Tech

Google recently got a lot of flack for its aggressive campaign to push Google Meet to everyone and inserting links to it in apps like Gmail. Now it seems that Microsoft is following suit, though not with Microsoft Teams. Instead, the latest Windows 10 Insider Preview Build reveals the company's plans to make Meet Now in Skype as an integral part of the Windows experience. Whether it will be received more favorably will depend on Insider feedback.

Continue Reading

We live in a digital and mobile world but, ironically, many of the things we deal with still aren't designed to fit both. Electronic documents that come in PDF form are one of the biggest offenders and while there is no shortage of PDF reader apps for phones, actually reading them on small screens is an entirely different matter. To address that problem, Adobe has embarked on a multi-year campaign to make PDFs behave better without actually changing them and the first stop in that journey is the new Liquid Mode for Acrobat Reader on mobile.

Continue Reading

When it comes to PCs, power is most often associated with size. After all, you can't really escape the laws of physics so the more power you need, the more and bigger components you need. That said, you might not actually really need all that power and some desktops try to make a compromise in size, performance, and price. The MINISFORUM H31G Mini PC is one such example and, depending on your needs, it might actually hit the sweet spot even for some gamers.

Continue Reading

Garmin has unveiled its new Venu Sq and Venu Sq Music Edition smartwatches, two models targeted at the average consumer who wants smartwatch functionality alongside extensive fitness and health features. The models are very similar, both offering GPS and heart rate monitoring, among other things, but the Music Edition quite obviously differs in one big way: it enables users to stream their favorite music without using their phone, a feature particularly useful for evening runs and time spent at the gym.

Continue Reading

Google has announced a new layer of data that is rolling out in Google Maps, giving users information about COVID-19 case numbers for cities, states, and countries around the world. With this information, Google Maps users can readily see whether the area they're in or planning to visit currently a hot zone, ultimately helping users make more informed choices about their activities. The feature will be limited to mobile users.

Continue Reading

Today the Google Pixel 4a 5G was revealed in an unofficial capacity in a manner similar to Tuesday's leak of the Pixel 5. This device may seem like a traditional bump from one iteration of a phone to a (5G) version - but it's not as simple as all that. Instead, we're getting a similar name, basically the same software, and the same amount of data storage - and a few kicks in the pants.

Continue Reading

Samsung is enabling ECG readings for its Galaxy Watch 3 and Galaxy Watch Active 2, upgrading the health-tracking feature having recently received FDA approval. The ability to take electrocardiogram readings puts the two smartwatches in relatively rare company, including the Apple Watch and a handful of others.

Continue Reading

Apple's new iPad Air may be treading on the toes of the iPad Pro right now, but the flagship iPadOS tablet may have a surprise in store to again justify its premium position. The next iPad Pro refresh is believed to be the recipient of the next big thing on Apple's display roadmap, mini-LED.

Continue Reading

Samsung says it's for the fans, the price tag says it's for Android phone buyers on a budget, and the name says it's part of the popular Galaxy S20 family. Question is, just where does the Galaxy S20 FE 5G actually shake out, compared to the rest of Samsung's increasingly-crowded range and phones like the Galaxy A71?

Continue Reading

Amazon has denied taking on Peloton with a cut-price exercise bike under its Prime brand, scolding fitness tech-maker Echelon for implying otherwise. The Echelon EX-Prime Smart Connect Bike was priced at $499 on Amazon, and pitched as a collaboration between Echelon and the retailer to bring connected fitness features to a much lower price point.

Continue Reading

The Galaxy S20 family is gaining a new member, and according to Samsung the new Galaxy S20 Fan Edition 5G is just what its most vocal enthusiasts have been asking for. Slotting in at the entry-level of the S20 range, the $699 smartphone still has three cameras on the rear, Super Zoom technology, and a big display, but makes some compromises along the way to hit that price point.

Continue Reading

A lot of people underestimated the psychological impact of working from home during this pandemic, presuming it would actually be more liberating since you didn't have to come into work every day. Quite the opposite, this new "WFH" lifestyle may have actually increased people's stress because of the lack of separation of work and personal time, lack of a dedicated space for work, and other elements that have been taken for granted in office spaces. While it can't really replace your shrink, Microsoft Teams is introducing features that it hopes will keep workers sane which, in turn, will keep them coming back to the app again and again.

Continue Reading