On Friday, Microsoft released a pair of new builds to test new Windows 11 features, offering improved cloud search to Copilot+ PC owners, alongside a nifty new sharing and Start menu interface for Windows users in general. Sometimes, Windows builds are a bit like a railyard, with tracks and switches and roundabouts. Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 22635.4950 (KB5052078) is headed to the Beta Channel, for those who skipped an earlier release at the end of January. Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.3291 (KB5052080) is a separate, optional release headed to both the Beta and Dev Channels. Microsoft will make this second release a recommended one in the second half of the year, so the two builds will combine. The Windows 11 26120.3291 build is the simpler addition, so let’s start there. In January, Microsoft began testing its semantic search option: allowing users to search by description, rather than filename. You can already sort of do this within the Photos app within Windows, where searching “beach” can return scenes from a summer vacation. In much the same way, you can now search the cloud using similar descriptive terms. The new feature allows you to use Windows search to search the cloud, but also to perform that search using the search box on the Windows taskbar. Note that this feature is still confined to Qualcomm-powered Snapdragon PCs, not those powered by AMD or Intel. Semantic search within Windows 11, as tested by Microsoft.Microsoft The downside, however, is that Recall is also in the process of being upgraded, and any and all snapshots you’ve taken with Recall will be erased. Yes, you’ll have to start over. Microsoft isn’t saying what exactly in Recall is being upgraded, but your store of snapshots will temporarily go away. The more advanced Windows Insider 22635.4950 build is testing two new features, one of which seems to be brand new: a new Share interface. Sharing files on a Windows PC has always posed a problem: Should they be emailed? Uploaded to OneDrive? Shared locally using a USB key? Often, you’ve made that decision by right-clicking the file and then selecting from one or more options. A new sharing interface offers a drag-and-drop alternative. The new sharing interface reminds me of Windows Snap: Normally, you drag your mouse to the top of the screen to choose from a number of options to subdivide your screen. The new Share mechanism works similarly: With the file selected by your mouse, you drag it to the top of your screen to select various options. The new Windows 11 Share interface being tested by Microsoft.Microsoft However, Microsoft is also adding new tweaks to the Start menu, which the company has shown off before. You’ll be able to configure Start in a couple of ways: via a new grid view, organized alphabetically; as well as a new “categories” view. The first is pretty straightforward, and looks like just another tweak to the alphabetized “All” view already in place. The new Category view will auto-organize apps into different categories, based upon what Microsoft knows about the app and how frequently it’s used. “We plan to begin rolling this out to Windows Insiders who are receiving updates based on Windows 11, version 24H2 in the Dev and Beta Channels soon,” Microsoft said. Windows 11’s new category view for the Start menu.Microsoft As always, Microsoft doesn’t always deliver all of the new features right away, even if you subscribe to the Insider channels. Make sure you have the toggle turned on within Windows Update, to get the latest updates as they become available. Read...

The Auditor-General`s office wants the government to do long-term planning like councils, who have done well despite `significant uncertainty` over transport and water policy. Read...

Microsoft tips and tests new Windows 11 features throughout the year, as part of its Windows Insider programs. But there’s an almost surefire way to tell what features will actually arrive on your PC in the near future: a new Windows 11 Release Preview build. And one just dropped. Microsoft released Windows 11 Build 26100.3321 to the Release Preview Channel this week, with a list of new features, including a new battery icon, an improved File Explorer, and tweaks to the Windows Spotlight screensaver. Given that it’s a “Release Preview,” Microsoft should be releasing it relatively soon. This collection of new features isn’t as momentous as, say, a fall feature release. What’s important about it is the relative certainty that, even if you don’t opt in for the Release Preview build, these features should be pushed to mainstream PCs. Let’s look at what to expect. A sweet new battery icon In January, Microsoft announced a color-coded battery icon for your Taskbar, along with a percentage indicator. Microsoft has this pegged as the first feature within the new Windows 11 build. Microsoft Is this a big deal? No more than a warning light on your dashboard that indicates that your car might be low on gas. But if you’ve ever had “battery anxiety,” or the fear that your laptop will run out of juice at the worst possible moment, the combination of a visual indicator and a percentage number should reassure even the most nervous person about how much battery life your laptop will have. You’ll be able to manage it via the Windows 11 Settings menu. Turn off the annoying ‘backup’ reminder in File Explorer Microsoft really, really wants you to back up your data onto OneDrive with the Windows Backup app, which requires you to constantly upload files from your desktop, Documents, and other libray folders into the cloud. But doing so can put pressure on your broadband cap, which is one of the reasons I turn off Backup. Mark Hachman / Foundry Recently, Microsoft has begun seeding File Explorer with reminders (or ads) to back up your PC with Backup, and the new change allows you to turn off or snooze the reminder. Thank goodness! Windows Spotlight improvements One of my favorite features within Windows is Windows Spotlight, the collection of awesome nature photography which serves as a custom Windows desktop. Every so often, I want to know exactly what I’m seeing, and where I can learn more about it. Spotlight puts a small “Learn more about this picture” icon on your desktop, but it’s sometimes lost in the clutter of any other desktop icons. This new icon will live in the bottom right-hand corner of your screen, and will become a bit more visible with the latest update. An earlier build of Windows 11 called out Windows Spotlight in this manner, which looks rather nice. Now, some of this information will display just by hovering over the icon.Microsoft Spotlight images can also be used for your lock screen. The new update will allow you to learn more about them with a “Like” button that reinforces to Windows that you want to see more of the same. Taskbar sharing Taskbar sharing will allow you to share files via a “jump list” on the taskbar. Think of an app like Microsoft Word, which may have access to several files at once. According to this update, you should be able to right-click the app, select the file, and then share it. Narrator’s updated scan mode Let’s face it: Narrator is not a feature many of us are forced to use. But Microsoft has always been conscious of enabling people with differing levels of abilities to use Windows. These new capabilities enhance Narrator’s scan mode: “Skip past links (n) allows you to go to the text after a link,” Microsoft says. “Use the comma (,) to jump to the start of an item (large table, long list, or another item.) Use the period (.) to jump to the end of an item. This is most helpful when you read long emails, news articles, and wiki pages. Jump to lists (l) allows you to quickly access a list on a web page or in a document.” Microsoft also has several fixes, such as a solution for the laggy way in which right-click menus open slowly when accessing files stored in OneDrive, or the annoying bug that kicks your PC’s volume up to 100 percent when awakened from sleep mode. When will these new Windows features all arrive? All of these features and fixes will either roll out gradually or all at once within the Windows 11 Release Preview build, depending on how Microsoft treats your PC. When will these new features move out of the Release Preview build and be pushed to the general public? Right now, we can’t say. A year or so ago, Microsoft moved to a series of “Moments,” where incremental updates would add new features every so often. But Microsoft moved back to a more traditional release cadence in 2024, meaning that they could be saved up until the more traditional September / October timeframe for new feature updates. Microsoft, of course, could decide to quietly release them, too, whenever it likes. Again, the fact that these new features are within the Release Preview build makes it almost a certainty that they’re coming to your PC. The question is when. Read...

Decades after Microsoft shipped Windows, there’s still no mechanism for moving everything from one PC to another, in much the same way Android or iOS sets up a new device. But a solution may be on the way: MigrationApp, a tool that is seemingly hidden within new test builds of Windows. Fingers crossed that MigrationApp (or Windows Migrate) is what it seems: a one-stop, one-size-fits-all solution to move every file on your existing PC to a new PC. To date, the only application that I’ve ever seen (and used) that does this is Laplink’s PCMover, which basically allows you to clone an entire PC’s file structure on to a new PC. (The $59.95 PCMover Professional version allows you to pick and choose which files you wish to transfer between PCs.) Otherwise, the only app Windows offers is Windows Backup, which I actively dislike. Why? Because Backup seems to be designed to do what you want: back up files on one PC, and then copy them over (restore them) to another PC. And for PCs whose contents rest entirely in the Photos, Documents, and other library files, Backup works. Backup also restores Windows apps you bought or downloaded from the Microsoft Store. Unfortunately, Windows PCs typically include more files than just that. Did you download Adobe Photoshop or Premiere versus the Creative Cloud app? None of those will transfer over. Ditto for any games that you may have downloaded from Steam or Epic. What about AI apps, or models? Nope. General utilities, like the kind you downloaded ages ago and might use daily, won’t either. Anyone who’s used a smartphone, however, knows that easy-peasy data migration is one of the best things a phone offers. Google offers its own solution, as does Apple. Samsung does too. Do you want to move from Android to an iPhone? Not a problem. Dongle’s “UI reconstruction” of the new Windows 11 MigrationApp. (Screenshot by Mark Hachman; images created by Dongle.)Mark Hachman / Foundry Twitter user Dongle, working in conjunction with another user, phantomofearth, seems to have unearthed a MigrationApp feature inside Windows 11 build 22635.4945, which does just that, but for PCs. The build debuted on the Windows 11 Insider Beta Channel around Valentine’s Day. Fortunately, the Beta Channel usually signals that a feature will drop within the stable channel of existing Windows PCs eventually. Dongle’s post on Twitter/X calls his images a “UI reconstruction,” so the screenshots might not be the way Microsoft could/would portray it: They’re a “reconstruction of the UI bits left in the build,” Dongle wrote. MigrationApp seems to be a superset of Windows Backup, allowing the user to either back up the contents of a PC to OneDrive or connect to a new PC via (in this case) Wi-Fi. To authenticate the new PC, you’d need to type in an authentication code that the app would provide. Right now, MigrationApp is waaaay into the “rumor” category, only because it’s not even an announced feature, let alone one that has yet to appear for testing. But for anyone who hopes for a future that includes one-click setup of a new PC, MigrationApp, or Windows Migrate, could be one of the biggest things to be added to the platform in a long while. Read...

Thinking of dipping your toe into the smart home waters? Installing a smart plug is the easiest and least expensive way to get a feel for how the technology can improve your life. Plug one into your wall, plug in a lamp or a small appliance into the smart plug, connect it to your home network with the manufacturer’s mobile app, and you’ll be ready to experience all the advantages hands-free control can bring. There’s no special wiring required. You’ll be able to operate your smart plug remotely with your smartphone, set up a lighting schedule, or program it to turn lights on and off in a random pattern when you’re away from home. If your plug is compatible with a smart speaker—and every one worth buying will be—you can also control it with voice commands: Alexa, Google Assistant, or Siri, depending on the device. And a Matter-certified smart plug will be compatible with all of those ecosystems. Advanced users who install a complete smart home system will find smart plugs to be an essential element. Why you should trust us TechHive’s editors and contributors have been testing smart plugs for more than a decade, installing them in our own homes to gain truly real-world experience before we commit to our opinions. We continuously test the latest smart plugs, along with the apps that control them. We blend those experiences with our general knowledge of smart home systems, so we’re able to assess how well these products will integrate with other smart devices you’ll want to use in your home. Our top picks in smart plugs Leviton Decora Smart Wi-Fi Plug-in Switch (2nd Gen) (model D215P) — Best smart plug Pros Supports Alexa, Google Assistant, HomeKit, and Matter Slim form factor Simple, intuitive app Cons Some hiccups during initial HomeKit setup No dimmer function (look at Leviton’s model D23LP for that) Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $19.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket $19.99 at Amazon Why we like the Leviton Decora Smart Wi-Fi Plug-in Switch (2nd Gen) (model D215P) The Leviton Decora Smart Wi-Fi Plug-in Switch (2nd Gen) (model D215P) is a compact, versatile smart switch that supports Alexa, Google Assistant, HomeKit, and Matter. Since it works with Wi-Fi, you won’t need a smart hub to get started. The D215P supports up to 15-amp loads, including up to 1500-watt incandescent lighting or 3/4-horsepower motors. It’s not the most svelte smart plug on the market, but two of them will fit in a single duplex outlet, so we won’t complain about its chunkiness; especially when it supports cool options like the Decora Smart Switch Anywhere Companion. Mount this battery-powered remote to your wall and you can turn the smart plug on and off from across the room. An available firmware update will render the D215P compatible with Matter. Who should buy the Leviton Decora Smart Wi-Fi Plug-in Switch (2nd Gen) (model D215P) Anyone who’s looking to get started with smart plugs will find the Leviton Decora Smart Wi-Fi Plug-in Switch (2nd Gen) (model D215P) and its accompanying app to be an easy-to-use introduction to home automation. When you’re ready to expand your smart home setup with in-wall lighting and ceiling fan controls, Leviton offers a deep well of other electrical products—up to and including smart circuit breakers for your home’s electrical load center. If lamp dimming is on your must-have list, consider Leviton’s second-gen Decora Smart Mini Plug-In Dimmer (model D23LP), instead. The Anywhere Companion works with it, too (on/off only). As with Leviton’s D215P smart plug, an available firmware update will render this plug-in dimmer compatible with Matter. Read our full Leviton Decora Smart Wi-Fi Plug-in Switch (2nd Gen) (model D215P) review Lutron Caséta Wireless Smart Lighting Lamp Dimmer Starter Kit (Model P-BDG-PKG2P) — Best smart plug, runner-up Pros The included remote controls give this dimmer tons of extra usability Overall simple setup and operation Compatible with a variety of smart home hubs and gear Cons Requires a wired bridge to integrate with your smart home Onboard buttons make it much larger than other smart plugs Only works with lamps, not smart appliances like fans or space heaters Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $189.95 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket $189.95 at Amazon Why we like the Lutron Caséta Wireless Smart Lighting Lamp Dimmer Starter Kit (Model P-BDG-PKG2P) While Lutron is a member of the Connectivity Standards Alliance that defines the Matter smart home standard, its products aren’t Matter compatible today. We don’t hold that against them, and we don’t think you should either. Lutron is second only to Leviton in terms of the depth of its other smart home offerings, manufacturing excellent in-wall lighting and fan controls, motion sensors, window shades and blinds, and more. Like everything else in Lutron’s Caséta Wireless ecosystem, its smart plugs offer advanced users more settings and more control—including dimming connected lamps—using Lutron’s app, the included remote controls, or buttons on the plugs themselves. Lutron’s remote controls can be wall mounted with an accessory. The kit also includes the bridge that’s required to connect Caséta lighting (and Lutron Serena smart shades and blinds) to your Wi-Fi system. The bridge needs to be hardwired to your router; if you already have a bridge, you can buy Caséta components separately. Who should buy the Lutron Caseta Wireless Smart Lighting Lamp Dimmer Starter Kit (Model P-BDG-PKG2P) Lutron’s Caséta dimmer plugs only work with lamps, so all that lighting control flexibility comes at the cost of these being single-task tools. On the other hand—and despite the absence of Matter support—Caséta products are broadly compatible with other smart home ecosystems, including Apple Home; Samsung SmartThings; Carrier, Ecobee, and Honeywell smart thermostats; and even Sonos speakers. Read our full Lutron Caséta Wireless Smart Lighting Lamp Dimmer Starter Kit (Model P-BDG-PKG2P) review TP-Link Tapo P125M Mini Smart Wi-Fi Plug — Best smart plug, second runner-up Pros Matter certification guarantees broad compatibility and easy setup We experienced zero operational hiccups Physically small and unobtrusive Cons More expensive than non-Matter-certified smart plugs No Thread radio on board Extremely basic usage history and no energy-consumption monitoring Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $10.79 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket $10.79 at Amazon Why we like the TP-Link Tapo P125M Mini Smart Wi-Fi Plug One day, the Matter smart home standard will make the walls between various smart home ecosytems disappear. It won’t matter if your smartphone runs Android, iOS, or anything between. The TP-Link Tapo P125M Mini Smart Wi-Fi Plug is an outstanding example of how well Matter can work when properly implemented. And these plugs are so small, you can plug two of them into the same duplex outlet. Who should buy the TP-Link Tapo P125M Mini Smart Wi-Fi Plug The street price has been cut in half since we first reviewed the TP-Link Tapo P125M Mini Smart Wi-Fi Plug, making them an even more outstanding value. While there’s no energy consumption monitoring, users can easily schedule times to turn lamps on and off with your choice of the Tapo app or any other Matter-compatible smart home app. Read our full TP-Link Tapo P125M Mini Smart Wi-Fi Plug review Wyze Plug (two-pack) — Best budget-priced smart plug Pros Very affordable Supports Alexa, Google Assistant, and IFTTT Cons Only tracks usage by time, not energy consumed On/off only; no dimming capability Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Wyze Labs $15.99 View Deal $19.98 ($9.99 / Count) View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket $15.99 at Wyze Labs$19.98 ($9.99 / Count) at Amazon Why we like the Wyze Plug (two-pack) The Wyze Plug supports Alexa, Google Assistant, and IFTTT and comes in an inexpensive two-pack that sells for less than half of what one Leviton Decora (model D215P) will cost you. This plug is one of the best values in the smart home ecosystem. Who should buy the Wyze Plug (two-pack) The Wyze Plug is for frugal smart-home owners who don’t want dimming capabilities and don’t plan to go all in on the Matter smart home standard. Wyze also has a less complete smart home ecosystem than some other vendors, and its app can be a bit confusing, but we deliver plenty of insights on that front in our review for anyone looking for a great deal on a smart plug. Read our full Wyze Plug (two-pack) review Emporia energy-monitoring smart plug — Best smart plug for tracking energy consumption Pros Outstanding value Intuitive and detailed energy-tracking features Streamlined, unobtrusive hardware Cons On/off control only; it can’t dim a connected lamp No IFTTT or Matter support LED can’t be disabled Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $11.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket $11.99 at Amazon Why we like the Emporia energy-monitoring smart plug The Emporia energy-monitoring smart plug can not only turn your lights on and off, it will also give you a detailed breakdown of how much energy whatever device plugged into it has consumed. This is an on/off plug only, it can’t dim a connected lamp, but few smart plugs are capable of energy consumption tracking. Who should buy the Emporia energy-monitoring smart plug For users who want detailed tracking of their home’s energy consumption, Emporia’s affordable smart plug can be combined with the Emporia Vue energy monitor, which gets wired into your home’s circuit-breaker panel to track all of your home’s energy use. Read our full Emporia energy-monitoring smart plug review Tapo P400M Smart Wi-Fi Outdoor Plug — Best outdoor smart plug Pros Very affordable Individual socket control in hardware and app Matter certified Lots of control options, in-app and via hardware Cons No real energy monitoring features Setup process via the Tapo app needs improvement Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $19.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket $19.99 at Amazon Why we like the Tapo P400M Smart Wi-Fi Outdoor Plug Not only is the Tapo P400M Smart Wi-Fi Outdoor Plug our top pick in outdoor smart plugs, as of August 28, 2024, its $20 street is price low enough to also be our top pick in the budget-priced category. (The identical product is marketed at Best Buy as the Tapo TP25 Smart Wi-Fi Outdoor Plug). The two outlets on this outdoor smart plug can be independently controlled, and its support for Matter means it can be incorporated into just about any smart home ecosystem you could want: Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Home, Samsung SmartThings, and more. Outfitted with dual 2.4GHz Wi-Fi antennas, the manufacturer boasts up to 300 feet of wireless range (line of sight) and 164 feet with three concrete walls in between. Who should buy the Tapo P400M Smart Wi-Fi Outdoor Plug We rarely find a product that can we recommend to both the smart home enthusiast and the frugal shopper looking for just the basics, but that’s we have in this outdoor smart plug, whether you buy it labeled as the Tapo P400M at Amazon or elsewhere or as the Tapo TP25 at Best Buy. Matter support renders it close to universally supported amount smart home ecosystems, eliminating compatibility concerns (unless you’ve settled on the excellent Lutron Caséta platform, that is). Read our full Tapo P400M Smart Wi-Fi Outdoor Plug (sold as Tapo TP25 at Best Buy) review Lutron Caséta Wireless Outdoor Smart Plug — Best outdoor smart plug for Lutron Caséta users Pros Part of the comprehensive Caséta ecosystem Can be paired with optional Pico remote control Supports pumps and electric motors in addition to lights Robust IP66 weatherization Cons Provides only one receptacle Not Matter compatible Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $79.95 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket $79.95 at Amazon Why we like the Lutron Caséta Wireless Outdoor Smart Plug The Lutron Caséta Wireless Outdoor Smart Plug is an outstanding choice if you’ve already invested in the Caséta platform–meaning you already have the required Wi-Fi bridge–and you need a versatile plug that can do more than control your lighting. This one can also operate small pumps and motors, so it would be a great choice for a water feature. Who should buy the Lutron Caséta Wireless Outdoor Smart Plug If you live in a smart home and are using other Lutron Caséta smart lighting products, the Caséta Wireless Outdoor Smart Plug is your only outdoor smart plug option. As we’ve already discussed, Caséta products are not Matter compatible, but the Caséta platform offers such broad support for other smart home ecosystems that we don’t consider that a detriment. Read our full Lutron Caséta Wireless Outdoor Smart Plug review TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Outdoor Dimmer Plug (model KP405) — Best outdoor smart dimmer Pros Offers the unusual feature of dimming Robust construction and IP64 weatherization Well priced considering the sparse competition Cons Provides only one outlet We occasionally experienced delays in state changes Not Matter compatible Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $16.19 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket $16.19 at Amazon Why we like the TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Outdoor Dimmer Plug (model KP405) There probably aren’t many people who are looking for dimmer capability (as opposed to a simple on/off function) for their outdoor lighting, but the TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Outdoor Dimmer Plug (model KP405) is one of the few outdoor smart plugs that offers that option. Fortunately, TP-Link has also delivered a sturdy and weatherproof plug that’s easy to set up. Who should buy the TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Outdoor Dimmer Plug (model KP405) If you’re looking for an outdoor smart plug that can also dim a connected load, TP-Link’s Kasa Smart Outdoor Dimmer Plug is one of just a few products that fit the bill. In a tradeoff for gaining a dimming function, you’ll get only one receptacle, where most non-dimming smart plugs provide two. Unlike TP-Link’s other outdoor smart plug, however, this smart dimmer is not Matter compatible. Read our full TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Outdoor Dimmer Plug (model KP405) review TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip (model HS300) — Best smart power strip Pros Six switched AC outlets that can be programmed with complex schedules Includes an “away” mode for simulating someone present in a home or office Works with Amazon Alexa and Google Home Outlets can be combined in scenes with other Kasa Smart devices Cons No manual in the box, not even a tiny one Power cord is slightly too short for versatile placement No Apple HomeKit or Siri support Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $43.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket $43.99 at Amazon There’s isn’t a lot of competition in this area, but TP-Link doesn’t just win by default. The Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip features six grounded outlets that can be independently controlled and scheduled, plus three fast USB charging ports. It of course offers protection from power surges as well. It might seem expensive at around $80, but it’s actually a pretty strong deal when you compare it to dual-outlet smart plugs that cost about $60. Read our full TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip (model HS300) review What to look for when shopping for a smart plug Smart plugs might seem like a commodity, but they cover a wide range of design styles, capabilities, and compatibilities. If you’re in the market for a smart plug, consider how your environment—and what you plan to connect to the smart plug—matches the following list of features. Indoor vs. outdoor Most smart plugs can only be used inside, since they aren’t weatherproof. (These are almost invariably white in color.) Weatherized switches (almost always black) are clearly denoted as safe for outside use. Outdoor smart plugs are designed to withstand the elements. They’re just the ticket for holiday and landscape lighting. Brian Nadel / IDG Hub requirements If you need to control the switch through a third-party hub like Samsung SmartThings, that’s one more piece of gear you’ll need to budget for. In many cases, a switch vendor will also offer its own hub as an option, though these can be limited in flexibility and features. Using a hub will also make it easier to interconnect various devices, so if you want to press a single button to turn on both overhead lights and lamps at the same time, a hub’s a great way to get this done. Wireless standard As with all smart home gear, smart plugs support one of several wireless technologies, ranging from Zigbee, Z-Wave, Matter, and/or Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi plugs typically don’t require a hub—your router serves that role—while Zigbee and Z-Wave models need to be bridged to Wi-Fi. Matter-certified devices can either connect directly to your Wi-Fi network (Matter over Wi-Fi) or via an onboard Thread radio (Matter over Thread). In the latter case, you’ll need a Thread border router to connect to Wi-Fi. You’ll also encounter two proprietary standards: Clear Connect, used in Lutron’s Caséta products; and Insteon, an old-school hybrid of wireless and powerline home networking that’s uncommon these days. Apple HomeKit support If you’re looking for compatibility with Apple’s HomeKit devices (and want to tell Siri to turn lights on and off), you’ll need to look for this support, which should be well-labeled on a product’s website and packaging. An alternative is to look for the Matter logo, as HomeKit is one of the smart home ecosystems (along with Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Samsung SmartThings) that the new Matter standard supports. Voice assistant compatibility Many smart plugs work with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, or both. Support for Apple’s Siri is less common, but not hard to find. Matter-certified products are compatible with all three ecosystems. If you have Amazon Echo, Google Home, or Apple HomePod smart speakers in your home, you’ll love being able to turn sockets on and off with voice commands. Power limitations You can’t just plug anything into a smart plug. Most are rated to handle just a few hundred watts of power consumption, which is fine for a lamp or a coffee maker, but you might encounter problems if you connect a hair dryer, a space heater, or a professional blender to one. Power plug manufacturers tend to bury their maximum wattage ratings in the fine print, so check carefully beforehand if you expect the outlet to support high-draw appliances. TP-Link’s Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip includes six, independently controlled, grounded smart outlets in one. Number of plugs Designs vary widely here. Some smart plugs replace a single plug, some replace two. Some designs offer two plugs, but only one of them is smart; the other is an always-on pass-through plug. Whichever design you choose, be sure to consider the physical design of the device itself. Some of these devices—even those with a single-plug design—cover up both wall sockets, which can greatly limit their utility. You’ll also find smart power strips, which offer multiple, individually controlled smart plugs in a single device. Grounded or ungrounded Some smart plugs offer only two-prong, ungrounded power. (This is done in part to dissuade you from attaching heavy machinery to the outlet.) If you need fully grounded electricity, be sure to purchase one of the many smart plugs on the market that includes this feature. Some smart plugs, such as this GE by Jasco model, accept only two-prong plugs and are not directly grounded. Energy monitoring features Curious as to how much power your connected device is sucking down? Energy monitoring features let you use the device’s mobile app to track power consumption over time, giving you a better argument to use against your wasteful, wasteful children who never turn off the TV. Integrated dimming If you’re hooking up a lamp to a smart plug, you can easily turn it into a dimmable lamp if the switch includes an onboard dimmer. Some of these types of switches include hardware buttons to control dimming directly on the switch itself in addition to app and voice control. Read...

It’s time to upgrade your USB-C cables because this one by Belkin is a stunning 50 percent off. When’s the last time you saw a 10-foot USB-C cable with 100W power delivery for just $10? Yet right now, you can get it on Amazon for that bonkers price! This is a 10-foot USB-C cable with double-braided nylon sheathing for extra durability. Belkin says the cable is built to survive over 25,000 bends and 10,000 plug-ins, so you’ll be using this one for years to come. And the extra length means you’ll be able to charge your phone without having to sit on the very edge of your bed at night or worrying about how close you are to the any power outlet in general. The best part is that this USB-C cable supports up to 100W power delivery, which means you can use it with super-fast chargers for ultra-fast charging of your phone, laptop, earbuds, Nintendo Switch, and more. This is a hot deal, so don’t miss the opportunity to get your own 10-foot 100W Belkin USB-C cable for $10 on Amazon! Save 50% on this super-fast 10-foot USB-C cableBuy now at Amazon Read...

Your PC is capable of running not one, but two Windows apps designed to protect you and your system against online threats: Windows Security and Microsoft Defender. Telling them apart can be tricky, though. Thanks to a few name changes, what’s old sounds new and what’s new sounds old. If you haven’t kept up with the updates, it may not be clear which one you want — or if you actually prefer to run both.  To help you decide, I’ve broken down what each app does. Let’s dig in. What is Windows Security? PCWorld Previously known as Windows Defender, Windows Security is the most current name for the app that ties Microsoft’s basic antivirus and network protections together. Similar to third-party antivirus software, you get a unified interface to make changes to the app and access manual scans. Separate tabs break out various settings: Virus & threat protection: From this tab, you can run manual scans (Quick, Full, Custom, or Offline), change how your system screens for threats, and set up more stringent ransomware defenses. Account protection: Guard the Microsoft account tied to your PC, as well as strengthen Windows’ login process. Firewall & network protection: Refine your settings in order to tailor screening of incoming and outgoing traffic. App & browser control: Adjust how Windows screens apps for suspicious behavior, and if Edge runs in an isolated, sandboxed environment. Device security: Get information about your PC’s deeper security protections in Windows — core virtualization, security processor (TPM), and secure boot. Device performance & health: See a quick overview of the general “health” of your PC with regard to software issues or storage drive issues. Family options: Filter viewable content for users on the PC, as well as see breakdowns of device usage. You can manage your family group through the web portal. Click on the arrows (desktop) or swipe (mobile) to see each tab in the Windows Security app. What is Microsoft Defender? PCWorld Confusingly, the Microsoft Defender app shares its name with the antivirus engine powering Windows Security’s malware protection — but they’re not directly tied. Instead, the Defender app offers additional defenses against online threats for Microsoft 365 Personal or Family subscribers. It works equally with either Windows Security (including the Microsoft Defender Antivirus engine) or third-party antivirus software. Identity theft monitoring: Through a partnership with Experian, Microsoft Defender will alert you to data breaches and any fraudulent activity on your credit reports. The service also provides up to $1 million in restoration costs and $100,000 in lost funds if you are a victim of identity theft. Device protection: You can watch to see if your devices (up to four) or those linked through your Microsoft Family Group have any suspicious activity occurring and be notified through this app. Notifications will be sent through Windows’ notification system and you can also view them through the Defender app. Previously, the Defender app also offered an encrypted VPN feature called Privacy Protection, which provided up to 50GB of data per month, detected unsecure Wi-Fi connections, and supported multiple platforms. However, in February 2025, Microsoft ended support for Privacy Protection and removed it from the Windows app. Click on the arrows (desktop) or swipe (mobile) to see the different sections of the Microsoft Defender app. Windows Security vs. Microsoft Defender Windows Security and Microsoft Defender are complimentary apps rather than competing.  Windows Security defends against online threats, including ransomware, and it’s included for free with a Windows license. (Heads-up: If you ever see a popup notification telling you to call a phone number or pay to renew, you’ve either visited a compromised website or your PC has been directly compromised — time to run an antivirus scan ASAP.) Microsoft Defender then rounds out those protections by letting you shield your online activity from other users on the same network, keeping you informed of data leaks and credit fraud, and monitoring your devices for vulnerabilities.  Should you use Microsoft Defender? Windows Security and Microsoft Defender paired together can rival basic third-party antivirus suite subscriptions.Alaina Yee / Foundry If you’re already a Microsoft 365 subscriber, having both Windows Security and Microsoft Defender set up and active is comparable to a very simple third-party antivirus suite subscription — and you don’t have to pay extra. However, if you’re not yet a paid Microsoft 365 user, want additional integrated features (like a password manager), or prefer a different interface, independent antivirus software will be a better fit for your needs. You can check out our top recommendations in our best antivirus software roundup, which covers all types of plans. Read...

Online safety doesn’t have to be complicated. With some simple steps, you can easily protect your PC from malware and safeguard your personal data with very little extra effort. The best part? None of these tips cost money. In fact, most important security tools you need are completely free. You can keep yourself and your PC safe online without spending a single dime. Here’s how. 1. Use an antivirus Antivirus software is a must-have for any PC. Thankfully, you don’t have to go out of your way to get one anymore because all Windows 11 and Windows 10 PCs come with Windows Security and Microsoft Defender, giving you access to a minimal-yet-capable antivirus. It automatically scans your system in the background and checks the files you download and the applications you run, spotting malware before it can take hold. You can go further and configure Microsoft Defender for extra security if you want. Or you could opt for a third-party antivirus, many of which come with extra security features. If you decide to take this route, know that we currently recommend Norton 360 Deluxe, but any antivirus will do if all you care about is basic protection. Recommended: The best antivirus software for Windows Just be sure to leave your antivirus’s real-time protection feature enabled. Don’t turn off real-time scanning because mistakes can happen to anyone—and when they do, you want your antivirus to be active. 2. Use a password manager Once you start using a password manager, you’ll never go back—it’s that life-changingly convenient. So, if you aren’t using one yet, we highly recommend using a password manager. (A free one, even!) Recommended: The best password managers worth using The unfortunate truth is that many companies—no matter how big they are or how reputable they seem—end up facing data breaches and leaks that release their password databases to the public. That’s why the biggest risk you can take online is reusing the same password for multiple accounts. If your password gets leaked in a data breach, hackers can use your email/password combination to break into your other accounts that use the same password. The solution? Use strong passwords that are unique every single time. The problem? Remembering so many passwords is almost impossible—and that’s why you need to be using a password manager. A password manager remembers all of your passwords and associates them with their respective sites, apps, accounts, etc. All you need to do is remember the master password; the password manager will fill in the appropriate password whenever you need to log in. 3. Keep your software up to date Chris Hoffman / IDG Modern operating systems and all the applications on your system receive regular security updates that fix exploits and vulnerabilities. If you skip these important patches, you’re opening yourself up to risks. The good news is that most modern applications—whether it’s Windows, Microsoft Office, Google Chrome, or something else—regularly check for and automatically install such updates. If you’ve disabled automatic updates, you should reconsider. There may be a niche reason to do so, but most of the time you’re just putting yourself in danger. And yes, sooner is better than later. If your operating system or web browser says it needs to restart to install updates, do it. Sure, it’s inconvenient to restart your Windows PC or web browser in the middle of something, but it just might protect you from an attack. 4. Stop using unsupported operating systems and applications It’s one thing for operating systems and applications to get automatic updates—it’s another thing when those updates are discontinued. No software lasts forever. Eventually, developers and companies end long-term support and stop issuing security updates for older hardware and software. At that point, the hardware/software should be treated as unsafe and you should stop using it as soon as you can. What happens if you keep using it? Older software and unsupported devices gradually grow increasingly more vulnerable to attack, and it’ll only be a matter of time before you get hit with something. For example, Windows 7 is no longer supported and using it puts you at risk because newly discovered security holes aren’t being patched. The same is true for individual applications—like Office 2016 and earlier versions of Microsoft Office, which no longer receive security updates. While an older version of Office might work well for your needs, it could open you up to an attack. For example, you might download a malicious Word document that exploits an Office vulnerability to hack you. That’s one reason why Microsoft Office 365 is a good deal: you’ll always have access to the latest versions of Office on all your devices. 5. Be mindful when browsing the web How you browse the web is important. In an ideal world, you shouldn’t have to worry about the sites you visit and whether something could go wrong—but the world is far from ideal. Untrustworthy websites can attack your browser through unpatched security flaws. More commonly, sketchy websites may try to download malware onto your PC, trick you with misleading advertisements, or get your personal information with phishing scams. Take care when browsing the web and be mindful. Think twice before downloading software, avoid dodgy sites that make promises that seem too good to be true, and don’t enter personal information on any website that you haven’t vetted and trust 100 percent. 6. Only download files and software from trustworthy sites and sources Chris Hoffman / IDG Any time you download software, you have to be very careful. Even something as innocuous as a PDF or Word document can potentially wreak havoc on your PC if it exploits an unpatched flaw in your PDF reader or Microsoft Word. Any file you download off the internet can do nasty things to your PC, and only an antivirus that recognizes it will protect you. So, you should only download, install, and run software that you completely trust—and only if you get it from a source you trust. Also, stop ignoring Windows SmartScreen! On Windows, SmartScreen warnings pop up when you try to run software that few people have downloaded and run before. You can tell Windows to run the application anyway, but you should always pause and consider whether you truly trust the application. If you don’t, then you shouldn’t run it. When in doubt, stick with known-as-trustworthy applications. 7. Learn to identify phishing scams Phishing scams have grown into a huge problem over the last several years, and you’re at risk whether you’re using a Windows PC, a Chromebook, a smartphone, or anything else. Long story short: a phishing scam is one where someone tries to bait you into giving away sensitive information or installing malware. This is usually done by tricking you into clicking a deceptive link. More on this: The most common types of phishing scams Phishing scams are tricky because they’re usually disguised as coming from a trusted source: a reputable company like Microsoft, a widely used service like USPS, or even a friend or family member. That’s why is so important to learn how to identify phishing emails and text messages. A password manager can help here, too. Let’s say you click a phishing link and end up on a fake site pretending to be your bank. If you were on your real bank’s website, your password manager would know and automatically fill in your login details. But since it’s an imposter site, your password manager won’t fill in—a clue that something is amiss. 8. Don’t click unsolicited links Every link should be treated as questionable, whether that’s on a website, on social media, in an email, or even a text message. If you never click on unsolicited links, you can drastically reduce your risk of malware. For example, let’s say you get a text message about a package delivery failure and you need to click this link and provide personal information to make sure you get it. You don’t know whether it’s a scam or not—but you aren’t expecting a delivery, so you treat it as questionable. In most cases, you just successfully avoided being scammed. The same goes for when you get a link that purports to come from Amazon, PayPal, or your credit card company. It may have an alarming angle to it, such as claiming your account has been banned. This is meant to induce panic and cause you to lower your guard. But if you have a general policy of not clicking unsolicited links, you’ll be okay. When in doubt, avoid unsolicited links and go straight to the source. Got an alert email that claims to be from your bank? Don’t click it. Instead, manually navigate to the bank in your web browser. Got an urgent alert about a package from FedEx? Don’t click it. Go straight to the FedEx website yourself and confirm if it’s true. 9. Use a standard Windows user account Chris Hoffman / IDG When on Windows, we recommend using a “Standard” account type rather than an “Administrator” account type for day-to-day activity. Yes, Administrator accounts are more convenient because they can install software at the system level with fewer hurdles. But being logged into an Administrator account also makes it easier for malware to take hold. For passive protection, it’s better to create a secondary Windows user account with Standard user permissions. That way if malware does try to infect you, it will have a harder time doing so. For best results, only use an Administrator account to set up your PC and install software, then switch to a secondary Standard account for your day-to-day computer usage. Microsoft has a detailed help website with information about creating new user accounts. The good news is that Microsoft is making some changes to Windows that may make this unnecessary soon. 10. Set up two-factor authentication for your accounts Two-factor authentication is non-negotiable these days. With this extra layer of protection for an account, even if someone knows your account’s password, they still won’t be able to sign in. Why? Because the intruder will also need a specific two-factor authentication code: perhaps a code sent to your phone, a code generated by an app, or even a physical security key. I recommend setting up two-factor authentication with all accounts that support it, particularly bank accounts and email inboxes. It may be a tad more inconvenient to sign in—you’ll have to provide a code in addition to your usual password—but it’s an important way to stay safe online. Outdated practices that don’t really help I think you’ll agree with me that the above tips and tactics aren’t very difficult at all. Some are one-and-done (like using a Standard Windows account), some are repeated (like keeping software updated), and some are passive (like never clicking unsolicited links), but they’re all simple. Now that you know what to do, you should also check out my other advice on what you shouldn’t do. In fact, there are several outdated security practices that may have been useful in the past but are no longer helpful. It’s better to stop doing them now. Read...

Jannik Sinner`s case was `a million miles away from doping`, says World Anti-Doping Agency general counsel Ross Wenzel. Read...

I’ve been covering smart home and security products for years, and I’ve written about and reviewed scores of smart devices. Yet I can count on one hand (plus an extra finger or two) the number of smart devices that my family and I actually depend on.  Sure, I have plenty of smart gadgets in my house that are nice-to-haves. I like the air quality monitor in our finished basement, good for keeping tabs on the VOC and CO2 levels in our downstairs living room. There’s also a Google Nest Hub in our kitchen that displays family photos, while an Amazon Echo Dot in my daughter’s bedroom occasionally blurts out the weather.  But while those devices certainly come in handy, they’re also expendable. If something went wrong with the Google display (which we really only use for its photo frame abilities), we could probably live without it. Same goes with the air quality monitor (our iPhones can tell us the outdoor AQI), and the voice assistants on the smart speakers are so flaky, we barely talk to them anymore.  On the other hand, there are some smart gadgets in our apartment that would trigger a minor crisis if they failed, not to mention an immediate trip to Amazon for replacements.   Here are the smart devices that I absolutely, positively depend on, starting with…  Smart lights  Ben Patterson/Foundry Well, yeah, lights are essential in any home. But over the years, I’ve created a fairly complex Philips Hue setup with dozens of bulbs, and a few free-standing lamps that switch on, turn off, fade, brighten, and change colors according to a multi-layered series of automations.  It’s refreshingly rare for any of my Hue bulbs to fail, but when they do, they don’t stay failed for long. Just a week ago, one of the overhead Hue bulbs in our kitchen conked out and within 48 hours, I’d replaced it. Can’t have a dead Hue bulb marring my kitchen lighting scenes!  We also just added a pair of battery-powered Hue smart lamps to our dining room, which we move from the sides of the room to the dining table for meals. (We live in a Brooklyn rental, so replacing our ugly overhead lights with pendants isn’t really an option for us.) The portable lamps have changed the whole complexion of the room, especially at dinner time, and we can’t live without them now.  Related: Best smart lighting 2025: Smart bulbs, string lights, outdoor, and more Video doorbell  Ben Patterson/Foundry This battery-powered Ring Battery Doorbell Plus sits in a stick-up mount on our front door (again, as apartment dwellers, we can’t drill into the door), monitoring the comings and goings at our doorstep and in our shared hallway.  Not only does the doorbell alert us to visitors (we get alerts from the Ring app when someone presses the button, and we can even see and speak with them remotely), but it also keeps an eye on general activity outside our apartment. That became essential after we noticed someone had been splashing olive oil on our front door. Thanks to our Ring video history, we managed to catch the culprit in the act.   As it stands, I can’t imagine life without having eyes on our doorway.  Related: Best video doorbells 2025: Reviews and buying advice | PCWorld Door and window contact sensor Ben Patterson/Foundry Speaking of doors, I installed a contact sensor on our front apartment door some years ago, and it’s become another must-have smart device.  This Philips Hue Secure contact sensor is perfect for letting me know any time someone opens the door, either via mobile alerts (which also pop up on my Apple Watch) or through light automations (which, in my case, pulse the lights in my downstairs office).  Besides warning me while I’m at home that someone’s opened the door, the sensor also gives me peace of mind when I’m away that nobody’s entering the house when they shouldn’t be–a key issue, given that a certain teenaged family member keeps forgetting to lock the door when she leaves. I’m actually on my second door sensor now after the first one became glitchy. I ultimately settled on the Hue Secure model, but there are plenty of other great options available.   Related: Best DIY home security systems of 2025: Reviews and buying advice Apple TV 4K Wait, isn’t the Apple TV 4K a streaming box? It is, but it also doubles as an Apple HomeKit hub, complete with a Thread border router that enables Matter-enabled smart devices to connect to the internet.  With my Apple TV 4K on the case, I don’t need to worry about using a smart speaker or display as my smart home hub, and as a bonus, it excels as a video streamer, delivering impressive 4K video quality along with Dolby Atmos and Vision support.  I actually did have an older model Apple TV 4K go glitchy on me a few years back, but after some with some subpar experiences with other streaming players, I went right back to Apple, snapping up a next-gen version of its streaming box. Since then, it’s been smooth sailing.  Related: Best streaming devices of 2025: Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Roku, or Google TV? Harmony universal remote  Logitech stopped manufacturing its once-popular line of Harmony remotes nearly five years ago, which is why I’m treating my Harmony Companion (which comes with its own wireless hub) like a precious jewel.  Universal remotes like those from the Harmony brand can control multiple A/V components at once such as TVs (smart or not so much), Blu-ray players, audio receivers, game consoles, and other home theater components.   Backed by a massive database of A/V equipment (which, impressively, Harmony parent Logitech still maintains), a Harmony remote can control other devices besides home theater gear, meaning you can press a single button on the wand to turn on your TV, streaming box, and receiver; set your components to their proper inputs and outputs; and even turn your smart lights off or trigger a particular lighting scene.  Of course, more and more consumers are simply using their smart TV remotes (which have becoming increasingly sophisticated over the years) to control their home theaters, leading Logitech to eventually throw in the towel.  Still, there are some things my Harmony remote can do that a smart TV remote can’t, which is why you’d have to pry my Harmony from my cold, dead hands. (You can still buy Harmony remotes on eBay, but be prepared to pay through the nose for one.)  Smart plugs  Ben Patterson/Foundry We live in a century-old Brooklyn brownstone that lacks central air, and our downstairs frequently turns into a sauna thanks to an exposed hot water pipe. That’s why we have a network of fans constantly whirring away in our home, and smart plugs are essential for controlling them.  With three Matter-enabled smart plugs (one from Eve Systems, and another two from Meross), I have our fans set to turn on and switch off at certain hours, and I can control them manually with shortcuts on my iPhone. I can also say “Hey Siri, turn kitchen fan off” to stop the fan while I’m cooking.  Fans aren’t the only things I use smart plugs with. I also have a quartet of dumb clip-on Ikea lights downstairs that I control with Philips Hue smart plugs, perfect for use with the Hue Bridge.   Related: Best smart plugs 2025: Transform your dumb outlets into smart sockets Smart water leak detector  Ben Patterson/Foundry Here’s something that used to drive me crazy: Coming downstairs in the morning and stepping on a soaking wet carpet.   Our downstairs basement used to be prone to flooding during heavy rains, and if the rainstorms hit in the middle of the night, I’d be clueless until the next day, when the damage had already been done.  Ultimately, we did two things: First, we called the landlord and demanded some gutter and drainage repairs (which, thankfully, we got). Second, we installed a smart water leak detector in the area of the office where the water usually seeped in.   There are several excellent makes and models of smart water leak detectors available, some are battery powered, allowing you to drop them here and there as needed, while others are tethered to a power cord. I went with the latter, settling on a Matter-enabled leak detector from Eve Systems.  Fortunately, we haven’t had any leaks downstairs in more than two years—but if we did, the Eve detector would sound an integrated alarm, trigger alerts on our phones, and turn our bedroom lights all the way up, ideal for waking us up in the event of a late-night flood.   Related: Best water leak detectors for smart homes Read...