Today's NYT Connections Hints and Answer for July 1 (#386)

Quick Links Connections is a game from the New York Times that challenges you to find the association between words. It sounds easy, but it isn’t—Connections categories can be almost anything, and they’re usually quite specific. If you need a hand getting the answers, we’ve got you covered. What Is Connections? Connections is a game from the New York Times. The objective is simple: sort 16 words into groups of 4....

August 17, 2025 · 3 min · 451 words · Pamela Jones

Top Tech Deals: iPad Pro, Anker Power Bank, USB-C Chargers, and More!

We’re in between holidays and at a time of the year when it’s hard to find deals. Thankfully, that’s where we come in. We find and curate tech deals and discounts you won’t want to miss, like a 2TB iPad Pro for $800 off, discounted TVs, cheap headphones, and more. Seriously, check it all out below. Anker 737 (24,000mAh) Portable Charger for $90 ($60 Off)—One of My Favorites! Anker 737 PowerCore Portable Charger (24,000mAh) The Anker 737 Power Bank is a high-capacity, ultra-fast portable charger featuring 24,000mAh, Power Delivery 3....

August 17, 2025 · 3 min · 538 words · John Velasquez

TP-Link Tapo C120 Camera Review: Crystal-Clear Picture Meets Uncooperative Sound

Summary If you’re on the hunt for a budget-friendly smart home cam that captures footage in crystal clear HD (or better), look no further than theTP-Link Tapo C120. Designed for indoor and outdoor usage, the C120 is easy to install and is loaded with all kinds of features and in-app customizations for an unbelievable price. TP-Link Tapo C120 Indoor/Outdoor Smart Camera The TP-Link Tapo C120 features crisp and clear footage, a bevy of in-app features, and two storage options, you’ll want to buy one for each room of your house....

August 17, 2025 · 8 min · 1657 words · Ashley Lopez

Verizon Is Pushing 5G Home Internet with New Mobile Bundles

The main feature of this offer is a $15 discount per month on home internet plans for customers who have a postpaid mobile plan. This lowers the starting cost of the most basic home internet plan to $35 a month. Plus, this discount can be combined with existing Verizon discounts for military members, first responders, students, and teachers. Customers who choose premium home internet plans along with their mobile service will also get an extra $10 credit each month towards popular streaming services like Netflix, HBO Max, the Disney Bundle (which includes Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+), Apple Music Family, or YouTube Premium....

August 17, 2025 · 3 min · 512 words · Wayne Robles

Virtual Surround Isn’t a Real Thing

Whether it’s in your headphones, or a feature promised in a soundbar, you’ve probably run into something called “virtual surround” or something like it before. The name seems to suggest that you can get surround sound using nothing more than a set of stereo speakers, or at most an array of speakers to your front. But, is virtual surround actually an alternative to surround sound where the speakers, you know,surroundyou? The answer is no—but there’s more to it than that....

August 17, 2025 · 5 min · 903 words · Jessica Graham

Want Reliable HDMI Cables? Follow These 3 Simple Rules

Summary HDMI cables are an integral part of any home theater or modern display setup. However, shopping for the best HDMI cables for you can become overwhelming due to the sheer number of choices and marketing fluff surrounding them. That’s why I keep it simple and focus on three key considerations. These straightforward guidelines always help me buy high-quality HDMI cables, and they can do the same for you. Look for HDMI Cable Certification There is no dearth of HDMI cables on the various marketplaces....

August 17, 2025 · 5 min · 899 words · Christy Garcia

What Is a Network Switch, and When Do You Need One?

Quick Links Summary A network switch is a small box that adds extra Ethernet ports to your router. If you want to use several devices over a wired internet connection, or if you plan to install Ethernet ports in the walls of your home, you will need a network switch. Note that expensive “managed” switches, which are intended for business and industrial settings, often contain additional features for web security and network optimization....

August 17, 2025 · 6 min · 1248 words · Jennifer Patel

What to Expect From Google I/O 2024

Quick Links Summary It’s that time of year when the tech world awaits Google’s yearly developer convention. The Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, California, readies itself to play host to yet another installment of Google I/O on May 14th, 2024. Here’s what we’re expecting from the event this year. Gemini and AI Will Take Center Stage At Google’s highly anticipated I/O conference, all eyes will be on “Gemini”—the company’s flagship AI model, formerly known as “Bard....

August 17, 2025 · 4 min · 794 words · James King

When a Storm Knocks Out Your Power, These Will Help Pass the Time

After a big storm has passed, sometimes the biggest problem is just finding something to do while you wait for the power to come back. These can help! Most people know what basics to get when a storm is coming—power stations, proper food and water, medical supplies, and so on. This is extremely critical when you lose power, and you should never skimp out on it. But after the storm passes and everyone is safe and sound, you have a new problem to contend with—there may not be power....

August 17, 2025 · 5 min · 1030 words · Justin Davis

Where Does Google Maps Get Its Traffic Data From?

Quick Links Summary Google gathers real-time location data from other people using Google Maps to show traffic congestion. Google previously used physical traffic cameras and sensors but no longer does. Google Maps is arguably one of the best services to have been created in the internet era. It’s stuffed to the brim with helpful features, including real-time traffic congestion information. Where exactly is Google getting this data from, though? What Do the Colors Mean?...

August 17, 2025 · 2 min · 358 words · Dr. Andrea Small MD

Why I Switched to Firefox and Never Looked Back

Quick Links My work PC is an old potato, and Chrome makes its fans cry whenever I open a lot of tabs. I always thought it was just my aging computer’s fault, until I switched to Firefox and found out it was Chrome all along. Everything That Chrome Can Do and More For as long as I can remember, Chrome has been my go-to. All my passwords, bookmarks, and extensions are always available wherever I log into my Google account....

August 17, 2025 · 6 min · 1123 words · James Robbins

Windows 11 Insider Build Adds Support for USB 80Gbps

Microsoft is finally testing support for the faster USB4 Version 2.0 standard on Windows 11. The specification is coming to more computers soon, and this move would enable blazing-fast transfer speeds up to 80Gbps over USB-C. Announced back in September 2022, USB4 Version 2.0 istwice as fast as Thunderbolt 4, and today, Microsoft confirmed it is now testing the 80Gbps standard in the latest Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 23615. The preview build isavailable to downloadnow....

August 17, 2025 · 2 min · 338 words · Valerie Erickson

Would You Pay for a Search Engine? Kagi Thinks So.

Internet search engines used to be purely about what’s best for you and me, and giving us what we’re looking for. Now, search engines don’t want to guide you to information on the internet. Instead, they want to be the “source” of that information, and that’s not an incentive for a good experience. This is all driven by the hunger for revenue, but would you be willing to pay money to have a search engine that just gives you what you’re asking for, without the AI nonsense and privacy invasions?...

August 17, 2025 · 5 min · 916 words · Mr. Raymond Johnson