Search results for 'Features' - Page: 13
| CNet News - 16 May (CNet News)Rejoice! Android 15 Beta 2 drops today. Read...Newslink ©2024 to CNet News | |
| | | PC World - 16 May (PC World)Virtual machines, simulated PCs with their own operating systems running within another computer’s software, are super freakin’ cool. (That’s a technical term, I’m a professional technology writer.) But they’re not easy to set up, especially if you’re a newbie. They just got a lot easier, because VMware made its popular Workstation Pro and Fusion Pro VM software free for personal use.
get windows 11 pro for cheap
Windows 11 Pro
Most users who are looking for a free solution to running a virtual copy of Windows, Linux, or any other operating system on a PC typically go with Oracle’s VirtualBox, which is open-source and powerful, but not especially user-friendly. As a professional product with decades of development and support, VMware Workstation is far more accessible.
Workstation Pro can be downloaded here, Fusion Pro here. Workstation is for installation on Windows and Linux, Fusion for Mac, and both can be used to run more or less any modern operating system virtually.
As BleepingComputer notes, this shift in direction follows Broadcomm’s somewhat tumultuous acquisition of VMware last year. VMware’s Workstation Player and Fusion Player software are being discontinued as a result of this change. (The Player programs are the equivalent of Adobe Reader versus Acrobat, they allow you to open VMware virtual machines but not make changes or access all features.)
VMware’s post on the switch to a free model notes that anyone who uses the software for commercial purposes will need to buy a license key and enter it during the setup process. Most professional customers have a licensing deal set up with Broadcomm, but individual commercial users will need to subscribe for $120 a year. Don’t get caught using a free personal license in a commercial environment or you’ll no doubt be handed a big bill in return.
Full disclosure: The writer’s father is an employee of VMware, but was not contacted for this article.
Virtual Machines Read...Newslink ©2024 to PC World | |
| | | PC World - 16 May (PC World)The difference between the real world and the AI world is a flight of a dozen stairs.
In my basement office, I listened to what Google presented at Google I/O. I heard executives talk about search, Android, and Project Astra: a future multimodal “universal agent” that can understand audio and video, built around versions of Gemini both large and small. One million tokens is a big deal, right?
I guess. But to whom?
What I heard at Google I/O was a future that…is still in the future, for a price that most people can’t afford, and with features that were developed by Google employees for Google employees. It’s a Google that, more and more, seems to have lost the plot.
Everything’s not here yet
For the most part, what Google presented at Google I/O was science fiction. Instead of showing us what the future is, now, Google showed us what it might bring, tomorrow. It’s a future hidden behind jargon, inside developer previews and experiments within Google.Labs — and even then, those experiments aren’t scheduled to actually begin until sometime in the future. Remember, this is a company with a well-established penchant for development ADD, where products go to die when their developers lose interest. Do I think that Google doesn’t believe in AI? Of course not. But I’m not convinced that anything Google showed Tuesday will make its way into the real world, either.
(Remember Google’s ultra-realistic videoconferencing tool, Project Starline? It debuted at Google I/O 2021. Google and HP said this week that it will be commercialized next year.)
Downstairs in my office, everything is amazing. Take Project Astra, Google’s new vision for AI assistants. Someone wanders around the office using AI to ask questions about what the AI is seeing. What bandname would the AI give for a golden retriever and his stuffed chew toy? Explain this code to me, and how this database diagram could be improved.
That’s cool, no doubt. But to whom? Google employees, that’s who. Does Google expect that I’m going to point my smartphone camera at a head of broccoli and ask what to do with it? I hope not.
I might see myself wandering about a woodshop, asking Google what a miter saw is good for, for example. But I certainly wouldn’t trust YouTube to teach me how to use it responsibly. My colleague Michael Crider found some middle ground: using video as a search input, then asking Google for context. That’s a bit smarter.
I understand what Google is going for with Astra — improved visual search — and it is going to debut in the Gemini app for Android this fall, via a feature called Live. I’m just not sure how many people will want to use it. Or when it will actually arrive.
Why do the useful things cost so much?
But it doesn’t feel real. It doesn’t feel accessible. Is it useful? I’m not sure. That’s why the most meaningful announcement from Google I/O 2024 feels so refreshing: the integration of Gmail and Google’s Gemini AI, to allow you to question (for example) exactly what went on in an email thread. This is what Google was built upon: making search (and later email) accessible, easy, and simple to use. It makes sense!
This actually felt useful! But it’s also a premium feature, instead of one that Google could use to lure more customers.
This actually felt useful! But it’s also a premium feature, instead of one that Google could use to lure more customers.Google
This actually felt useful! But it’s also a premium feature, instead of one that Google could use to lure more customers.Google
Google
Even then, though, there was very little that signaled to me that Google understood that people use its products — people that can’t sit down to a $200 sushi lunch at the drop of a hat.
The Gmail integration, as cool as it sounds, is locked behind a $20/month AI Premium subscription for Google Workspace. A chunk of the Gemini app presentation was devoted to a trip planner. Google Search showed how restaurants could be organized by patio seating and live music. For that matter, Search is now largely organized around “summaries” that tend to ignore the source of the actual information, i.e. writers like me. This all benefits techies with six-figure salaries and stock options.
Most of AI feels…similar. There are LLM chatbots, like Copilot, Gemini, and ChatGPT. There’s AI art, like Veo, Google’s most advanced video generation model, and Imagen 3, which the company calls its “highest quality text-to-image model yet.” (Those are coming in the future, too, after Google completes its collaborations with people like Donald Glover.)
Google’s slowly assimilating more and more of the web in the name of convenience.
Google’s slowly assimilating more and more of the web in the name of convenience.Google
Google’s slowly assimilating more and more of the web in the name of convenience.Google
Google
But you know what the best thing I saw this week was? Something that felt fresh? Even welcoming? The synthesized AI voices that OpenAI showed off in ChatGPT. I know they’re fake. I know they’re designed to play upon your emotions, to make you think that you’re talking to a person. But it works! It feels human. And it’s a return to the early days of AI, when chatbots from Microsoft and others at least seemed real.
At lunch, I walked upstairs to say hello to my wife, who was working. I asked if she would mind paying $20 per month just to make sense of her email. She just snorted. Last night, I showed my 11-year-old son the OpenAI demos, and he wanted to watch every one.
I remember when Google made my life easier. Now I think it’s forgotten how.
Personal Software Read...Newslink ©2024 to PC World | |
| | | PC World - 16 May (PC World)I don’t know about you, but with the weather warming up, I love taking my laptop to the yard and working in the sun for a bit. That’s when my Baseus laptop power bank comes in handy, allowing me to keep my computer and phone going without having to scoot closer to the outlet. You can do this, too, because the Baseus Blade 100W is on sale at Amazon for just $63.
Yes, I understand that the price you see on the product page may be different. However, when you apply the promotional code CD3N56TO at checkout, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to see an additional 10 percent discount. This means that the $129.99 power bank is now available for just $62.98. It’s like magic! It’s also the best price this power bank has seen thus far.
What makes the Baseus Blade special? So many things. The Blade boasts a 20000mAh battery that supports 100W fast charging, allowing you to recharge a third of your laptop’s battery in just half an hour.
I personally use the Blade 2, which has a 12000mAh battery and 60W charging, and I can’t help but wish I had the first model instead.
The original Baseus Blade also has more ports. It features two USB-C ports that support 100W output and 65W input, so you can plug in pretty much any device you own. There are also two fast-charging USB-A ports for those who like a more traditional approach.
One of the things I enjoy the most about the Blade, however (and I’m sure you will too), is that it’s super slim and light. This power bank looks like it’s been on a diet its entire “life” since it’s only 0.7 inches thick. It will fit in nicely in the same sleeve as your laptop does. It’s also just over one pound, so it won’t weigh you down.
When my phone battery is running low, and I need only to take my purse out and about, the model I have fits nicely and this one would too, since they’re pretty much the same size. In fact, it fits way better than the power bank I purchased specifically for my phone a while back, which is heavier and a lot bulkier.
If you don’t need as much power and would prefer to get the newer Baseus Blade 2, that one’s on sale too for $62.99 (down from $99.99) at Amazon right now as well. But like I said above, I have it and wish I had the first-gen model instead.
Get the Baseus Blade laptop power bank for $62.98 at Amazon
Laptop Accessories Read...Newslink ©2024 to PC World | |
| | | PC World - 16 May (PC World)Suppose you often go off the beaten path, camping in the wilderness, or you’re just tired of running power cords across your yard for the kids to trip over whenever you want to plug in your phone and laptop while chilling in a lounge chair. Whichever the case, you need a portable power station. Luckily for you, the Bluetti EB3A is over $100 off right now at Amazon, dropping the power station to just $198 — its best price yet.
Don’t be fooled by its compact size; the Bluetti EB3A is a true powerhouse. With a robust 600W AC inverter and a 268Wh battery pack, it’s more than capable of breathing life into your gadgets. If you plug in one of those mini-fridges, it will even keep your… “juice” cold for a few hours.
Plus, it’s so lightweight and compact that you can easily carry it around in one hand, making it the perfect companion for your outdoor adventures.
The coolest part about the Bluetti EB3A is that it features nine outlets, allowing you to charge all sorts of devices. There are two AC outlets, two USB-A, one Type-C port, and even a wireless charger, so you can use the power station as a table for your phone and have it ready for your next doom-scrolling session in no time.
Those who love going off the grid can get the Bluetti EB3A and pair it with a solar panel. In fact, there’s a bundle that’s almost $200 off right now, pairing the EB3A with a 120W solar panel that is super easy to carry anywhere.
Of course, this setup is also excellent for home use, especially when there are power outages, and you need to keep your devices alive until things get fixed. Just find a sunny spot, open the solar panel, plug in your devices in the station, and wait for the power company to work its magic.
With or without the solar panel, the Bluetti EB3A is a fantastic addition to any home. It’s one of those things you don’t realize just how useful it can be until you’re desperate for a reliable power source.
If you want a lot more power, be prepared to shell out a lot more money, too. The Bluetti AC200MAX is $1249 for Prime members, down from its usual $1699. With a large battery capacity of 2048Wh and a strong inverter (2200W), this is a great choice for those who need power to keep large appliances going or folks who own an RV.
Get the Bluetti EB3A portable power station for $198 at Amazon
Power Read...Newslink ©2024 to PC World | |
| | | PC World - 15 May (PC World)With the iPhone 15 adopting USB-C, you’re probably wondering what’s the “best USB-C charger” to pair with your new phone for the fastest charging.
The good news for iPhone 15 chargers (unlike Samsung Galaxy owners) is you don’t need to take a night-class in chargers to figure it out.
Just buy this charger for the iPhone 15
In fact, I’ll break it down in the easiest possible way for those who want the elevator pitch: Just buy this $15 Anker 511 GAN charger that’s tiny and can charge your phone at its maximum rate.
I’m a big fan of the Anker 511 Nano 3 and have personally purchased at least four of them for personal use and “loans” to family members, who I have realized follow the book rule—you never lend books to people (because you never get them back).
Further reading: Best USB-C cables 2024: Get quality charging and data transfers
The Anker 511 GAN Nano 3 is basically the size of Apple’s original USB-A A1385 5-watt charger but can supply up to 30-watts over USB-C, and it features folding prongs so it won’t poke things in your bag or suffer a bent prong.
The 30-watt Anker 511 Nano 3 is best paired with the larger iPhone 15 Plus and iPhone 15 Pro Max, but if you have the smaller iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 15, you can save $5 and just get the 20-watt Anker 511 Nano Pro instead (just note the Nano Pro doesn’t have folding prongs).
I trust ChargerLAB
Before we go too far, I should disclose that I have not been able to actually test Apple’s iPhone 15-series using the Anker 511 Nano 3 or any charger as I’m a Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra user and don’t have access to an iPhone 15-series phone.
The thing is, I didn’t have to go through the painful process of charging and discharging the phone multiple times to make my recommendation, as I was able to simply watch ChargerLAB’s videos that did the work for me here. Yes, I peaked at someone else’s homework in class, but I fully trust ChargerLAB as the company actually makes several items including the Power-Z KM003C tester that I use when evaluating USB-C hardware.
ChargerLAB conducted tests of the iPhone 15 Pro Max, the iPhone 15 Plus, the iPhone 15 Pro and also the iPhone 15. ChargerLAB’s results shows the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro both max out at about 20 watts. The iPhone 15 Pro Max and iPhone 15 Plus, with their roughly 35 percent larger batteries, will typically charge at about 26 watts from empty.
ChargerLAB’s tests show the iPhone 15 Pro Max tops out at just 26 watts and charges on the 9 volt rail at just under 3 amps.
ChargerLAB’s tests show the iPhone 15 Pro Max tops out at just 26 watts and charges on the 9 volt rail at just under 3 amps.
ChargerLAB
ChargerLAB’s tests show the iPhone 15 Pro Max tops out at just 26 watts and charges on the 9 volt rail at just under 3 amps.
ChargerLAB
ChargerLAB
Nerd Talk
In nerd talk, the iPhone 15 Pro Max and iPhone 15 Plus will usually charge on the “9 volt rail” at about 3 amps while the smaller iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 will use the same 9 volt rail but draw about 2 amps. All four phones will initially start to charge at 9 volts, and eventually drop to 5 volts to trickle charge the battery to preserve its health.
This is normal behavior I’ve observed in testing the charging behavior of my daughter’s iPhone 14, which charges around 20 watts on the 9 volt rail at about 2 amps before dropping to 5 volts at the end. For the most part, it doesn’t look like Apple changed much of the charge circuits between the iPhone 14-series and the iPhone 15-series despite the iPhone 14 using Apple’s Lightning vs. the iPhone 15’s USB-C.
From looking at my daughter’s iPhone 14, I can see it charges using the 9 volt rail at just over 2 amps which means a 20 watt charger will work just fine.
From looking at my daughter’s iPhone 14, I can see it charges using the 9 volt rail at just over 2 amps which means a 20 watt charger will work just fine.
Gordon Mah Ung
From looking at my daughter’s iPhone 14, I can see it charges using the 9 volt rail at just over 2 amps which means a 20 watt charger will work just fine.
Gordon Mah Ung
Gordon Mah Ung
Just buy any USB-PD charger
If your eyes are glazing over by now, the key take away from this is that it’s not complicated at all for iPhone 15 owners.
While I’m recommending the Anker 511 Nano 3 for most because I love its size, weight and cost, Apple’s straight-forward use of the USB Power Delivery standard means just about any quality USB Power Delivery charger that can deliver 9 volts at 3 amps—or from 20 watts to 30 watts will give you the fastest charging on any iPhone 15.That means a Dell, HP, Lenovo or Apple laptop charger should work fine. Find a good deal on a Ugreen, Nekteck, or Satechi USB Power Delivery charger in the range of 20 watts to 30 watts or more? They should give you excellent fast charging. Want a multi-port charger instead? Go for it—you’ll be OK.
Pretty much any USB Power Delivery charger that can hit 20 watts to 30 watts will give you the fastest USB-C charging on an iPhone 15.
Pretty much any USB Power Delivery charger that can hit 20 watts to 30 watts will give you the fastest USB-C charging on an iPhone 15. Gordon Mah Ung
Pretty much any USB Power Delivery charger that can hit 20 watts to 30 watts will give you the fastest USB-C charging on an iPhone 15. Gordon Mah Ung
Gordon Mah Ung
Sure, the iPhone’s charging is a slower compared to Samsung’s Galaxy series, which can push 45 watts. But at least you don’t have to break your brain not only looking for a 45-watt charger, but one that also supports advanced PPS charging greater than 4 amps as well as a 5 amp charger cable to pair with it.
So either go with the recommended Anker options or just pick a trusted brand you like and don’t stress about it iPhone 15 owners.
Mobile Phone Chargers Read...Newslink ©2024 to PC World | |
| | | CNet News - 15 May (CNet News)Did you know a few iPhone features can help you relax and get ready for bed? Read...Newslink ©2024 to CNet News | |
| | | CNet News - 15 May (CNet News)You can get all these features now by downloading the latest update. Read...Newslink ©2024 to CNet News | |
| | | ITBrief - 15 May (ITBrief)Kissflow earns a spot in Gartner’s 2024 report in the Established Quadrant for Low-Code Platforms, gaining praise for user-friendly features and strong support. Read...Newslink ©2024 to ITBrief | |
| | | BBCWorld - 15 May (BBCWorld)A new portrait of King Charles unveiled on Tuesday features on a number of Wednesday`s front pages. Read...Newslink ©2024 to BBCWorld | |
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