Quick Links Stop opening new files or installing apps on your Windows PC without trying them out in Windows Sandbox first. This built-in mini-Windows is totally isolated from your main installation, so if you aren’t already using it for testing, you should start today. What is Windows Sandbox? TheWindows Sandboxis a feature that provides users with a completely isolated Windows environment to test in. It’s been available since Windows 10 19H1 to users with a Windows 10 or 11 Pro, Enterprise, or Education license....

Quick Links The Start Menu is one of the most iconic parts of Windows, and it receiveda pretty major overhaul with Windows 11. There are some nice features hidden in the settings that you might not know about. Let’s unearth them. Move the Start Menu to the Left One of the biggest changes in Windows 11 is the placement of the Start Menu on the taskbar. By default, the Start Menu and apps pinned to the taskbar are centered....

Summary Many people think that you need to use the terminal to properly control and tweak a Linux PC. While that might’ve been true 10 years ago, today, it’s nothing more than a myth. So let’s change how Ubuntu looks, feels, and operates without even opening the terminal or writing a single line of code. I’ll be using theUbuntu 24.04 LTSrelease in this showcase. However, the tips and steps mentioned here should also work on previous releases....

Quick Links Summary If your Wi-Fi router is five years old or older, can’t handle your full internet connection, drops devices off your network, or requires you to frequently reboot it, then it’s time for an upgrade. It’s easy to treat your Wi-Fi router like an appliance, just running it like an old fridge until it eventually dies and you’re forced to replace it. Here are some key signs that your router is due for an upgrade (and why you shouldn’t wait to replace it)....

you may stick Linux in just about anything, and that’s a big part of what makes it special. So here are some fun but still vaguely practical devices people have stuck Linux inside of. 1ClockworkPi ClockworkPiis what happens when a handful of people with a passion for both games and coding get together to pursue their dream of creating their own handheld game console. The result is a device that resembles a Raspberry Pi in a 3D-printed Game Boy case, only you don’t have to put it together yourself....

You may be familiar with 8BitDo’spremium gamepads, which tend to stick with tried-and-true designs. 8BitDo isn’t just a gaming hardware company, though — it makes a lot of other stuff, too. Today marks the launch of the8BitDo Micro, a keychain-sized controller that weighs just 24.8 grams (about half a pound) but offers a full selection of buttons, minus an analog stick. The 8BitDo Micro is primarily made for Nintendo Switch and Android devices, but it also offers a “keyboard mode” that opens some interesting possibilities on PCs and tablets....

Forget about power banks and smallportable power stations. This week atCES 2025, Bluetti unveiled a new unit that’s perfect for the home, camping, powering RVs, or charging EVs. The latestBluetti Apex 300is an all-in-one, scalable, and capable power option that has my attention. A single Bluetti Apex 300 delivers 3840W (3,072Wh) of power in a fairly compact package packed with ports and an adjustable dual voltage switch. This is great for those looking tobuy a power station....

Summary You typically get phones through carriers, but with the rise of other kinds of devices with cellular support, lines are needed for those devices as well. Most carriers offer tablet and smartwatch lines, and now, Boost Mobile is joining the fray. Boost Mobile announced today it is expanding its device offerings for the first time to include tablets and smartwatches, starting off with popular Apple products. The mobile service provider will now sell various models of Apple iPad and Apple Watch directly to its customers, accompanied by new dedicated monthly data plans....

Summary One of the major issues with handheld PCs, if notthebiggest issue, is their poor battery life. The only way to remedy said issue is to cram bigger batteries into PC handhelds and make them less portable, right? Well, there’s another solution: wireless charging! Wireless Charging Is Faster Than You Think In a nutshell, the idea is to equipPC gaming handheldswithwireless chargingand magnets and then simply use snap-on,MagSafe-like battery packs to give them extra juice....

Quick Links Between the ever-increasing gas prices and all theaffordable electric cars coming in 2023, many consumers are considering an EV. And while your electric car will save you at the pump andrequires less maintenance, EVs cost more to insure. While this is slowly becoming less of an issue, electric car insurance is indeed more expensive than your gas guzzler. Even the same car model will cost more if it’s an EV or PHEV....

2024 has been a horrible year for emulation, but at least we still have Dolphin, the Nintendo GameCube and Wii emulator. The emulator is still in constant development, and the latest progress report outlining all the recent changes and bug fixes. Likeprevious progress reportsfor Dolphin, many of the updates are background changes meant to enhance compatibility of specific games. While you might notice the effects of these updates on those specific games, the experience will be unchanged for others....

Quick Links Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) are anexcellent choice for buyerswho want to spend less time at the gas pump and enjoy the efficiency of an EV without going all-in on the technology. That said, there are several things you’ll want to consider, and don’t treat it like a regular electric vehicle. Whether you just bought a PHEV or are planning to get one, it’s important to remember that these vehicles don’t have the driving range of a fully electric car, and there’s still a gasoline-powered engine to worry about....

Quick Links Summary Now thatApple has lifted its long-time ban on retro game emulators, it’s easier than ever to dive into the nostalgic ocean of retro gaming. But those in pursuit of the purest pixelated platforming experience would do well to explore the world of flash cartridges, a place where retro consoles meet modern sensibilities. A Quick Word on Piracy It’s important to note that while emulation itself is legal, downloading game ROMs you do not own is considered piracy....