Is Third-Party Windows Antivirus Still Worth It in 2025?

Summary As Windows Security has improved year over year, its high scores in antivirus evaluations versus some of the top competition has some wondering: Is a third-party AV subscription even worth it anymore? What is Third-Party Antivirus, and How Much Does It Cost? Third-party antivirus for Windows is a category of software product that can be installed on your PC as an application, and remains separate from the operating system itself....

June 20, 2025 · 5 min · 942 words · Mary Jones

It Feels Like the Photorealistic Game Fad Is Finally Over

What do good graphics in a game mean to you? Is it about fidelity, or the freedom to create anything? Or, is it about making graphics that look as much as the real world as possible? For many gamers and developers, it seemed for a long time that more photorealism was the logical path of progressions for graphics, but I disagree with that, and it feels like game developers (and players) are starting to broaden their taste a little....

June 20, 2025 · 4 min · 642 words · Daniel Stevenson

New to EVs? These 5 Are the Easiest, Least Stressful to Own

Electric carsare more than just an eco-friendly trend—they’re fast becoming the go-to choice for drivers who want to ditch gas without the guilt. And whilegoing electric used to feel like a leap, today’s EVs come packed with perks that make the switch easier than ever. Sure, they can still carry a hefty price tag and lose value faster than traditional cars, but not all EVs are created equal. If you’re afirst-time buyer looking to ease into electric life, there are a few standouts that keep the stress (and maintenance) to a minimum....

June 20, 2025 · 9 min · 1823 words · Dawn Ramos

Nintendo’s Music Streaming App Is Good, but Also a Missed Opportunity

Quick Links Nintendo rarely follows in the footsteps of industry trends. However, this can also cut in the other direction, most recently demonstrated by its new music streaming smartphone app, Nintendo Music. What is Nintendo Music? For the longest time, Nintendo fans have had to scour YouTube for uploads of the company’s soundtracks. Often, these videos get pulled down due to copyright strikes. This is frustrating as the notoriously litigious company didn’t offer any alternatives....

June 20, 2025 · 5 min · 1064 words · Autumn Martin

No Surround Sound? Some Netflix Shows Can Simulate It, Even Through Headphones

Quick Links When you see Netflix in the news, the buzz tends to be about rising subscription prices, but rarely do the platform’s technical features cause much of a stir. However, I’m here to inform you that if you’ve been pining for more immersive audio, you ought to check out Netflix’s spatial sound function. What is Netflix’s Spatial Sound Setting? Essentially,spatial audiois a sound-enhancing software that manipulates regular stereo speakers to simulate surround sound....

June 20, 2025 · 3 min · 582 words · Crystal Blevins

Paint.NET 5.1 Exits Beta With Many New Features

Paint.NET 5.1 is now available to download. The update includes new effects, support for HDR and Wide Color Gamut displays, and robust color management, to name but a few. The Paint.NET developers have been testing color management in the v5.1 betasince August, and now this and other new features are available in the stable build. With it, the free Windows photo editing tool is now a tad more capable for work where color consistency is key....

June 20, 2025 · 3 min · 434 words · Caleb Williams

Pixel 9 Pro Fold vs. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6: Which Foldable Is Better for You?

Quick Links Google just dropped its second-generation foldable, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. Through no fault of its own, the smartphone competes directly with Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 6. Both phones offer top-notch specifications, but there are some major differences that set the phones apart. Price And Availability ThePixel 9 Pro Foldcosts $1,799 for the base model with 256GB of storage. You can pre-order the smartphone on Google’s official website. Units will start shipping in late September....

June 20, 2025 · 10 min · 1932 words · Colton Miller

Please Stop Making New Smartphones Every Year

Quick Links Summary With the small year-over-year changes to smartphones, maybe it’s time to ditch the yearly upgrade cycle. It would be better for consumers, the environment, and more. Every year all the big players release new smartphones. Sure, they’re shiny and have big spec lists, but the$1,200 Galaxy S23 Ultra, expensive iPhone 14 Pro, and others aren’t the huge upgrade we want them to be. Maybe it’s time to stop releasing phones every year....

June 20, 2025 · 7 min · 1320 words · Lisa Medina

Razer's Kishi Ultra is a "Console-Grade" Controller For Your Phone

Controllers that can be mounted to your phone are nothing new, and Razer’s Kishi gamepads have been a popular option for mobile games, cloud gaming, and playing emulators. Now, Razer has launched its most premium product in this range, the Kishi Ultra. Razer just released the Kishi Ultra, a USB-Cgaming controllercompatible with Android, iPhone 15 series, and iPad Mini. It aims to enhance mobile gaming by providing console-grade control and immersive haptics....

June 20, 2025 · 2 min · 370 words · Daniel Johnson

RGB vs. ARGB and Why Should You Care?

Quick Links Summary Building a new gaming computer and want to add some RGB lights? You should first decide whether you want RGB or ARGB. This article will explain what the difference is and also help you decide which one is right for you. What is RGB? RGB means “red, green, and blue.“By combining these three primary colors, a device can create all colors in the visible spectrum. In the context of this PC building, “RGB” or, more precisely, “non-addressable RGB” refers to the traditional 12V RGB standard that many older and cheaper devices use....

June 20, 2025 · 5 min · 1039 words · Elizabeth Lopez

Sonos Move 2 Speaker Has a 24-Hour Battery Life and Wi-Fi 6

Sonos today announced its latest and greatest portable speaker, combining the best of its original Move from 2019 and the latestEra 300. The all-new Sonos Move 2 is a next-gen speaker packing spacious stereo sound, plenty of features, and up to 24 hours of battery life, so it’s always ready for a party or adventure. The flagship portable speaker has a similar design as the original, only the high-end audio brand added a slew of enhancements inside and out....

June 20, 2025 · 2 min · 366 words · Carrie Bishop

Stop Using Your Chromebook Wrong: 7 Features You Probably Missed

You’re using your Chromebook wrong. There, I said it. If you’re just using your Chromebook to browse Facebook and check email, you’re leaving so much on the table. Here are seven features that you’ve probably missed that your Chromebook can do. 7Virtual Desks Virtual Desksare ChromeOS’ way of doing multiple desktops. Each Virtual Desk can hold a collection of windows so you can just swipe (or use keyboard shortcuts) to switch between them and have different windows open....

June 20, 2025 · 8 min · 1505 words · Benjamin Acevedo

The Best Bluetooth Speakers of 2024

Bluetooth speakers are a great way to enjoy your favorite music, audiobooks, and podcasts in any environment. Compact and portable, they’re ideal for outdoor spaces, with wireless connectivity making them a convenient choice for on-the-go use. JBL Xtreme 4 What to Look for in a Bluetooth Speaker Besides the obvious budgetary constraints, there are a few important factors to consider when shopping for a Bluetooth speaker. A good place to start is to consider how and where you’re most likely to use your Bluetooth speaker....

June 20, 2025 · 12 min · 2354 words · Brittney Lowe