Many of us enjoy settling down in front of the TV and playing video games during the holidays, so why not play some games that spread festive cheer? 12Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Chestnuts roasting on an open fire, mistletoe, and the deafening sound of gunfire.Call of Dutyis back in a big way for 2024, complete with a holiday-themed remix of the iconic Nuketown map. There’s even a 24/7 Holiday Nuketown mode, where you can play a mixed bag of modes in this notoriously fast-paced arena instead of spending quality time with your loved ones....

Is it just me, or does anyone else feel like you blinked and summer is almost over? Now that August is here, it’s time to gear up and get ready for back-to-school. Just because classes are back in session, though, doesn’t mean you can’t have fun or continue getting your fill of entertainment. As your new semester approacheth, if you find yourself dreading it, get yourself in the mood with these 13 back-to-school movies....

Summary TCL has shown off a 4K 1000Hz monitor, the latest in the race to have the highest refresh rate on a flat panel. This has caused many eyes to roll and comments like “there’s no 1000Hz content” to come spilling from the web, but you don’t need special content to enjoy the benefits of such a high refresh rate. I’m excited for somewhat different reasons. Superior Motion Clarity at Any Frame Rate The first thing I thought of when I first saw theannouncement of TCL’s monitorwasn’t frame rates, but motion clarity....

When you’re choosing a Linux distribution, one thing to avoid is a distro that’s not getting regular updates. Active maintenance and development is crucial for security and general reliability. That’s why I’m highlighting a few distros that saw releases with significant changes and improvements last month. 1CachyOS 250713 CachyOS is one of those Arch-made-easy Linux distros that’s made a lot of waves in recent Linux history. Since CachyOS is arolling releasedistro, this OS image is simply a “snapshot” of CachyOS you’re able to download, install, and update....

Summary Apple’s Personal Voice lets you create a synthesized clone of your voice using AI in iOS and macOS. While it’s a nifty feature, it is pretty limited in what you may do with it. We think limiting its use strictly to accessibility features is a missed opportunity. How Does Apple Personal Voice Work? Apple Personal Voice was released withiOS 17andmacOS Sonoma, and is supported on devices from the iPhone 12 onward, as well as Apple Silicon Macs....

Time Machine is Apple’s built-in macOS backup solution. You can use it to create a complete copy of your Mac’s drive so that you can restore your computer if something goes wrong or recover files that are later deleted. You should already be using Time Machine, but if you’re not then there’s no time like the present. Here are some of the ways you can put Apple’s backup service into action....

Quick Links A keen observer such as yourself likely noticed there’s a USB port on the bottom edge of your Google Pixel phone—good eye! However, you’re probably not using the USB-C port to its full potential. Let’s fix that. Transfer Files and Photos More Easily to a Computer If you’re tired of waiting for cloud services to upload and download, your Pixel’s USB-C port offers a direct line to your computer....

The best defense against buyer’s remorse is to learn to spot a bad decision before you make it. Here are a few tricks you can use to be a more mindful shopper. 6Buy Quality That Lasts It can be tempting to save money from the outset by spending less, and sometimes that’s the only choice you have. While it’s not always possible on the strictest of budgets, spending more is often a better choice if it means you come away with a higher-quality item....

Quick Links Summary Double-check you’ve typed your command correctly before you press “Enter.” On Linux, a typo can have destructive repercussions. Use tab completion to autofill as much command line entry as you can. Aliases for long and complicated commands are a great idea, too. The Linux command line delivers great power. The problem is, the correct use of that power hinges on the accuracy of your typing. Here are eight typos you never want to make....

Summary While the Raspberry Pi 5 might be the latest tiny computer, for most people it’s honestly overkill. Instead of a Pi 5, I chose to use a Pi 3 B for a recent deployment in my homelab just last week. Here’s why I chose an older Pi 3 B over the Pi 5, and why I think you should too. The Raspberry Pi 5 Offers Quite a Bit of Power What started as a low-power SBC (single-board computer) has grown into a full-fledged desktop replacement, for all intents and purposes....

Ever since 2013, Amazon allowed a small percentage of revenue from online purchases to go towards select charities, calledAmazonSmile. Now, after almost a decade, the feature is going away. Amazon confirmed that it is shutting down AmazonSmile by August 01, 2025. The company plans to give charities a one-time donation “equivalent to three months of what they earned in 2022” as a transitional step, and will still allow organizations to create Amazon wish lists....

Summary TheAqara Smart Lock U200shows great promise in terms of compatibility, entry options, and ecosystem support, but buggy software, bulky design, loud mechanics, and connectivity issues may be difficult to overlook. Aqara U200 Smart Lock The Aqara U200 Smart Lock has its flaws, but there are plenty that make them easy to overlook. Though noisy and bulky, the numeric keypad features a fingerprint scanner and NFC sensor for multiple means of entry while Matter and Zigbee support make it possible to control remotely and connect with smart hub ecosystems....

Summary Not only can binoculars be used to get started with astronomy, they actually have some advantages over a telescope. Here’s what you need to know. The Risks of Diving Straight in With a Telescope A wise person said that the cheapest way to buy any expensive product is to “buy the right thing first.” In other words, don’t buy a cheap model first, which you’ll later replace with a better model, and eventually with the best model for your needs....