Having to purchase a subscription to access software is something that's only gotten more popular over time, leaving many to pay a monthly fee to access their favorite productivity tools. Luckily, Office users got a bit of a break this year with the introduction of Office 2024, which doesn't require a subscription. And while it may feel like Office 2021, there are some notable updates like a new UI, accessibility tools, and general improvements to Excel and PowerPoint.

The Steam Deck isn't just a portable game console. It's also a mini-computer running Linux as its operating system. That means it can be used like a traditional PC, and Valve hasn't locked away any functionality from the user. Some tasks will need additional software to be installed before they can be accomplished, and one of those is mounting ISO files. These are digital files of compressed data that contain the same data as the CD/DVD/Blu-ray disc that they were copied from. Often used for distributing operating system install files, they're also used for archival purposes and for creating game files to use with retro console emulators. It's not hard to mount ISO files on the Steam Deck, and they will function just like any other operating system once mounted.

With as much storage as computers can include nowadays, we still somehow find a way to fill it up after a while, so you may find yourself in need of an upgrade. Even if it's not full, in some cases, slow storage can be the main thing slowing down your PC, so an upgrade can go a long way, especially if you still have an old HDD.

Image: Disney Disney released a new trailer for Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, its new Star Wars Disney Plus show premiering next month, and it looks like the show is going to be pretty fun.“Star Wars: Skeleton Crew follows the journey of four kids who make a mysterious discovery on their seemingly safe home planet, then get lost in a strange and dangerous galaxy,” according to Disney’s official description. “Finding their way home — and meeting unlikely allies and enemies — will be a greater adventure than they ever imagined.”One of the people the kids meet along the way is the mysterious Jod, who is played by Jude Law.Skeleton Crew was originally announced in 2022 with an intended release of 2023. That obviously didn’t happen, but Disney confirmed... Continue reading…

Image: Microsoft Microsoft is modernizing how its Windows Hello authentication, which includes facial and fingerprint recognition, works in Windows 11. The revamp to the Windows Hello experience is now in beta testing with Windows Insiders, and includes visual changes, new iconography, and improvements to passkeys.Not only will this new UI appear on the Windows 11 login screen, but also when you’re using passkeys to sign into websites and apps. “We redesigned Windows security credential user experiences for passkey creating a cleaner experience that supports secured and quick authentication,” explains the Windows team. “Users will now be able to switch between authentication options and select passkey / devices more intuitively.” Image:... Continue reading…

Image: Hyundai Hyundai is one of several automakers working to make hydrogen-powered electric vehicles a thing, and a good first step is making sure they’re not ugly. I think the designers hit the target with the “Art of Steel” design language used in the Initium concept SUV revealed this week at an event in Korea. It seems to borrow some of the fearlessly angular and retro-inspired looks it’s teased over the years on other vehicles like the N Vision 74 concept and the Seven (which will eventually become the Ioniq 9).According to Hyundai's estimates, the Initium can drive more than 400 miles (650km) on a single refuel — about 30 miles further than its production Nexo fuel cell SUV. Hyundai says the Initium is a “preview” of an upcoming fuel cell EV it... Continue reading…

Photo by David Pierce / The Verge Meta is introducing some big changes with its Quest v71 update, including a redesign of Meta Horizon OS, a calendar app, and the ability to use Travel Mode on a train. The update will start rolling out gradually next week. Let’s start with the redesign. Meta says that it’s “tweaking the look and feel of Horizon OS” and that new headsets will use an “improved” light theme by default. (Dark mode fans, fear not: the dark theme is still present, and if you’re already using it, Meta won’t switch you over automatically.) Meta has “also made assorted changes to the way panels look and behave, where the control bar resides, the colors of various UI elements, and so on,” according to a blog post. And the Settings menu has “a new look and layout”... Continue reading…

Thanks to their superb ANC, the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are our No. 1 pick when it’s time to hop aboard a plane. | Photo by Chris Welch / The Verge Well, the early Black Friday deals took less than a day to begin. Amazon, Best Buy, Lowe’s, and a number of other major retailers have officially begun running their holiday promotions in anticipation of the annual shopping event, though few of them are offering discounts as steep as Bose. For a limited time, you can grab the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones at Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy for an all-time low of $329 ($100 off) or the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds for $229 ($100 off) via the same retailers (Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy).Unsurprisingly, the QC Ultra Headphones and QC Ultra Earbuds are incredibly similar, form factor notwithstanding. Both offer exceptional comfort and best-in-class noise cancellation, allowing you to... Continue reading…

The Hurricane Compact Electric Bike offers a range of 30 miles. | Image: Schwinn The Schwinn Hurricane, an iconic kids bike of the late ‘70s and early ‘80s, could soon be a staple of the suburbs once again thanks to an electric revival. The new Schwinn Hurricane Compact Electric Bike isn’t an exact dupe of the original, but shares a lot of the classic’s styling, with the added convenience of an electric motor and a rechargeable battery.The electric Hurricane is designed for riders 13 years and older who weigh up to 260lb, but its smaller frame and 14-inch aluminum wheels make it better suited for teens. It’s available now through Schwinn’s website for $599.99. That’s not necessarily cheap as smaller bikes go, but it is cheaper than e-bikes from brands like Juiced Bikes and Super73 which have already attracted the... Continue reading…

In today's fast-paced digital world, reliable, fast, and portable storage is no longer a luxuryit's a necessity. Whether you're a content creator, a gamer, or simply someone juggling multiple devices, you need a storage solution that can keep up with your demanding lifestyle. Enter the DigiEra LPS2000M External Portable SSDa powerful, sleek, and compact external drive designed to revolutionize how you store, transfer, and manage your data.

Windows Longhorn is one of Microsoft's most infamous canceled releases. This was meant to be the next release to follow up Windows XP, with a release date set for 2005. By 2004, the team working on Longhorn encountered several challenges, with huge ambitions bottlenecking its development. So much so, that work on this release was scrapped, and we ended up with Windows Vista, which launched in 2006 for the best laptops at the time.

Image: Disney Plus / Marvel But Marvel’s WandaVision follow-up stuck the landing by spelling out the secrets that were hiding in plain sight. Continue reading…