Microsoft's default settings for Windows are designed to be helpful to the average person, but that's exactly what makes the defaults so unusable for most people. Because not one of us is average, and people use computers in a variety of ways for a number of purposes. So, trying to find an average just guarantees a poor experience.

I’ve been experimenting with a dichotomy of second screens for quite a long time at this rate. I've used a second phone-as-monitor, a laptop on the desk next to me, and, naturally, a "typical" secondary vertical monitor, which is the only one that's truly stuck. However, one that did stick was the XIAO 7.5-inch ePaper Panel over the couple of months, driven by a tiny XIAO ESP32-C3 running ESPHome, and it quietly became the most useful “monitor” on my desk.

Who could argue with faster components? It's no surprise that fast memory floods the pages of Newegg and the shelves of Micro Center, with eager builders trying to squeeze out every edge when it comes to performance. But you probably don't need to spend up for a speedy kit of memory, and if you believe some old myths about memory speed, you'll end up spending more than you need to.

This is an official Pixel 10 image released by Google, though it’s probably the Pro. Google is readying its next set of hardware announcements, and has already confirmed that the Pixel 10 series is launching this month. We even know what two of the phones look like, thanks to official teasers from Google.But beyond the few tidbits Google has shared officially, there’s an awful lot more we think we know about the Pixel 10 line thanks to leaks, from which phones are arriving — likely the 10, 10 Pro, 10 Pro XL, and 10 Pro Fold — to camera changes, US prices, and maybe even some long overdue Qi2 support.What we know officiallyLet’s start with some stone-cold facts. We know that the Pixel 10 line will be announced at a Made by Google event in New York on August 20th, where the company will show off “the latest on our Pixel phones, watches, buds, and more.”We also know that one of the phones in the lineup will look like the image above, including that blue-gray finish. Color aside, that phone looks almost identical to the Pixel 9 Pro, right down to the flash and temperature sensor inside the camera bar, confirming that Google isn’t changing its design language.You can also see a little more of it in action in this early ad, which doesn’t miss the excuse to dunk on Apple for its repeated Apple Intelligence delays.We’ve had a pretty similar tease for the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, which mostly shows that the foldable a) comes in the same grayish color as the other model, and b) otherwise looks an awful lot like the Pixel 9 Pro Fold.That’s about all Google has said for certain, but here’s everything else we’re expecting to see at the launch later this month. Triple cameras all aroundThe biggest surprise this year appears to be a move to upgrade the base Pixel 10 to a triple rear camera, including a telephoto lens for the first time, bringing it in line with the three Pro models.But before you get too excited, know that there are some downsides. To offset the added cost — and perhaps to give you a reason to consider the upgrade to the Pro — Google will reportedly downgrade the Pixel 10’s other cameras. Android Authority reports that Google is using smaller sensors for the Pixel 10’s main camera and ultrawide than the Pixel 9 had, meaning the cameras will capture less light. In fact, it will apparently use the same sensors it did on the Pixel 9A. That means that unless Google has made improvements elsewhere, the Pixel 10’s main and ultrawide cameras will be worse than on the 9, but offset by the addition of the telephoto lens. At least the selfie camera should remain unchanged.It also means the triple cameras on the 10 Pro and 10 Pro XL — which will apparently be unchanged from the 9 Pro models — could be superior to the 10 across the board. The 10 Pro Fold camera will be comparable to the 10’s, using the same sensors for its main and telephoto shooters, and similarly specced ones for the selfie and ultrawide. That represents a very slight upgrade to the main camera in the Fold, but the base 10 is the only model getting a real camera overhaul.Contrasting colorsGoogle may also be making unexpected decisions about the phones’ colors, going by allegedly official renders leaked by Android Headlines. On the base Pixel 10 that means brighter colors than ever (and confirmation of that triple camera). The site reports that the phone will come in “Obsidian,” Google’s standard black finish, along with a vibrant blue called “Indigo,” a paler shade called “Frost,” and an almost fluorescent green dubbed “Limoncello.”By contrast, the Pro models look muted. The 10 Pro and 10 Pro XL come in the same “Obsidian” black, plus the returning “Porcelain” white, a soft green called “Jade,” and a gray-blue called “Moonstone.” You might recognize that shade from Google’s official image up at the top.Stranger are the colors for the 10 Pro Fold. Android Headlines reports that it only comes in two variants, but unlike last year those aren’t black and white. Instead, the Fold will apparently only be available in “Moonstone” and “Jade,” making it the rare phone to not launch in black at all.For more confirmation of those colors, another leaked image from the Play Store shows the full Pixel 10 lineup with the three Pro models all in “Moonstone” and the regular 10 in “Indigo.” Leaker Evan Blass has also shared multiple images of all the phones in two separate collections of leaked images on X.Qi2 chargingIn July, the Wireless Power Consortium announced Qi2 25W, a faster version of the magnetic wireless charging standard, and promised support from “major Android smartphones.” We think that means the Pixel 10 line.Google hasn’t supported Qi2 on its previous Pixels, but there are good reasons to think that might be about to change. The first is that Android Authority reported in June that Google is preparing an ecosystem of magnetic Qi2 accessories under the “Pixelsnap” brand, including two chargers and a stand. This has been followed by later leaks of Pixelsnap cases with rings for magnets, and a recent image of a magnetic charging puck shared by Blass.That latter leak is arguably the most important. While it had previously been thought that Google might follow Samsung in certifying its phones Qi2 Ready, meaning they would support Qi2 charging but not contain the magnets, this image shows a charger attaching magnetically to the phone itself, which implies full Qi2 support, magnets and all.For more evidence of that, we have the size of the new handsets. Android Headlines claims to have the official dimensions and weights of all four phones, and each is heavier than the previous generation, and all but the XL are thicker, too.This could just be because the phones will have bigger batteries, which several reports have suggested. But Google could also be making space for the magnets required to enable Qi2 support.The first IP68 foldableOne rumor that’s circulated for a while is that the Pixel 10 Pro Fold will be the first foldable phone to pack an IP68 rating.By comparison, Samsung’s new Galaxy Z Fold 7 and the Motorola Razr Ultra both have IP48 ratings. That means they’re protected against objects larger than 1mm, but the 10 Pro Fold bumps that up to complete protection against dust and particulates — the highest possible rating for dust protection on the IP scale — while maintaining a high water-resistance rating too.So far, no foldable phone has achieved that level of dust and particle protection, whether sold in the US or otherwise, suggesting that this has involved a pretty impressive feat of engineering on Google’s part to protect the phone’s delicate mechanisms entirely.Chip upgradesBoring, I know — every phone, every year, has a chipset upgrade. But we are expecting more from Google this time around.Android Authority has repeatedly reported that for the new Tensor G5 chip Google is moving manufacturing from Samsung to TSMC, using the same 3nm N3E process Apple uses for the iPhone 16 Pro’s A18 Pro chip. Together with some tweaks to the core layout, that’s expected to produce a significant boost in processing power, closing the gap between Pixels and the competition.AI everywhereAndroid Authority reports that Google is developing several new AI imaging features, though some may be for next year’s Pixel 11. “Sketch-to-Image” will be the Pixel version of a feature already seen on Samsung phones, while “Speak-to-Tweak” should be a voice-based photo editing tool. The latter has more recently been reported by Android Headlines, which claims you’ll be able to use voice prompts for simple edits like “changing backgrounds, brightening images, or removing objects.”Android Headlines reports that a new AI feature called “Camera Coach” will use Gemini to advise you as you’re taking shots, giving advice on adjusting camera angles or lighting to get a better photo before you take it.Android Authority has also reported that the Pixel 10 will have a new virtual assistant called “Pixel Sense,” once rumored to be called “Pixie.” Pixel Sense will reportedly use information from other Google apps to complete tasks across your phone, make predictive suggestions to help you before you ask, and better learn your tastes from all that data. Impressively, that will all be processed on-device.It sounds like a more powerful version of the multimodal actions Google added to Gemini in January, but going by the name, it sounds like a Pixel exclusive.These AI features should arrive alongside Android updates we’ve known about since Google I/O, like the big Material 3 Expressive redesign and a desktop mode based on Samsung’s DeX.Familiar prices and a late FoldIf you’re worried that it sounds like Google hasn’t made many outright hardware upgrades this year, you may be reassured by news that they’re probably not changing their prices either. A leak from Android Headlines includes the alleged US pricing for all four phones, and it’s almost identical to last year’s. Per rumors, the Pixel 10 will start at $799 for 128GB of storage, or $899 for 256GB. The 10 Pro starts at $999 for 128GB, rising all the way up to $1,449 for a 1TB option.The two larger phones could be the only models with price changes. The 10 Pro XL may see a price bump from $1,099 to $1,199, but that’s only because Google has scrapped the phone’s 128GB option, starting at 256GB instead — and matching the 9 Pro XL’s pricing at that and higher storage tiers.Meanwhile, the 10 Pro Fold may stick with a $1,799 starting price for 256GB of storage, but the leak suggests Google is adding a new 1TB option at $2,149.The Fold may also go on sale separately from the other phones. A report from WinFuture, since echoed by Evan Blass, claims that due to “supply chain problems,” the Fold won’t go on sale until October 9th. The Pixel Watch 4 and Buds 2A will reportedly be late too, while the other three phones could hit stores on August 28th.Update, August 14th: Added new Google ad revealing the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, a link to a recent leak of Pixelsnap phone cases, and rumors of an IP68 rating for the Fold.

We're in an age where there's a free alternative for every piece of major paid software that exists. And while that's a good thing, since some of these tools can be quite expensive, not all of them are created equal. With that said, there are alternatives to buying through companies like Microsoft and Adobe at full price, which will get you nearly the same product, and that's what we're looking at here today with this deal from Stack Social.

We review a ton of laptops each year, so it says a lot when we recommend one that everyone should buy. The HP Omnibook Ultra Flip gets pretty much everything right, with its fantastic display, excellent keyboard, unique design, powerful internals, and impressive webcam. In fact, our one major complaint about this laptop was that it was just too expensive, which, thanks to this deal, is no longer a problem.

While I had believed that mind mapping is unsuitable for lengthier works — ones with many intersecting ideas — the reverse is true. Though it’s seemingly daunting with its crisscrossing lines, scattered blocks, and layered notes, consolidating all the ideas into a single view actually lowered my tendency to forget key information. Now, it’s my go-to method for planning out my first drafts.

The Raspberry Pi 5 delivers major upgrades in speed, connectivity, and overall capability, making it an appealing choice for experienced makers. However, more performance does not always mean a better experience for those just starting. For beginners, the Raspberry Pi 4 remains a smarter first step thanks to its lower cost, more straightforward setup, and vast library of beginner-friendly resources. Its maturity and stability help reduce frustration, allowing new users to focus on learning the basics without getting bogged down in hardware complexities. While the Pi 5 is the future of the platform, the Pi 4 still offers a smoother, more accessible introduction to single-board computing. For starters, let's look at the specifications of both SBCs side by side.

HP has updated a number of its existing Omen machines for the newest generation of PC hardware, including the Omen 35L desktop and the Omen 16 gaming laptop, along with the Omen Max 45L, an upgrade to the previous Omen 45L with HP's new branding. But the newest entry in the Omen lineup for this year is the Omen 35L Stealth. Similar to the existing Omen 35L, this is a 35-liter desktop gaming PC with all the same Omen-quality components as the regular 35L.

Linux has a reputation for being difficult to use, especially among those who have only worked with operating systems like Windows or macOS. The truth is, Linux itself is not inherently problematic. In many cases, the core functions are just as simple as those of any other platform. What makes Linux feel challenging is its intolerance for mistakes or misunderstandings. It will often do exactly what you tell it to do, even if that means breaking something in the process. That expectation is part of its philosophy, and while it can be intimidating at first, it also builds skills that last far beyond your first installation.

The Supreme Court will let Mississippi’s social media age verification law take effect while the case is being argued in court. In an unsigned ruling on Thursday, the court declined to block the law after an emergency petition from trade association NetChoice. The order offers no explanation, but in a concurring opinion, Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote that the law was “likely unconstitutional” — but that NetChoice hadn’t“sufficiently demonstrated” a risk of harm.The law, HB 1126, requires social media platforms to verify the age of the person creating the account, while blocking users under 18 unless they have permission from a parent. It also states that social media sites must protect underage users from “harmful material” — such as sexual content and material related to self-harm  — as well as restrict data collection. NetChoice, which is backed by tech giants like Meta, Google, Amazon, Reddit, and Discord, argues that age verification laws for general-purpose social media violate the First Amendment. Though the trade association won an injunction to block the law last year, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals vacated it in April, allowing the law to go into effect. As Justice Kavanaugh noted, however, numerous district courts have blocked similar laws in other states.“To be clear, NetChoice has, in my view, demonstrated that it is likely to succeed on the merits — namely, that enforcement of the Mississippi law would likely violate its members’ First Amendment rights.”Despite this setback, NetChoice is still confident that it will prevail. “Although we’re disappointed with the Court’s decision, Justice Kavanaugh’s concurrence makes clear that NetChoice will ultimately succeed in defending the First Amendment — not just in this case but across all NetChoice’s ID-for-Speech lawsuits,” Paul Taske, co-director of the NetChoice Litigation Center, said in a statement. “This is merely an unfortunate procedural delay.”The decision comes as lawmakers across the US — and around the world — push age verification mandates designed to protect children from harmful content on the internet. In June, the Supreme Court upheld a Texas law that requires users to verify their ages before accessing porn sites, paving the way for similar laws to take effect — but specifically for platforms focused on adult content. Meanwhile, the UK has begun to enforce a broader online age-gating requirement that asks users to verify their age with a government ID, a face scan, or by entering credit card information on certain websites.Jennifer Huddleston, a senior fellow at the Cato Institute, said in a statement that age verification laws have “significant impacts on privacy and speech rights of both adult and teen users.” Huddleston notes that today’s decision doesn’t mean the court “will automatically uphold this law as constitutional should it reach it through the full appeals process.”

I’d stepped into the home lab rabbit hole right as I started uni, which, in hindsight, was a terrible decision for my wallet. However, tinkering with different home servers offered several benefits for my CS major. Thanks to an army of disposable VMs, I never had to worry about dependency hell or cluttered files on my daily driver, while K8s and Proxmox were great for my DevOps projects.