving you money on subscription fees. EufyCam S3 Pro cameras with a HomeBase 3 base station are a compelling video-based home-security package. Design and features The EufyCam S3 Pro cameras have a bullet-style body with a white finish and a black face. Each camera has a solar panel on top, neatly integrated into the design rather than bolted on as an afterthought. It’s a clean, functional look that fits whether you’re mounting them on brick, siding, wood, or stucco. The cameras are strongly protected from the elements, boasting a rating of IP67. Our IP code guide tells that means the cameras can not only withstand a blast from a pressure washer (from a reasonable distance), but they can even withstand being submersed in up to three feet of water for up to 30 minutes. The Eufy S3 Pro cameras have integrated solar panels that allow them to run all day and night with just an hour of direct sunlight.Michael Ansaldo/Foundry The S3 Pro system is packed with serious hardware. Each camera captures video in 4K Ultra HD resolution (that’s 3840 x 2160 pixels), delivering crisp detail that makes it easy to spot faces, license plates, and other important features. A 135-degree field of view provides wide coverage without the heavy barrel distortion you sometimes get from wide-angle lenses. At night, Eufy’s MaxColor Vision technology kicks in, delivering full-color night vision without needing bright, battery-draining spotlights. Instead, the cameras rely on a larger sensor and wider f/1.0 aperture to pull in enough light naturally. Powering the system is Eufy’s SolarPlus 2.0 technology. The cameras use a 13,000mAh battery that Eufy says will keep them running for up to a year on a single charge with just an hour of direct sunlight a day. To give homeowners even more flexibility when it comes to mounting the cameras, Eufy offers external solar panels for $29.99 each. You can add one and position it for the best sun exposure even if your ideal camera placement is in permanent shade. For motion detection, the S3 Pro pairs radar sensing with conventional passive infrared (PIR) to better separate real threats from moving branches or passing cars. AI-powered recognition also sorts motion events into categories—people, vehicles, pets, and faces—so you’re not constantly bombarded with unnecessary notifications. You can also create privacy zones to block out parts of the frame you don’t want recorded, which is handy if your cameras overlook a neighbor’s property. The Eufy Security app provides control over the camera and its live feed as well as the HomeBase 3 hub. Michael Ansaldo/Foundry The audio features are just as strong. Two-way audio lets you hear and speak through the cameras, with built-in AI noise reduction that helps voices come through clearly even from 20 to 25 feet away. If you need to scare someone off, each camera also comes equipped with a 100dB siren and customizable voice warnings. Footage is stored locally on the included Eufy HomeBase 3, which has 16GB of built-in storage. That’s not a lot, but it can be easily expanded up to 16TB by plugging in an internal 2.5-inch SATA hard drive or SSD. A single HomeBase 3 can host up to 16 Eufy cameras, including most Eufy video doorbells and floodlight cameras. And while Eufy doesn’t yet have a robust home security platform beyond its cameras, its NAS box can also monitor Eufy’s motion and door/window sensors. Local storage means no cloud fees, no mandatory subscriptions, and no dependence on third-party servers for your data. The HomeBase 3 has dual USB-A ports in back that you can use to charge the cameras and to back up its internal storage. If you want another layer of backup protection, you can sign up for an optional cloud backup service: Eufy’s cloud plans, which start at $0.99 for the first month and $3.99/month after that for a single device. A $13.99/month Plus Plan covers all devices and stores videos for 30 days. The S3 Pro works with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit, including HomeKit Secure Video. There is a small tradeoff to using HomeKit, however; video resolution gets capped at 1080p instead of 4K. It’s a limitation that won’t matter to everyone, but it’s worth knowing up front. Setup and performance Getting the EufyCam S3 Pro system up and running is about as easy as it gets. The cameras come with everything you need, including sturdy wall mounts and clear instructions that walk you through each step. Simply plug the HomeBase 3 into your router, scan a QR code on the bottom with the Eufy Security app, and follow the prompts to complete the connection. You then press the sync button on each camera to pair it to the HomeBase. Once paired, the HomeBase manages video storage, powers the AI features, and acts as the brains behind the whole setup. The Eufy HomeBase 3 network-attached storage device (shown here next to a Ring Alarm Pro with dual battery packs) comes with 16GB of storage for video recordings, but an internal SATA bay can host up to a 16TB hard drive or SSD.Michael Brown/Foundry In daylight, the S3 Pro’s video quality stands out. Footage is sharp and vibrant, with colors that look natural instead of overly boosted. Details like faces, clothing, and license plates stay clear even when you zoom in. Motion detection also works well right out of the box (although you can adjust sensitivity to tailor detection to your liking). The combination of radar and infrared sensing does a good job of catching real activity while ignoring typical false alarms like tree branches or passing shadows. Image quality holds up impressively after dark. Footage stays in color even when streetlights or porch lights are scarce, making it much easier to pick out details like clothing color, car models, or faces that would blur together in a standard black-and-white feed. You don’t need to squint at muddy images or guess what you’re seeing—what’s recorded at night looks almost as sharp and recognizable as daytime footage. Dual USB-A ports on the back of the Eufy HomeBase 3 can be used to make back-up copies of the video recordings stored on the device and to charge the batteries on the cameras if their solar panels don’t get enough sunlight to do the job.Michael Brown/Foundry Using the Eufy Security app is smooth and intuitive. Live feeds, recordings, and settings are easy to find, and you can jump between cameras quickly. Notifications arrive promptly and include short AI-powered summaries, so you can tell at a glance whether it’s a person at your door or just your neighbor’s cat wandering by. This review is part of TechHive’s in-depth coverage of the best home security cameras. Battery life and solar charging are also strong points. Once installed, the cameras hold their charge steadily, with the built-in panels easily topping off the battery. Placement still matters—put the cameras where they’ll get good light exposure—but if you can’t, the external solar panel is worth considering. Should you buy the EufyCam S3 Pro 2-Cam Kit? At $549.99, the eufyCam S3 Pro 2-Cam Kit offers a compelling package for those seeking high-quality home security without recurring fees. If you’re looking for a reliable, high-quality home security solution that puts you in control of your data and costs, the EufyCam S3 Pro 2-Cam Kit is an easy recommendation. It’s one of the best options out there for buyers who want premium features without getting locked into monthly fees. Read...

In 2022-2023, AI-powered PCs made quite a splash with their automatic generation and built-in virtual assistants. Those features are cool, sure, but they’re a little gimmicky at first blush. That said, amid the hype, the real standout feature emerged: battery life. Thanks to smarter resource management and power-efficient chip architecture, AI PCs became long-lasting devices that didn’t need to be plugged in all the time. Let’s take flying cross-country with a traditional laptop, for instance. You’d probably be anxiously keeping an eye on your battery icon throughout the flight, but with an AI PC you wouldn’t have to think twice about it. The longest-lasting laptop we’ve tested, Lenovo’s ThinkPad T14s Gen 6, delivers nearly 24 hours on a single charge in our testing — and it’s no longer an outlier. Let’s dig into why. Further reading: The best laptops we’ve tested The heart of efficiency: A smarter, specialized chip The new Neural Processing Units (aka the NPU) inside of Copilot+ PCs is where some of the magic happens, as it’s more energy-efficient than a traditional processor with the x86 architecture. CPUs and GPUs can be a massive drain on a laptop’s battery, especially if both are active at the same time. They also aren’t optimized for AI tasks. The NPU is different from a traditional processor in that it’s a specialized hardware chip that runs AI workloads like image recognition and real-time language translation. Offloading these intensive jobs allows the CPU and GPU to idle more often, effectively cutting down on power consumption. The NPU also gets a nice boost from its architecture, which uses parallel processing and lower clock speeds. Parallel processing allows the NPU handle multiple tasks simultaneously instead of completing them one at a time. By breaking these tasks into smaller chunks and then executing them at the same time, the laptop can return to idle mode more quickly, thus conserving energy. As for the clock speed, a lower one consumes less power than a higher one. The less power the NPU uses, the longer the battery lasts. Snapdragon X and the rise of CPU efficiency Another game-changer is Arm-based Snapdragon processor, which uses a mix of specialized cores–this is what makes them so efficient and consume less power. In fact, they’re so efficient we’ve seen one AI PC last up to 24 hours on a single charge. That sort of longevity means that the laptop should last an entire work or school day, with extra juice to spare. this snapdragon laptop can last 24 hours Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 Read our review The key here is how the chip uses its “Performance” cores for demanding jobs (3D design or video rendering) and “Efficient” cores for lighter tasks (checking e-mail or playing music). The switching between these cores depends on the type of workload. This allows the system to deliver just the right amount of processing power when needed, so it shouldn’t waste power on simpler tasks, resulting in a smooth multitasking experience as well as improved energy conservation. These processors know how to handle idle time, too. So, when a laptop isn’t being used, the processor enters an ultra-low power mode, so it shouldn’t waste much, if any, energy. Intel’s rival “Lunar Lake” laptops, which arrived hot on the heels of Snapdragon X with its own NPU in tow, also deliver delightfully long battery life. Meanwhile, while AMD’s latest chips focus more on driving performance, Ryzen laptops have increased their endurance significantly over the last year. Sure, the parallel-processing NPU might pick up slack, but a large part of this exciting leap-forward in laptop battery life is being driven by improvements to overall CPU efficiency. AI-driven software optimization It’s not just the hardware that’s impressive–AI-driven software optimization plays a big part as well. At the crux, it intelligently manages how the system uses resources. For example, instead of constantly syncing files to the cloud like with OneDrive or Google Drive, an AI PC can reduce the syncing frequency when it’s on battery power or schedules it for moments when the laptop isn’t in use. The software also suppresses unnecessary notifications from social apps and shuts down background processes that haven’t been used in a while. It’s basically designed to adapt to your unique usage patterns and learning your daily habits. AI can even protect your battery’s health with something called “Intelligent Charging.” It does this by learning your routine; it’ll slow down charging overnight or stop the battery from charging at the 80-85 mark (if you keep your laptop plugged in overnight). The reason for this cap is because lithium-ion batteries degrade faster when they’re constantly charged to 100 percent. Plus, AI can even monitor the internal temperature of your machine, slowing down the charge if things get too hot. Heat can increase energy consumption and shorten a battery’s lifespan. Looking ahead: A more power-efficient future With NPUs, CPUs, and machine learning constantly evolving, we’re heading towards a future where bad battery life is a thing of the past. The combination of smarter hardware and software will only improve with time–I’m confident in this. If you’re tired of constantly monitoring your battery, it might be time to welcome this new wave of AI-powered PCs with open arms. Read...

Looking for new ways to turn free video streamers into paid ones, YouTube is kicking the tires on a subscription option that will ring a bell for Spotify users.  A trial for a two-person YouTube Premium tier is now underway in India, France, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, and the option is striking similar to Spotify’s Duo tier, which allows for two members of the same household to share a single subscription, according to Money Control.  YouTube confirmed the pilot program to TechCrunch, with a spokesperson adding that the streamer is “experimenting with new ways to provide greater flexibility and value to our YouTube Premium subscribers, including offering a two-person Premium plan option in some countries.”  The new two-person YouTube Premium plan offers the same benefits as existing YouTube Premium tiers, including ad-free streaming, downloads for offline viewing, and the ability to stream videos in the background.  Like Spotify’s Duo tier, the two-person YouTube plan is especially enticing for couples and roommates, who can share a single subscription at a discount while still maintaining their own profiles.  Spotify Duo, for example, costs $16.99 a month for two people under the same roof, versus $11.99 a month for just a single user. That means a pair of roomies could pay roughly $8.50 each per month by going Dutch on a Duo subscription, a nice 29 percent savings compared to separate Individual plans.  It’s not clear what YouTube might charge for a two-person Premium plan in the U.S., but it’s reasonable to assume a similar discount would be on offer.  The two-person YouTube Premium trial comes roughly two months after the rollout of YouTube Premium Lite, a new YouTube tier that serves up a cheaper paid YouTube plan with some significant tradeoffs.  YouTube Premium Lite costs just $7.99 a month, significantly less than the standard $13.99/month Premium Individual plan. In exchange, you get an ad-free streaming experience for “most” (but not all) YouTube videos, but you also miss out on key Premium Individual features, including ad-free YouTube Music, video downloads, and background video playback. Read...

“Computer, do this.” It’s been one future that sci-fi has promised since Star Trek. Microsoft now says that that future is arriving, at least within a small corner of Windows 11. Microsoft is promising that you’ll be able to use natural language to change aspects of your Windows 11 Settings menu, and Windows will go out and make those changes for you using “agents,” or small bits of AI that will work on your behalf — at least if you own a Copilot+ PC with an AI-accelerating NPU onboard. Microsoft has begun to use its Surface devices as a showcase for its latest software, and the new 13-inch Surface Laptop and 12-inch Surface Pro are no exception. They’ll serve as launch vehicles for Windows Recall, semantic search, and Click-to-Do, but also brand new features like agentic AI and relighting features for Photos, object editing and sticker generation for Paint, and more. Agentic AI comes to Windows The unexpected addition to Microsoft’s AI stable is an AI “agent” that will manage individual settings within Windows, Microsoft said. This is something Microsoft originally promised Copilot would offer, but the technology never progressed past simple tasks like turning on dark mode. Microsoft then pulled the feature back, with the feature providing guides in how to do what you wanted, rather than actually performing the task for you. The agentic search capability feels more what people may have hoped for when they heard of the concept of AI within Windows. Now, you’ll be able to tell Windows 11’s Settings what to do with natural language, according to Microsoft, and Settings will either tell you what to do — or, with your permission — actually perform the action for you. In the examples Microsoft is showing, “fixing it” might require one or more actions. Notice how the term “Fix It” is being used here. Microsoft It won’t just be a few things, either. Microsoft is promising that you’ll be able to manage “thousands” of individual settings using this agentic AI. “Today marks the next chapter in our AI journey, unlocking even more experiences that take your productivity, creativity and connection to the next level,” said Navjot Virk, corporate vice president of Windows Experiences. “We believe that technology should work alongside you, enabling you to do more.” Microsoft is showing off an agent, where a user complains about a problem and the AI fixes it.Microsoft AI upgrades to Paint, Photos, and Snipping Tool The new Relight AI feature within Photos is a bit on the subtle side. If you’re an average photographer, you know that lighting can make or break a photo; a backlit shot, for example, may cast the subject into shadow. Now, Photos will allow you to create multiple AI-generated lighting sources, and place them in your photo, controlling their brightness and color. Don’t think of these as floating spheres of light. Instead, this feature will simulate what would happen if you used various types of actual lights, placing them around the room (and out of frame) to light your photo’s subject. I still don’t know why Microsoft continues to divide specific functions inside Paint and Photos into separate tools, but it is. In Paint, Microsoft is adding Object Select. This feels a bit more like the Magic Eraser object editing features that Google has added, or that you can specify within Photoshop. In any case, Object Select promises to allow you to add generative add, erase, and fill capabilities to a specific object, rather than part of the scene. It’s the difference between trying to manually “brush out” a tractor from a countryside scene, and allowing AI to identify and then remove the tractor in one fell swoop. An example of the new AI-powered lighting app within Photos.Microsoft It feels like that same technology is being adapted to the Windows Snipping Tool, too. Microsoft is saying that this updated Snipping Tool can “interpret the intent of what you’re trying to capture,” possibly minimizing the time it might take for you to grab the perfect snip. Microsoft is also adding a sticker generator to Paint, which feels a lot like the memoji found within iOS, but without the ability to animate. You’ll be able to cut and paste these new stickers into various chats and other apps, Microsoft promises. (That almost certainly implies that a dedicated sticker creator is coming to Teams, eventually.) The new sticker generator for Paint.Microsoft Microsoft also appears to be committing to the upgraded Start menu that includes the Phone Link sidebar. Microsoft first previewed this feature last June, but began showing it off in the context of both Android and iPhones this January. Essentially, this “sidebar” serves as a dashboard for the phone you have in your pocket: how many messages and unanswered calls you have waiting, and (in the case of Android) a quick shortcut to photos you may have snapped with your phone, too. Microsoft executives also alluded to new features which are coming, too, which will include updates to the Microsoft Store, “AI actions within File Explorer,” and Microsoft Edge Game Assist, which can serve as a help guide while you game. Microsoft’s updated Start menu for Windows 11 includes a small dashbar for your phone, too.Microsoft How real is all this? At this point it’s hard to say how near these features are to becoming reality. Microsoft tends to test new features slowly, and tends to roll them out first for Copilot+ PCs running on Qualcomm’s Arm processor. That’s a thin slice of the available PC market. Microsoft has steadily announced the progression of Recall, the improved search, and Click-to-Do, from their announcement a year ago to trials on Copilot+ PCs powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon chip, to an expansion to Copilot+ PCs with AMD and Intel chips inside. Microsoft hasn’t said anything about how the additional, brand-new features will deploy, but they’ll probably be on a conservative timeline, too. It’s also worth noting that Microsoft announced another intriguing AI feature, Copilot Vision, about a month ago. I have yet to be able to make it work in a usable form. Any new AI features should probably move forward at a similarly slow pace. Smaller features, though, like Relight, tend to deploy more quickly. It’s important to note that Microsoft hasn’t announced any timelines for these features, but I’d expect Microsoft to deploy its smaller tweaks to Paint and Photos before the more significant updates to Settings debut. Read...