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Summary Smart homes might seem like a pricey way to save time and effort, but there are many ways in which they can actually save you money. Here’s how. 7LED Lighting Is Cheaper to Run Perhaps the easiest financial case to make for smart home tech is in switching away from conventional (incandescent) light bulbs. LED light bulbs can generate significant savings and if you’re going to make the switch anyway, then the added cost of smart bulbs becomes easier to justify....

Quick Links KeePassXCis one ofthe best password managersout there, known for its (intentional) lack of cloud-syncing. But just because it’s offline doesn’t mean it’s light on functionality. Here are some handy extras that will enhance your security and overall experience of KeePassXC. Secret Key File You can maximize your passwords' security by using a “key file” as a multi-factor authentication method to open your KeePassXC database. Once enabled, in addition to your password, you’ll have to provide that key file....

If you’re one of the millions of people who use Android Auto daily, you know just how convenient it can be to access your favorite apps, like Google Maps, Spotify, and Waze, straight from your car’s screen. However, if you’re still using a wired connection to make this happen, it’s time to switch to the AAWireless dongle. This handy device easily connects to your Android Auto app wirelessly, making for a more hassle-free and enjoyable driving experience....

Summary Google is still busy improving Android Auto, and the latest update adds game support and potentially a switch from Google Assistant to Gemini. While official game support has been in beta for a few weeks, it’s finally rolling out to more vehicles with the latest Android Auto 14.1 update. In January, Googlerevealed amajor initiativeto bring more apps and games to its automotive platforms. This initiative started with Android Automotive, which is the operating system built from the ground up for cars and is slightly different from Android Auto....

Summary Aside from your monitor and mouse, your keyboard is one of the most critical pieces of gaming gear. While mechanical keyboards are the usual go-to choice, a new contender is making waves: the Hall Effect keyboard. But is it really worth the hype? What Makes Hall Effect Keyboards Different? Before we can talk about Hall Effect switches and what makes them special, it helps to first understand how mechanical switches work....

Summary Video game demos used to be a staple of gaming, from discs and floppies included with magazines to downloadable trials that could be played indefinitely. But when the digital age came along, demos seemed to fall out of fashion. Fortunately, that trend seems to be reversing. Old-School Demo Discs: The Start of Something Great Early home computer magazines commonly featured floppy disks packed with demos. Later, PC magazines shifted to demo CDs which could store far more data....

Quick Links As our Windows laptops tirelessly work for us, issues can gradually sneak in. If ignored, these issues may lead to costly repairs or even replacements. To ensure your laptop stays in top condition, you must routinely check its hardware health. Here are a few simple tips to help you do just that. 1Check the Health of Your Battery Over time, a laptop battery degrades and loses its ability to hold a charge, which impacts your device’s performance, runtime, and reliability....

Summary Tired of your email inbox and text messages getting cluttered up by two-factor authentication messages? you may now have your iPhone automatically tidy up behind you after you verify your logins. Here’s how. Two-factor authentication (2FA)is now required by many apps and websites. This is a huge win for user security, astwo-factor authenticationmakes it difficult for hackers to access your accounts (even when your password is compromised). Unfortunately, single-use 2FA codes can clutter your Messages app and email inbox....

Quick Links One of the best features of a smartwatch is its customizability. Depending on the brand, you can swap out wallpapers and alter the digital display. Most also let you change the standard band that the smartwatch comes with, which requires you to know what size band will fit comfortably around your wrist. There are two key pieces of information you’ll need when shopping for a new band—the watch case size and your wrist size....

Summary The best thing about the Windows 11 taskbar is its ability to change alignment from left to center and vice versa. However, one feature still missing from the taskbar is the option to make it transparent. Fortunately, you can use a third-party tool to achieve this. Turn Your Windows 11 Taskbar Transparent In Windows 7, Microsoft offered the transparent glass visual effect, allowing you to make the taskbar transparent. However, you won’t find such an option in Windows 11....

Summary I left Facebook sometime in 2015 because I felt like I was too young for the platform. I’d largely replaced it with Instagram, anyway. However, I’ve recently found myself drawn back to the platform as an active user, all thanks to Facebook Groups. Facebook is Filled With Awesome Niche Communities If you’ve never joined a private Facebook Group, you’re seriously missing out. There’s a near-endless supply of Facebook Groups that range from off-the-rails silly to passionate hobbyist groups with members who genuinely help each other....

Summary By now, you’ve probably heard of Temu, the Chinese online marketplace that’s rapidly expanding across the globe. When the app finally became available in my country, I knew I had to give it a shot—and I had one thing in mind: computer peripherals. The Shopping Experience Is Chaotic but Worth It From the moment you open Temu, you’ll be bombarded with special offers, discounts, deals, and spin wheels, all of which will “expire” in 24 hours....

Last month, I finally took the time to move all my web domains to a new registrar, saving me alotof money in the process. If you’ve accumulated some web domains over the years, it might be time to shop around for a better deal. It’s easy to forget about domain renewals, but the costs can definitely add up, especially on registrars that are raising prices or costing you additional fees. Here’s how I migrated my pile of domains to save a lot of money....