News from the web

Power surges can happen when you least expect—and when they do, your pricey tech devices and gadgets can get damaged. Whether phones, laptops, desktops, monitors, or gaming consoles, they’re all at risk and deserve surge protection. Well, this Anker Surge Protector will provide that protection and give you peace of mind for just $22. ...   PC World

Microsoft is making a big push to get Windows laptops running Arm hardware, the same transition that Apple made over four years ago. Qualcomm is partner in the effort, putting its flagship Snapdragon X Elite chips into tons of new laptops, including the latest Surface designs. ...   PC World

Oof, Windows is having a rough week. Only five days after a massive CrowdStrike update-slash-outage made headlines for crippling IT infrastructure all over the world (which, admittedly, is a CrowdStrike problem and not a Windows problem), a security update for Windows itself is sending PCs into recovery. The specter of the Blue Screen of Death is haunting IT admins this summer, apparently. ...   PC World

At a glanceExpert's Rating ProsImaging, file, and folder backup, cloningUses Window’s own VHD format for imagesEasy and flawless operationallyConsNo boot disc for disaster recoveryRental only — no perpetual license, though restore remains possibleMinor interface peccadilloesOur VerdictThough it can’t be used for disaster recovery, UBackIt otherwise shines in simplicity and operation. ...   PC World

Back on Patch Day (July 9, 2024), Microsoft released KB5040427, a cumulative update that brought important changes and fixes for Windows 10, closing several security vulnerabilities in the operating system. We highly advise installing it if you haven’t already. ...   PC World

Once in a while, we come across these multi-function thingamajigs that leave us wondering why we haven’t thought of that particular combo of functions before—like the Hiwevvy telescopic camping light that’s now available for $88, down from its $110 MSRP. This camping light is more than just a light source. ...   PC World

At a GlanceExpert's Rating ProsExtremely affordable lifetime plan10 simultaneous connectionsFree cloud storage and password manager includedConsSmaller feature setNot the best for streamingOur VerdictFastestVPN is extremely affordable, allows up to 10 simultaneous connections, and has decent enough speeds. ...   PC World

Most people who use the Home Edition of Windows 10 and 11 are unlikely to be aware that their computer also comes with a Microsoft encryption tool. On many computers, it’s even activated by default. But Microsoft’s “BitLocker” hard drive encryption has always been one of the functions defining the Pro version of the operating system. ...   PC World

TL;DR: Pick up a 1-year Costco Gold Star Membership and a $40 Digital Costco Shop Card* for $60. If you’re looking to stretch your budget further and access incredible value and a wide range of products, this may be just the promotion for you. For a limited time, you can get a 1-year Costco Gold Star Membership and a $40 Digital Costco Shop Card* for $60. ...   PC World

If you’re the kind of person who keeps tons of open tabs in Chrome, you’ve probably noticed that your PC performance suffers after a while—especially if you’re doing more than just reading articles. Fortunately, in the latest beta version of Chrome, there’s a new feature that warns you when a particular tab is consuming too many resources. ...   PC World

We love finding good deals and that’s exactly what we’ve found with this sleek Beelink mini PC that’s down to $339 at Amazon (normally $436). While far from a gaming rig, this mini PC configuration is exceptional if all you need to do is work, browse, and watch videos. The Beelink SER5 Pro features an AMD Ryzen 7 processor as well as a massive 32GB of DDR4 RAM. ...   PC World

There are awesome deals, and then there are insane deals like this one—a 15.6-inch HP Victus gaming laptop for just $599 at Walmart. It usually goes for $979, which makes this an awesome discount for sure. ...   PC World

At a glanceExpert's Rating ProsSolid, well-made, and looks niceGood power from the USB-C portGood performanceConsPrice tag is too highDo gamers need a gaming USB-C dock?Doesn’t quite deliver on the specsOur VerdictRazer’s USB-C Dock carries with it Razer’s excellent reputation and aesthetic appeal. But it’s overpriced, and falls short in what it promises it can do. ...   PC World

Google has been talking up a post-cookie future (in the browser sense, not the diet sense) for years now. But it seems like the company isn’t as confident as it used to be in its ability to completely re-shape the internet… or it might be balking under regulator scrutiny. ...   PC World

If you want to take your adventures to the next level this summer, be sure to record them—perhaps with this GoPro Hero10 Black that’s down to just $199 at Amazon and Best Buy. That’s a big drop from its $449 MSRP, meaning you can save $250 with this deal. This is a fantastic price for a tiny, waterproof action camera that can record video in up to 5. ...   PC World

When you connect a USB stick to your computer, a notification with the title “AutoPlay” and the prompt: “Select an action for removable storage devices” appears by default. After clicking on it, Windows offers you the following three options: “Configure storage settings,” “Open folder to view files,” and “Do nothing. ...   PC World

Positive Grid has announced the launch of Spark 2, the next evolution of their smart guitar practice amplifiers and Bluetooth speakers. Engineered for acoustic, electric guitar,... Read More   KVR Audio

iPhone, iPad / Education / Games, Ear Trainig: • Suitable for beginners to advanced musicians with all the essential ear training exercises in various levels. • Quickly develop aural skills by personalising your training by focusing on specific chords, intervals, progressions, scales etc. •...   440Software

iPhone, iPad / Portable Studio / DJ: Cross DJ Pro is the perfect app to mix and perform DJ sets on the go! MIX AND PERFORM LIVE • Start your mix with the essential 2-deck DJ setup • Easily import and sort your music library by title, artist, album, BPM or length • Shape and resample your...   440Software