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Speed up your laptop for free. Laptop form factor guide. 5 tools that integrate cloud storage into File Explorer. Massive AT&T breach. Reviews of the Asus Zenbook 14 OLED and Lexar SL500 USB SSD.

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DuckDuckGo just picked a fight with Google over YouTube ads • DuckDuckGo’s browser blocks YouTube ads automatically, using open-source uBlock Origin lists. Google is unlikely to let this slide.

The more we learn about how AI ‘thinks,’ the weirder it gets • Researchers found a “workspace” in Claude where concepts it might never say aloud can silently “light up.” The weird thing? Anthropic didn’t design it.

Microsoft’s Xbox business is floundering. Its answer? Cut 3,200 jobs • The company will cut 20% of its gaming staff over the next year and sell off multiple developers that it acquired during its Game Pass push.

Surprise! Microsoft gives Windows 10 users another year of free support • You’ll still have to pay for it (in dollars, points, or data), but you’ll get to use Windows 10 for longer.

Before you buy a Steam Machine, you need to know about its RAM issue • The first batch of Steam Machine hardware is shipping with a single 16GB RAM stick. That means lower performance but easy (if expensive) upgrades.

HP OmniBook Ultra 14: Flagship performance meets OLED brilliance • The HP OmniBook Ultra 14 is a luxurious portable laptop that provides solid portability alongside surprisingly excellent performance.

MSI MPG 341CQR QD-OLED X36: A top-tier ultrawide monitor • The MSI MPG 341CQR isn’t perfect, but it delivers great image quality and plenty of features at an attractive price. That makes it easy to recommend.

Plaud Note Pro: The AI meeting gadget I didn’t know I wanted • Plaud Note Pro is a really smart AI tool for transcribing everything from face-to-face meetings to mobile calls and online video meetings.

Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5x: A no-nonsense Snapdragon X2 laptop • A sensible laptop that prioritizes good battery life over flash.

Asus ROG Strix Aiolos: A fast, easy-install 20Gbps enclosure • With RGB lighting and easy access to the internal M.2 slot, this good-performing 20Gbps NVMe enclosure is a top choice.

MSI Prestige 16 Flip AI+: A 2-in-1 that gets almost everything right • Flipping good.

Adventures in AI • Practical ChatGPT and Claude advice for AI skeptics.

I tested every USB-C cable I own. Half weren’t worth keeping • A $50 USB-C cable tester revealed which of my cables were actually useless. I happily got rid of them and haven’t looked back.

How I convinced a Windows PC diehard to buy a Chromebook • I convinced my brother to get a Chromebook. He was skeptical at first, but he doesn’t regret it.

I turned my Plex library into 24/7 streaming channels with this app • Bunny Ears TV creates dozens of commercial-free channels out of your own content collection.

Your Android phone can play some Steam games. Here’s how • GameHub lets Android users download and play Steam games locally—no streaming, no Steam Deck required, but with some caveats.

Still paying for cable? These simple tips can lower your bill • Not ready to cut the cord? You can still lower your TV bill.

Tech Spotlight • A video showcase of the latest trends