At a glanceExpert`s Rating Pros Great ergonomics and build quality Superb scroll wheel with adjustable resistance Long battery life and reliable sensor Cons Heavy and slightly sluggish when moving quickly Limited ability to create custom macros Scroll wheel feels a little loose in free position Our Verdict The Logitech MX Master 4 shines where it belongs—on your desk. Built for productivity, not gaming, its ergonomics, materials, and scroll wheel feel make it a joy to use every day. I’d like a bit more software flexibility and a lighter weight, but overall, Logitech has refined a classic into something excellent. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Best Prices Today: Logitech MX Master 4 Retailer Price $119.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Best Prices Today: Check today’s prices Picking up the Logitech MX Master 4 for the first time, I’m struck by how well it fits in my hand. Its shape is just right, with a slope that allows the wrist to rest naturally and the thumb to fall onto the buttons. It’s a mouse that feels long enough to keep your fingers from hitting the touch buttons–something that has annoyed me on many other models. The MX Master 4 isn’t about speed or RGB lights, it’s about comfort, precision, and getting work done. In practical use, the MX Master 4 is still a delight. The sensor is extremely accurate, it works on almost any surface–even glass–and the response is immediate. Logitech The surface is solid, the materials feel premium and the clicking sounds are almost non-existent. The right and left buttons are extremely quiet and very sensitive, which is perfect in open-plan office environments but takes some getting used to. I quickly realize I’m pressing too lightly at first, but after a few days of use everything feels natural.The weight, on the other hand, is noticeable. The mouse is heavy, which gives a solid feeling, but it also becomes sluggish to move quickly. For me, who mostly works in editing and office programs, this isn’t a disadvantage per se, but when I try to play a few rounds in FPS games, it feels that this is not the right mouse for that purpose. Logitech MX Master 4: Scroll wheel and control The magnetic scroll wheel is absolutely amazing! You can switch between distinct incremental scrolling and free scrolling that just spins on for ages. It’s handy, especially when I’m working in long documents or browsing through image archives. At the same time, it has a small drawback: when moving quickly, the wheel can feel a little loose, almost like it’s living its own life for a split second. This doesn’t bother you in everyday use, but it’s noticeable when the pace picks up. Under the thumb is another scroll wheel, the horizontal scroll. It took a few days to get used to, but it’s really handy when you’re working in Excel, timelines in video editing or large whiteboard programs like Miro.One novelty is the gesture button–holding it down and dragging the mouse in different directions lets you assign it its own functions. It’s clever in theory, but in practice I rarely use it. Most of the time, pressing keyboard shortcuts is faster than remembering which movement does what. Logitech MX Master 4: Software All customization is done via Logitech’s Logi Options software. There you can adjust haptics, scroll resistance, brightness, and define what each key should do in different programs. It works perfectly for app-specific commands and by default the thumb buttons are programmed to general “undo” and “ready.”The software is very focused on workflows in specific apps rather than free automation. For me, who likes to customize everything to my own shortcuts, it feels somewhat limited. You can build longer command chains or script your own sequences, but functionally it’s limited which is a shame. .Logitech Logitech MX Master 4: User experience In practical use, the MX Master 4 is still a delight. The sensor is extremely accurate, it works on almost any surface–even glass–and the response is immediate. I especially appreciate how smooth the feel is over time: no lag, no jerks, just steady precision. Battery life is also impressive. After several weeks of daily use, I still have plenty of charge left, and charging it is quick via USB-C. I like the fact that I can continue to use the mouse while it is charging, something many manufacturers still miss.The only thing that grates a bit is the polling speed. At 125 Hz, it doesn’t feel as snappy as a real gaming mouse, and it’s noticeable when I try to spin quickly or aim accurately in games. But again, this isn’t a gaming mouse, and that’s not the point. Specifications Manufacturer: LogitechTested: October 2025Number of buttons: 8Scroll wheel: Yes, Magspeed scroll wheel with smart shiftingWireless technology: Bluetooth Low EnergyBattery life: 70 daysSensor technology: High precision darkfieldDPI (minimum and maximum value): 200-8,000 (can be set in steps of 50 dpi)Price: $119.99 Rating: 4 out of 5 Read...

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It’s hard to think of any other company that has shaped the labor market as much as Amazon has over the past two decades. Now, internal documents and interviews obtained by the New York Times point to the next far-reaching change. According to the insider report, Amazon is planning to replace around 600,000 jobs in the United States with robots by 2033. Up to 75 percent of all operational processes will be automated in the future. Replacing human workers with robots to save billions of dollars Since 2018, the number of Amazon employees in the US has more than tripled to almost 1.2 million. Nevertheless, managers have reportedly informed the board last year that the company will not need to hire any more US employees in the future thanks to advancements in robot automation—even if sales double by 2033. According to internal documents, around 160,000 jobs could be lost by 2027, particularly in logistics and warehousing. In the long term, Amazon plans to automate around 75 percent of all activities by 2033, which will save the company up to $12.6 billion (and according to projections, this will reduce the cost to sell each product by about 30 cents). Amazon already employs more than 1 million robots that support 1.6 million human workers. In the future, however, machines will no longer just help but completely take over many tasks—even beyond the warehouse. Amazon is already working on robots for package delivery. According to the New York Times, Amazon is preemptively dodging criticism by molding its communication. Terms like “automation” and “artificial intelligence” are to be avoided in public. Instead, the company wants to talk about “advanced technology” or “cobots” (i.e., robots that work together with humans). Amazon is also planning to increase involvement in charitable projects to soften negative headlines. Amazon rejects the implications Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel told The Verge that the documents came from an internal team and do not reflect the company’s overall strategy. Many internal papers are drafts or brainstorms that do not reflect the current state or long-term planning, she says. At the same time, Amazon points out that it’s actively recruiting staff, with about 250,000 new jobs to be created over the Christmas period. The company didn’t say how many of these jobs will be permanent. Amazon also told the NYT that its managers haven’t been instructed to avoid using certain terms in connection with robotics, and that its involvement in charity and the community has nothing to do with the company’s automation plans. The impact of Amazon’s robot strategy Amazon has relied on robot technology for years. Back in 2012, the company bought robotics manufacturer Kiva Systems for $775 million. Since then, the company has been massively driving forward the automation of its warehouses and delivery processes. Thousands of robots are already being used in newer logistics centers such as in Shreveport, Louisiana. According to internal calculations, Amazon was able to reduce the number of employees there by a quarter in the first year, while at the same time increasing throughput. However, Amazon emphasizes that increasing automation will also create new job profiles, for example in the areas of maintenance, programming, and monitoring of robotic systems. For consumers, Amazon’s increasing use of robots is unlikely to be noticeable in the short term. Packages may even arrive faster. In the long term, however, the trend could have an impact on the labor market in the US—and possibly also on prices, service quality, and the treatment of employees in online retail in general. Economist and Nobel Prize winner Daron Acemoglu warns of the possible consequences: should Amazon realize its plans, the company “will become a net job destroyer, not a net job creator.” There is also a risk that other companies will follow suit if full automation proves to be financially profitable for Amazon. 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...

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Recall is a feature in Windows 11 that regularly creates screen recordings and saves them locally. This also involves processing with AI so that users can search through the data. The aim is to make past work steps, websites, or documents retrievable via a search feature. Microsoft first introduced Recall in 2024, but withdrew it after massive criticism due to insufficient security. The feature has been integrated again since the current versions of Windows 11 from 24H2. In Europe, it is available as an opt-in and can be completely deactivated or removed. Access is via a timeline or by entering keywords in the search. The results appear regardless of the program or browser window in which the content was originally visible. Chris Hoffman / Foundry Tip: If you are using Windows 11 Home, you will miss out on the many advantages of the Pro version, which you can get for a significant discount at the PCWorld Software Store. Activation and everyday use Recall is an optional feature in the current versions of Windows 11, which is only offered on Copilot models. This includes computers with a Neural Processing Unit (NPU), at least 16 gigabytes of RAM, and active drive encryption. After installing a corresponding update, the new “Recall and snapshots” section appears in the settings under “Data protection and security.” The feature can be activated here. Sam Singleton The system only starts to capture screenshots after this conscious consent has been given. In practice, Recall checks every five seconds to see if any content has changed and then adds new recordings. After just one working day, several hundred files are created, which can take up several gigabytes of storage space in total. It is operated via a timeline in which you can jump back to specific points in time. Alternatively, a keyword search can be started. One example is entering “orange sofa,” whereupon Recall suggests a shopping page with the product you are looking for. Content from Office documents, PDFs, or locally saved images also appear in the hits. Deactivation via settings and group policies The feature can be paused or completely deactivated at any time via the settings. Companies have further options via group policies. The “Allow Recall to be enabled” policy exists there. If it is set to “Disabled,” the feature disappears completely from the system, the associated files are removed, and a restart completes the process. This method is intended for the Pro and Enterprise editions of Windows. The recall search via keywords divides the results here into text and visual matches. Text matches are assigned to the applications from which the recorded content originates.Mark Hachman / IDG Windows 11 Home users must use the registry editor. Under “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsAI,” a new DWORD value with the name “AllowRecallEnablement” can be created and set to 0. After a restart, all components are removed. Microsoft also offers administrators the PowerShell command “Disable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName ‘Recall’ -Remove” which also removes the feature from the system. Security protection The data that Recall collects remains stored on your own computer. It is not automatically transferred to Microsoft servers or a cloud. To ensure that no one can access these recordings unnoticed, Windows requires you to log in via Windows Hello. This means that you must either enter your PIN or use a biometric method such as fingerprint or facial recognition. The recall search via keywords divides the results here into text and visual matches. Text matches are assigned to the applications from which the recorded content originates.Chris Hoffman / Foundry Windows also protects the recall data with a technology called VBS Enclave. You can imagine this as a closed area in the computer that is separated from all other programs. Only Windows itself is allowed to look into this area. This prevents external programs from simply reading the recall data. This is exactly what has happened in the past. Microsoft therefore withdrew this feature at the end of 2024. Encryption keys are anchored in the device’s TPM chip. In theory, this prevents attackers from reading the database without a valid login. However, our tests have shown that this protection has its limits. If a device is controlled via remote software such as Teamviewer, it is sufficient to enter the PIN to gain access to the entire recall history. Biometric procedures can be bypassed in this scenario. The risk of an external connection allowing access to all stored content remains. Filter mechanisms and their limits To protect sensitive data, Microsoft promises a filter that removes passwords or credit card information from the recordings. In practice, this only works to a limited extent. Although passwords are hidden in bank login windows, user names still appear. Credit card numbers in form fields are recognized in most cases, but in emails or unprotected text documents they end up unchanged in the recordings. Account balances from online banking applications also regularly appear in the database, even if parts of the page are anonymized by the filter. The handling of self-created password lists is also problematic. If a text file does not contain any unique keywords such as “password,” it is saved by Recall without restriction. This means that access data can be searched for in plain text if it is visible on the screen in an unprotected document. Benefits in everyday working life Regardless of the risks, Recall certainly offers advantages. In an environment with many applications open in parallel, the search makes it easier to find your way around. If you switch between projects, you can pick up where you left off with just a few clicks. The feature also saves time when researching on the web when dozens of tabs are open. Instead of laboriously searching through the history, a keyword is enough to open the page you are looking for. Recall can also be helpful for users who frequently work with visual content. A designer reviewing visual material can use the keyword search to find screenshots that were only briefly displayed. In this use case, Recall replaces manual documentation of work steps. Legal framework conditions in Europe The delayed introduction in the European Union shows that the regulatory framework plays a central role. Data protection authorities only gave the green light after Microsoft designed the feature as an opt-in and created the option to uninstall it. Users must actively agree before Recall starts. The European version also allows the feature to be removed completely. Mark Hachman Additional requirements apply for companies. Recall may not be used without the consent of employees. Administrators can control the provision, but cannot force snapshots. Microsoft is thus complying with the General Data Protection Regulation, which sets particularly high standards for the processing of personal data. Weighing up the benefits and risks The tests so far have made it clear that Recall is a tool with considerable potential, but also with clear weaknesses. While local storage and encryption provide a solid foundation, the filters remain unreliable. Confidential information can end up in the database and be accessed remotely. Anyone using Recall must be aware that the added convenience of seamless documentation comes with a loss of control over sensitive data. This may be acceptable on private devices with manageable risks. In a corporate environment, however, the concerns outweigh the benefits. Recall should only be used here after careful consideration if there are clear guidelines on the use and protection of data. Conclusion Recall in Windows 11 is technically mature enough to be used productively, but at the same time not yet reliable enough to dispel security concerns. The feature creates transparency about past work steps, but inevitably also saves content that does not belong in a search database. If you want to use Recall, you should check the settings carefully, adjust filters, and empty the database regularly. For security-conscious users, deactivation via group policies, registry, or Powershell remains a necessary means of minimizing risks. It is to be expected that Microsoft will make improvements, but it is also to be expected that tools will appear that can override Recall. From our point of view, the use of Recall is currently not recommended. Further reading: Windows Recall is too risky for your PC. I can’t recommend it Read...

The Windows Recall feature takes screenshots of the screen content on Copilot PCs at regular intervals and saves them on the local PC. This enables users to search specifically for images, texts, and websites that they’ve loaded in the past. Although Microsoft has once again improved the security of the feature, there are still concerns about data protection. Partly because of Recall, but also because of the dangers of hidden screenshot programs in general, the developers of the Veracrypt encryption software have added a new protection function with the update to version 1.26.24. By default, this new feature prevents the software from taking any screenshots. Anyone or anything that tries to do so will only receive an image of the background. You can deactivate the protection against screen recordings in Veracrypt. However, the new setting will only take effect after restarting Windows. Roland Feist If you need a screenshot from Veracrypt, you must first switch off this protection. To do this, click on Performance and Driver Options in the “Settings” menu and tick the box next to “Disable protection against screenshots and screen recording”. Confirm the warning and the note to restart by clicking OK, close the window with OK, then reboot Windows and restart Veracrypt for the new settings to take effect. Further reading: Windows Recall is too risky for your PC. I can’t recommend it Read...

It was inevitable: Microsoft plans to carve out space on the Windows 11 taskbar for Copilot, while adding “Hey Copilot” as a wake word to trigger interactions with its AI. While the company isn’t making any overt changes to the branding of Windows 11, its executives this week spoke about reinventing the “AI PC,” the first generation of PCs it launched with early NPUs. Microsoft plans to make PCs smarter, including agents that can take actions and granting Copilot Vision more powers. Adding Copilot to the taskbar will actually be the most visible change to the Windows 11 user interface. However, it’s not the one Microsoft is focusing on. Now, it’s time to talk to your PC again. Yusuf Mehdi, the consumer chief marketing officer and executive vice president for Microsoft, said that the first priority of these new AI PCs was voice. “You should be able to interact with it naturally in text and primarily with voice,” he said in a briefing with reporters. “So you should be able to talk to your PC, have it understand you, and then be able to have magic happen from that, as easy as just talking to it.” “Voice will now become the third input mechanism to use in your PC,” Mehdi added. “It doesn’t replace the keyboard, but it will be an additive thing.” In the Windows 11 2023 Update, Cortana was a separate icon on the Windows 11 taskbar, next to the search box.Mark Hachman / IDG With Windows 10 transitioning into an unsupported state (well, kind of), Windows 11 is really the only focus for Microsoft right now. If the company is readying Windows 12, it will certainly be AI first. But for now, the company plans to test out these new features with Windows 11 Insiders in its beta program in the coming weeks. A key point: none of these new features require an NPU or a Copilot+ PC. They’ll be open to all supported Windows 11 PCs. Copilot: Front and center on the Windows taskbar Microsoft took pains to reiterate that these choices are optional. But if you so choose, you will be able to add Copilot to your taskbar. “Our vision is simple yet bold: to make the taskbar a dynamic hub that helps you accomplish more with less effort, transforming everyday interactions into moments of productivity and delight,” Microsoft said in a blog post. This is what the Windows 11 taskbar will look like now: Copilot essentially replaces the Search box. The Copilot box apparently will serve as a replacement for the existing Search box within Windows 11, though it will handle search queries as well. Importantly, the Copilot box will also include icons for Copilot Vision and Voice, tacitly encouraging you to let Copilot see your screen and hear you. It’s unclear if Copilot is the default. Microsoft says it relies on existing Windows APIs to return apps, files, and settings, without accessing your content. Still, its presence on the screen and taskbar serves as a reminder to use Copilot. Microsoft gives your hands a break with “Hey Copilot” It’s ironic that Microsoft is letting go of Windows 10 this week, since Cortana was one of its flagship features — and “Hey Cortana” was the way to wake it. Cortana, of course, suffered an ignominious deprecation at the hands of the company. In May, Microsoft signaled that “Hey Copilot” would be the trigger to wake Copilot in Windows 11. This feature — now called Voice Mode — is present in the Copilot options. According to Mehdi, it will reach general availability on millions of PCs this week. Saying “Goodbye” will close Copilot, the company said. There’s an ongoing tension with the way people were “trained” to type in search terms, Mehdi said, especially short searches that produced broad results. Now, prompts reward longer inputs, but people are reluctant to type those in because they don’t know what to write. Cortana did appear for a brief time in Windows 11.Mark Hachman / IDG “What we find with Copilot is people don’t know exactly what they want to say,” Mehdi said. “They don’t know exactly what they want to ask or how to ask it. And so with voice, it becomes much simpler, less precise than when you have to have it with a bunch of prompted text.” “I think that’s really kind of the key tipping point, is that you’re able to now easily talk to it and get what you want,” Mehdi said. Will office workers want to talk to their PCs? It’s optional The challenge is also cultural. Can you imagine yourself talking to a PC inside a shared office, even with cubicles, with dozens of coworkers listening in? According to Microsoft, you will: “Hundreds of millions of people today talk for billions of minutes in offices with headphones,” Mehdi said. “They found a way to make it work.” Mehdi also used a specific word to describe how users orally interact with their PCs: not talking “to” the computer, and not talking “with” it, either — but talking “through” it. “And I think that this change to talk with and talk to will come to reality, and we’ll see this thing really take off,” he said. If you’re dead set against talking to — er, through — your PC, there’s another option: Microsoft is adding the ability to interact with Copilot Vision via text. Even dictation on iPhones has helped Microsoft’s user base become more comfortable talking to/through their devices, Microsoft says.Apple Copilot Vision basically sees what you see on your PC’s screen. It doesn’t require an NPU, though my tests found that using it with a Copilot+ equipped PC certainly helped. (Some laptops I used wouldn’t work with Copilot PC, though that was early in the process.) In my test of Copilot Vision, I found it was lousy in helping with older games, but offered real potential in walking you through apps and procedures that you were unfamiliar with. It’s worth noting, though, that Microsoft is testing a Gaming Copilot specifically to help in certain tasks and is launching it with the ROG Xbox Ally. The problem? Copilot Vision was, at the time, all voice driven. Not everybody wants to broadcast to an office or other workspace that they don’t know how to interact with Photoshop. Now Microsoft is granting Copilot Vision an option for text interaction, just like Copilot. “So in the appropriate circumstances, if you want to type in, you can do that,” Mehdi said. It’s not quite clear whether people will want to talk to, with, or through their PCs. I’ve been in a lot of very quiet offices where no one says a word. But Microsoft seems set on making it as comfortable as it can to talk or chat with Copilot. The important thing for the company is that you’re using it. Read...

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