Quick Links Confused about the different package managers on Ubuntu? Here’s a quick breakdown of apt, Snaps, and Flatpaks that explains how each works and what kind of advantages and disadvantages you can expect from each. What Are Linux Package Managers? Package managers on Linux are special tools designed to handle the installation, removal, and updating of both Linux operating system components and software. Virtually all software is made up of many different modular pieces, most often called dependencies....

Quick Links AI assistants are becoming so prevalent and advanced that one day, instead of parents saying “Go ask your mother,” they’ll be saying, “Go ask Alexa.” It must be a bit odd for a young child growing up with an AI assistant like Siri or Alexa or Cortana. There’s essentially another authority figure in your house that has no face and is never too tired to help with homework or play games....

ASUS is coming with a great business laptop as a strong competitor designed to go head-to-head with the popular MacBook Air. The 2025 ExpertBook B5 comes in 14-inch or 16-inch options, though the price might be a bit too high for some potential buyers. Performance-wise, the ExpertBook B5 is impressive. It runs on Intel Core Ultra 7 Series 2 processors, with options going up to the Intel Core Ultra 7 vPro Processor 265H, which has 16 cores and 16 threads and delivers strong AI performance with up to 13 NPU TOPS and 99 total platform TOPS....

Quick Links Summary TheBeats Studio Promight resemble 6-year-old Beats Studio 3 headphones, but they’ve been updated with better performance and a universal USB-C port. It’s hard not to like what these premium headphones offer for casual listeners or music enthusiasts, even if the design is a bit tired. Beats Studio Pro Premium Beats headphones with ANC, transparency, and support for lossless audio over USB-C. An Old Design but Mostly a Comfortable Fit For better or worse, Beats is sticking with the same design for these Studio Pro headphones that have been around for years....

Quick Links Summary You might think smart homes are only for people who own their property, but it’s surprisingly easy to create one as a renter and even take it all with you when you leave. Today we’ll look at options that are 100% renter-friendly, as well as some of those that may require a bit more thought (or discussion) with your letting agent. Why Renters Think Smart Homes Aren’t an Option There are a couple of reasons renters might think that smart homes are only for homeowners....

I’m a sucker for tech that forgoes frills in favor of refinement. TheCherry XTRFY M68 Wirelessexemplifies this, except unlike the high-end gaming mice it’s comparable to, it makes smart cuts to maintain a midrange price point. The result is close to perfect, so long as you don’t need Bluetooth. Cherry XTRFY M68 Wireless An ultralight wireless gaming mouse with low-profile mouse buttons that connects using 2.4 GHz wireless (no Bluetooth). It weighs 53 grams and is great for people with small hands....

Corsair just launchedthe K70 MAX, its first mechanical keyboard with CORSAIR MGX magnetic hall effect switches. This $230 keyboard is a bit niche, but it offers extreme customization that may appeal to some gamers, especially those who want to use a single keyboard for gaming, writing, working, and other tasks. You may know abouthall effect joysticks, which are not affected by “drift” and other common problems. Hall effect keyboard switches serve a different purpose — they allow a user to set their preferred actuation point (the amount of travel distance required to register a key press)....

Quick Links Have you ever wished your phone would stop buzzing so aggressively with every notification? Android 15’s Adaptive Vibration might be the feature you’ve been waiting for. What Is Adaptive Vibration? Adaptive Vibration is a feature inAndroid 15that automatically adjusts your phone’s vibration intensity based on your surroundings. It uses the phone’s microphone and sensors to detect noise levels around you, adjusting vibration strength accordingly. This way, your phone won’t buzz too loudly in calm places, and in noisier environments, it increases intensity, so notifications are easier to notice....

Quick Links I started running seriously in 2020, but even before that, my music-playing Apple Watch and a pair of earbuds really motivated me to get outside more often. The gear you use can make a difference. Here are the products I use to run over 100 miles each month. Headphones Listening to audiobooks and podcasts has allowed me to stay productive while running daily. A good pair of earbuds that can do spoken word and music well is key....

Microsoft and Qualcomm are ready to roll out a new generation of powerful ARM-powered Windows laptops, and PC makers are along for the ride. Samsung has now revealed the Galaxy Book 4 Edge laptop with a Snapdragon X Elite chipset and AI features. TheGalaxy Book 4 Edgeis one of several computers in the first wave of “Copilot+ PCs,” meaning it has the hardware required forAI-powered ‘Recall’ search, Live Captions with real-time translation, more Windows Studio Effects, and other tasks that use on-device large language models (LLMs)....

Quick Links After a long wait, Google’s second-gen Nest Doorbell (Wired) is finally here. And with it comes the announcement of a redesigned Google Home app, which places a greater emphasis on camera feeds, routines, and automation. Additionally, Google Home will come to Wear OS and your browser in the coming weeks. Nest Doorbell (Wired) Gen 2 Shortly after launching theNest Doorbell (Battery)in late 2021,Google told usthat a wired version would arrive in 2022....

Quick Links Gmail has long been one of Google’s tentpole services, but for a brief period of time, the company experimented with a different email app. It was called “Inbox by Gmail,” and despite a loving fanbase, it eventually got the axe. Inbox by Gmail is Introduced The year was 2014, and it was a particularly eventful year for Google. The company acquired Nest and DeepMind AI. Android Wear (now Wear OS), Android Auto, and Android TV were all launched....

I grew tired of paying for Google One storage just to use Google Photos. Plus, I wanted more privacy and security over my stored pictures. What did I do? I built my own server to replace Google Photos, and you’re able to too. Why Would You Want to Stop Using Google Photos? While it’s very much a personal preference, not everyone wants to allow Google (or any big tech company) full access to every picture or video they take....