Image: Microsoft Microsoft is testing a DALL-E-powered text-to-image creator in Microsoft Paint for Windows 11, the company announced in a blog post. Called Paint Cocreator, the tool creates art based on a description the user types out.Alternatively, users can select an art style, and Cocreator will then generate three variations. After choosing the one they like, customers can then edit the artwork by, for example, adding layers — a feature that’s also new to Paint.It remains to be seen how well OpenAI’s latest DALL-E image generation model converts text to image, however — previous generations of DALL-E have struggled to correctly interpret text input. Aside from that, DALL-E has been prone to gender and racial bias. In its blog post, Microsoft says... Continue reading…

Although the desktop is geared towards gaming more than ever, the way modern PCs have evolved has arguably done much for normal stuff and work-related tasks. In fact, while PC gaming has been made expensive by the rising prices of good graphics cards, it's almost the opposite for a standard home or office PC, which doesn't require a graphics card in most cases.

For years, the 2230 form factor for SSDs was almost completely neglected and was only used by OEMs for low-end drives. However, the Steam Deck and ROG Ally have created massive demand for powerful, gaming optimized SSDs that can fit inside these small handhelds, and only 2230-sized drives will fit. Every company is throwing their hat in the ring, including Teamgroup with its MP44S. As a cheaper 2230 SSD with a focus on value, it's not the fastest among its peers, but it definitely delivers great bang for buck, especially for the Steam Deck.

Counter-Strike 2 | Image: Valve Counter-Strike 2, the highly anticipated upgrade for CS:GO, has finally arrived. Valve announced today that it’s launching CS2, which comes with some major updates like improved smoke grenades, redesigned maps, and improved network features.After years of rumors, Valve announced CS2 in March and opened up a limited test. The updated game is based on Valve’s Source 2 engine, giving the game a much-needed facelift, reworked audio, UI enhancements, and upgraded Community Workshop tools. There’s even a new “tick-rate-independent gameplay” that Valve describes as a way for servers to “know the exact instant that motion starts, a shot is fired, or a ‘nade is thrown.” You can download the 27GB CS2 for free from Steam, with its listing... Continue reading…

The Surface Laptop Studio 2 was just announced at Microsoft's recent event, and it is the tech giant's most powerful laptop yet. It is ideal for creators, as it has versatility, compatibility, and a beautiful display. But when you're talking about the best laptops for creators, you can't help but mention the MacBook Pro from Apple. Known for being consistent and able to handle a ton of tasks, this has been one of the standard-bearers for those needing to utilize their laptops for intensive tasks. If you're trying to decide which one is right for you, we're here to help. See how the two shake out next to each other and choose what works best for you.

In an online world filled with information and content, it can be hard to reach the right audience at all times. Using AI tools, you can refine your content and generate new ideas to ensure you hit the mark every time.

OnePlus is a little late to the party, but it's finally gearing up to jump on the foldable phone bandwagon. The company recently confirmed that it's working on at least one new foldable phone, which it plans to launch sometime this year. OnePlus hasn't shared any details about this officially, but there is a lot that we already know about it, thanks to all the leaks and rumors. If you're excited for what's to come, read on to learn all the details we have on OnePlus' flagship foldable so far.

Mesh routers are a great option if you're looking to cover a lot of space with wireless internet. This Google Nest Wifi mesh system is going to be an excellent choice if you want to eliminate dead zones in your home or office, and do so on an affordable budget.

Microsoft is rolling out a new AI-infused version of the Windows 11 Paint app to Windows Insiders in the Canary and Dev Channel. The newest version of the app, coming in at version 11.2309.20.0 or higher sports a new feature dubbed Paint Cocreator, which Microsoft first talked about during its September 21 special event in New York. With the feature, you can generate artwork right inside Microsoft Paint without ever leaving the app.

When we listen to downloaded music, we often hear our music in a "compressed" form like an MP3. These are files that have been adjusted to take up a minimal amount of storage space on your phone or computer. They compact files are "lossy" which result in tracks that might be missing some of the high-end details present in the original records. Lossless audio still compresses the files but utilizes a specific algorithm that can minimize size without sacrificing detail. Lossless file types include FLAC, AIFF, and ALAC (Apple Lossless Audio Codec). This is a fairly simple explanation, and there is certainly more to learn but, at the end of the day, lossless audio is more desirable than the alternative.

At its 2023 Connect conference on Wednesday, Meta launched its Quest 3 mixed reality headset as a successor to the popular Quest 2. The Quest 3 was originally announced earlier this year by Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg just days before Apple unveiled its Vision Pro headset. Back then, Meta announced a few interesting tidbits about its next-gen headset, including its price and ETA, but most of the tech specs remained a mystery.

Illustration by Alex Castro / The Verge From basic and affordable to premium and ultra-customizable, these are the best controllers for Xbox. And they work with PCs, too. Continue reading…