Technology and Computing
In a world where people are cutting out cable and playing more video games than ever, there’s a real, if very niche, use case to be made for gigantic, TV-sized computer monitors that usurp the vaunted position of home theater centerpiece from traditional TVs. Philips’ Momentum 559M1RYV 55-inch 4K HDR monitor, the first flagship monitor to earn Microsoft’s “Designed by Xbox” seal of approval (awarded in 2021), feels as if it’s designed to fit specifically in that niche. The Philips…
After more than a year of invite-only “early access” trials, Amazon launched its cloud gaming service, Amazon Luna, in March 2022. It enters a crowded market of cloud-based game console alternatives, including Google Stadia, GeForce Now, and Xbox’s Cloud Gaming service. All of them allow you to, at least theoretically, play games at high resolution and framerate on any device with a stable internet connection. You can raid villages in Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla on your phone or explore the dark,…
Vertical mice are … an acquired taste. The purest expression of the ergonomic mouse, its sailboat-like shape encourages you to grip it like you’re shaking someone’s hand, preventing you from twisting your wrist from hours of use on end. Because it takes time to get used to and, frankly, doesn’t feel quite as natural as a standard mouse, there aren’t all that many of them on the market. For years, in fact, the obvious go-to has been Logitech’s MX Vertical…
This story has been updated. It was originally published on March 8, 2017. No matter how you choose to get rid of your old laptop, smartphone, tablet, or other gadget (there are great options for recycling or reusing it if you don’t want to throw it away), you need to protect your private data before parting with your unwanted device. Are all your photos stored somewhere safe? Are you sure your laptop’s new owner can’t access your banking spreadsheets? Disposing…
There are certain foods people often associate with grilling. You can slow smoke a brisket, char a whack of burgers, or maybe even fire up some veggies if you’re trying to balance out the barbecue. Traeger, however, hopes hungry backyard cooks will use its new Timberline-series pellet grills to cook just about anything they can think of thanks to smart new additions like a modular accessory system, redesigned digital interface, and totally new induction burner outside the main cooking area. …
The PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X launched in November 2020. Due to supply chain issues and all manner of global complications, however, you may still be weighing your options when deciding which console to buy. With a string of awesome exclusive games tied to each and a selection of promising new features that immerse you deeper in the gaming experience, it’s worth digging into the details to discover which next-gen console is right for you. Xbox Series X vs…
Whether you’re wrestling with an outdated vacuum or looking for some brand-new tools to streamline kitchen prep, finding quality home accessories on a budget can be quite the challenge. But that doesn’t mean you should give up quite yet. Target has an array of deals, including Vitamix blenders to help you along on your culinary adventures and carpet cleaners that bust through the toughest stains. Shop these sales to give your home a sparkling upgrade without breaking the bank: Kitchen…
Few things embody the annual Consumer Electronics Show like a heap of giant new TVs. Every year, manufacturers line their booths with acres of displays to show off their latest, greatest, and flashiest new televisions and the tech that makes them work. Even if you don’t get to walk through the display-laden halls, you can still appreciate all the new screens that will be hitting the market this year and beyond. Samsung Samsung typically leads off the show with its…
This story has been updated. It was originally published on March 13, 2018. Spring is tantalizingly close…but this weird winter isn’t over yet. So we collected 10 apps and gadgets to take the edge off the worst of the weather. With a phone that tackles everything from predicting snowfall to surviving freezing temperatures, you can stay toasty until warmer conditions return. Weatherbug Of all the weather-forecasting apps, Weatherbug excels at staying ahead of wintery weather. It can alert you to…
The new Neat Microphones King Bee II is an affordable entry-level condenser mic that aims to fill the role of an all-purpose studio recording tool for singers, musicians, and podcasters. The King Bee II tones down the look of the original King Bee microphone—with its cartoonish yellow grill and stripes—while retaining the same natural, balanced, and versatile frequency response for which its predecessor is known. Assessed on how it performs on a variety of vocal and instrumental sources, the King…
The Neat Microphones Bumblebee II USB condenser mic promises easy-to-use features and high-resolution output in a competitively priced, compactly styled package. Being both affordable and aesthetically pleasing makes it an intriguing option for podcasting, gaming, streaming, and video conferencing. But a mix of design improvements to streamline user workflow and the same internal innovations that set the original Bumblebee apart from the competition are what ultimately make the Bumblebee II stand out for content creators. Let’s take a closer look…
The word “audiophile” carries a lot of weight when writing about speakers and headphones. Even for tech-savvy people—or, perhaps, especially for them—it serves as a warning sign and window into a highly technical, often aspirational world. It’s a world where it is not enough for the sound that comes out of your speakers to sound clear, but must “recreate” audio with warmth and depth and complexity and power. In audiophile-grade headsets like Master & Dynamic’s MG20 wireless gaming headphones, the…