Last week, Microsoft released an important Windows 11 patch known as update KB5065426. Unfortunately, it didn’t take long for error reports to start pouring in from users who have been running into all kinds of error codes during installation of the update. With it being a mandatory update, the Windows Update system will periodically keep trying to install the update even if users have declined, reports Windows Latest. That’s obviously a repetitive nuisance if the update won’t properly install for whatever reason. Windows Latest has compiled a list of the various error codes that can crop up during installation of the September update, including 0x800F0991, 0x800F0922, 0x80071A2D, 0x800F081F, 0x80070302, 0x80070306, and 0x8000FFFF. In addition, some users are saying the update takes a lot longer to download than these monthly updates usually take, although that could just be due to the fact that this particular update is larger. Normally, it’s possible to get around Windows update installation problems by circumventing Windows Update altogether and manually installing an update via the Microsoft Update Catalog. However, with update KB5065426, even this method is throwing errors for some. According to Windows Latest, the only workaround for this issue right now is to use the Media Creation Tool or Update Assistant Tool. Read...

One day, you might lose your laptop. It could be stolen or it could be misplaced. But if you’re reading this right now and you still have your laptop with you, the advice is the same either way: be proactive and take steps to protect your machine ahead of time. There’s nothing worse than realizing your laptop is gone and being full of regret, wishing you’d taken those proactive steps when you had the chance. You have that chance right now—don’t put it off until “later” that never comes. Act now to protect your sensitive data and make sure your laptop is more easily recoverable should you lose it. Both Windows 11 and Windows 10 have useful safeguarding features worth using, and Windows can theoretically track your lost laptop (but you’ll need extra hardware for the best tracking experience). Here are the preemptive steps you should take to protect your laptop ASAP. Check if your storage is encrypted First things first, you have to make sure your laptop’s internal storage is securely encrypted. There’s a good chance it already is—disk encryption is enabled by default on many newer Windows laptops—but it might not be. If it isn’t, you’ll want to turn it on. To check if your PC is encrypted, open the Start menu, search for “Device Encryption” or “BitLocker,” then click Device encryption settings or Manage BitLocker, respectively. You’ll see a different option depending on how your PC is encrypted. (Windows is confusing like that. Learn more about BitLocker versus device encryption.) Chris Hoffman / Foundry If Windows says Device Encryption or BitLocker is activated, rest assured your files are safely encrypted and protected from thieves. If your laptop is lost or stolen, no one will be able to access your data—as long as your laptop is locked, sleeping, or shut down when it’s lost. Enable disk encryption if it isn’t on If your laptop’s internal storage isn’t encrypted, that’s a problem. It means anyone who gains physical access to your laptop can snoop or steal your files and private data. You do have private data, don’t you? Modern Windows PCs generally support device encryption, which is activated by default when you sign in with a Microsoft account. If your PC supports Device Encryption but you’re using Windows with a local user account, just sign in with a Microsoft account to activate it. Windows will save your BitLocker recovery key to your Microsoft account online, so you can access your data even if you forget your Microsoft account password. Chris Hoffman / Foundry If you want proper disk encryption but don’t want to sign in with a Microsoft account, you’ll have to pay to upgrade to the Professional edition of Windows 11 (or Windows 10). This will unlock the full BitLocker experience and you’ll be able to encrypt your PC’s internal storage without signing in with a Microsoft account. Back up your files (or at least sync them) With disk encryption set up, a thief won’t be able to gain access to your files… but any files that are only on your laptop will still be lost to you. If you don’t have backups of your files, the only way to recover them is to physically recover your laptop. That’s why it’s critical to maintain backups of your important data at all times, whether via local backups, online cloud backups, or ideally both. Immo Wegmann / Unsplash It’s also a good idea to store your important files on a cloud storage platform, whether that’s Microsoft OneDrive, Google Drive, Apple iCloud, or whatever other file-syncing service you prefer. Cloud storage keeps your files in sync across multiple devices, lessening the risk of outdated backups. Plus, you’ll have convenient online access to all of your files even if you’re unable to recover your laptop. Enable Find My Device (for what it’s worth) Windows has a built-in Find My Device feature and it’s one of the lesser-known Windows features everyone should know about. To turn it on, head to Settings > Privacy & security > Find my device. After it’s enabled, you can head to Microsoft’s Find My Device page in a browser, sign in with your Microsoft account, and remotely locate your laptop. Chris Hoffman / Foundry This sounds great in theory, but there are some drawbacks to it. For starters, Find My Device will only work if your laptop is powered on and has an internet connection. That might be okay if you accidentally left it behind in a café, but not so effective if it was stolen. (This type of remote tracking works better with phones since they’re always partially awake and usually have an active cellular data connection wherever they are.) Still, Find My Device is still worth enabling since you never know. Plus, if you have a laptop with built-in 5G internet, it will be even more recoverable because it could still be tracked even without a Wi-Fi connection. But 5G laptops are uncommon and expensive. Fortunately, there’s an even better way to track your laptop. Keep reading. Add a Bluetooth tracker to your laptop Realistically speaking, the best way to remotely track your laptop is with a small Bluetooth tracker, whether that’s an Apple AirTag, Tile, Chipolo, Samsung Galaxy SmartTag, or whatever else. Throw it into your laptop bag and you’ll be able to track it if your bag is snatched or lost. Jon Martindale / Foundry Alternatively, if you don’t mind sticking something directly onto your laptop, get an adhesive Bluetooth tracker. The pro here is that you can still track your laptop if it’s separated from your bag. The con here is that a bad actor could easily tear it off upon stealing your laptop. I would love it if laptops came with built-in Bluetooth trackers that were compatible with all these networks, but alas. Until laptop makers realize this is a clever idea, your best bet is to use a third-party tracker. Secure your PC with biometric sign-ins Windows has a feature called Windows Hello that forces you to sign in using a personal fingerprint or facial recognition scan. This is a great way to secure your laptop in case of theft, and it’s one of the reasons why I’ll never buy a laptop that lacks biometric hardware. Biometric sign-ins eliminate the threat of shoulder surfing. Since you aren’t typing your PIN or password in a public area, no one can snoop on your PIN or password—thus, they won’t be able to sign in as you after nicking your laptop. And with forced biometric sign-ins, they wouldn’t be able to get in with your PIN or password even if they had it. Chris Hoffman / Foundry To enable this, head to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options and turn on “For improved security, only allow Windows Hello sign-in for Microsoft accounts on this device (Recommended).” Then, avoid typing your PIN in public. Always use biometrics. Lock your laptop up tight Biometric sign-ins can only protect your laptop when it’s signed out, forcing thieves and snoopers to log back in. For that reason, you should set up your laptop to sleep and lock itself when not in use. Whenever you step away from your laptop, use the Windows key + L keyboard shortcut to lock it. Or simply close the lid. Make this a force of habit so your laptop is never caught out unlocked, which means you should be doing this at home and in offices too. No one should be able to have free access to your laptop when you’re away from it. (I personally use the Windows lock keyboard shortcut every day!) IDG Also consider physically locking your laptop. If you’re in a dorm lounge, a library, a café, or some other non-private place, you can use a Kensington lock to secure your laptop in place—assuming your laptop has a Kensington lock slot. But even if your laptop does have one, you probably don’t have a proper Kensington lock. What then? Well, it’s always safer to slip your laptop into a bag and take it with you—even if you’re just hitting the bathroom—than it is to leave it unguarded where someone could snatch it. If you ever have to leave your laptop out of eyesight, stash it away in a bag with a Bluetooth tracker. Do you care about Windows? Maybe a little too much? So do I! Sign up to The Windows ReadMe for weekly PC tips, retro fun, and experiments straight from the mind of me, Chris Hoffman. Read...

At a glanceExpert`s Rating Pros Includes tripod, VESA mounts Includes a monitor sleeve with velcro Has two USB-C ports, both with Power Delivery High brightness for the price Cons Contrast performance doesn’t stand out Modest color performance and accuracy Limited menu and image quality options Our Verdict The MSI Pro MP165 E6 is a versatile option for shoppers who need a budget portable monitor that can be used with a VESA wall mount, a conventional monitor arm, or even a tripod. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Best Prices Today: MSI Pro MP165 E6 Retailer Price Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Best Prices Today: Check today’s prices Budget portable monitors are a dime a dozen, and to be frank, many are interchangeable. That’s because most use the same IPS-LCD display panel technology, offer the same or similar ports, and are similar in size. The MSI Pro MP165 E6 also follows these trends but stands out with tripod and VESA mount options. Read on to learn more, then see our roundup of the best portable monitors for comparison. MSI Pro MP165 E6 specs and features The MSI Pro MP165 E6’s basic specifications are similar to most budget portable monitors. It has a 15.6-inch IPS-LCD display (despite the giant “16” badge on the box) with 1920×1080 resolution. This is standard for any sub-$100 portable monitor. Display size: 15.6-inch 16:9 aspect ratio Native resolution: 1920×1080 Panel type: IPS-LED Refresh rate: 60Hz Adaptive Sync: Yes HDR: None Ports: 1x HDMI 2.0b, 2x USB Type-C with 15 watts of Power Delivery Audio: 2x 1-watt speakers Additional features: Built-in kickstand, 1/4 in. standard tripod mount, 75x75mm VESA mount Dimensions: 14.04 x 8.28 x 0.55 inches Weight: 1.72 pounds Price: $89.99 MSRP However, the MSI offers a few extra features that are less common. It has a built-in kickstand, a 1/4-inch tripod mount, and a 75x75mm VESA mount. These extras are subtle but make the monitor more versatile. MSI Pro MP165 E6 design The MSI Pro MP165 E6’s design lives up to its “Pro” badging. At a glance, the portable monitor appears to be a slim plastic slab that’s similar to dozens of competitive portable monitors. It measures just 0.55 inches thick and weighs 1.72 pounds. Both figures are low but typical for a portable monitor. Flip it around, though, and you’ll find three important features. The monitor has a kickstand, a 1/4-inch tripod mount, and a 75mm VESA mount. Matthew Smith / Foundry First up, the kickstand, which is the most common of the MSI’s three extra features. Kickstands are often used by portable monitors, though most budget monitors instead have a fabric stand or cover. The kickstand is small but keeps the monitor firmly angled at the desired position and is aided by two small rubber feet, one on each side of the monitor, which keeps the monitor from moving when bumped. Its range of tilt is a bit limited, however, and portrait orientation is not possible. The monitor also has two mounting options: a 1/4-inch tripod mount and a 75mm VESA mount. Both are uncommon for a portable monitor and nice to see at this price. These mounts are useful for photographers, videographers, YouTubers, TikTokers, and anyone else who needs a low-cost display for monitoring their content. They also make it possible to use the display as digital signage, on a wall in your home, and in other less common situations. MSI ships the monitor with a cloth sleeve that closes with velcro. It’s not fancy but adds some protection against bumps and scratches. The inclusion of a velcro flap to secure the monitor is also appreciated. Budget monitors sometimes have a sleeve that does not include a flap, strap, or other physical way to keep the display secure when stowed. MSI Pro MP165 E6 connectivity Three ports line the MSI Pro MP165 E6’s left flank; one full-sized HDMI 2.0 and two USB-C. The USB-C ports both support DisplayPort and 15 watts of Power Delivery, so both can drive a single-cable connection to the monitor if you have a laptop, or other device, that can output both video and 15 watts of power over USB-C. The monitor also has a 3.5mm audio jack for audio pass-through. The location of the ports could be better. All three are on the left, which can be annoying if you intend to place the monitor to the right of your primary display. Matthew Smith / Foundry The portable monitor also lacks a power brick, which you’ll need if you send a video signal to the monitor over HDMI, or over USB-C from a device that can’t deliver power. This is common in the sub-$100 monitor arena, though. On the plus side, the monitor ships with both USB-C and HDMI cables, and the cables have a 90-degree connection on one side. That’s handy, as it reduces desk clutter and makes the cables easier to route if mounting the monitor to a wall mount or tripod mount. Cables with 90-degree connections are inexpensive, but they’re not free (typically $8 to $10 a cable, and a few bucks more than cables with a standard connector). Their inclusion is a nice bonus for a monitor that retails at an MSRP of just $89.99. The MSI Pro MP165 E6 is a budget portable monitor that stands out from most competitors with several features that are uncommon in the sub-$100 price bracket. MSI Pro MP165 E6 menus, audio While the MSI Pro MP165 E6 delivers on connectivity, the menu system is disappointing. The monitor provides a power button and toggle on the right flank. The power button works as expected. The toggle, meanwhile, is used for audio and brightness adjustment. And that’s it. Budget portable monitors are often slim on menu and image quality features, but the MSI is lacking even by the category’s low standards. Competitors like the InnoView Portable Monitor offer a wider range of features and image quality adjustments. Matthew Smith / Foundry The monitor is compatible with MSI’s Display Kit utility, which is available for Windows 11 and Windows 10. Display Kit offers a handful of additional features including preset color modes and RGB color adjustment. These features are not specific to the MSI Pro MP165 E6, however. They work with any monitor including those from other companies. Audio is provided by a pair of 1-watt speakers on the rear of the monitor. They deliver decent volume, which makes them usable for listening to podcasts or a video call, but they’re quickly overwhelmed by more complicated content like music, movies, or games. Many budget portable monitors have the same problem, though I found the speakers on the InnoView Portable Monitor more listenable. MSI Pro MP165 E6 SDR image quality The MSI Pro MP165 E6 has an MSRP below $100. Monitors in this price bracket universally compromise image quality to achieve attractive pricing, but some sacrifice more than others. MSI’s approach is practical, focusing on usability over image quality. Matthew Smith / Foundry First up is brightness, where the MSI Pro MP165 E6 achieves a solid 328 nits at its peak. That’s a good result for a portable monitor, and while not the best available, it’s superior to competitively priced alternatives like the Viewsonic VA1655 and InnoView Portable monitor. Brightness isn’t exciting, but it’s important. Many budget portable monitors are so dim that they can prove a bit frustrating to use in a brightly lit office or near sunlit windows. The MSI is still overwhelmed in very bright conditions, but handles harsh lighting better than most alternatives in this price bracket. Matthew Smith / Foundry Contrast is typical for the category. MSI delivers a solid mid-pack result that slightly exceeds the price-comparable alternatives. Some IPS-LCD portable monitors, like the Lenovo M14t and Viewsonic TD1656-2K, can deliver much better contrast, but they’re also more expensive. It’s worth mention that all of these IPS-LCD portable monitors offer limited contrast if compared to OLED alternatives. IPS-LCD is noticeably dull and washed-out compared to OLED. However, OLED portable monitors are quite a bit more expensive, with the most affordable options starting around $200. Matthew Smith / Foundry Color gamut is where the MSI Pro MP165 E6 falls towards the bottom of the budget competition. It has a very limited color gamut that covers just 63 percent of sRGB and 47 percent of both DCI-P3 and AdobeRGB. This is average for a budget portable monitor, and far behind most expensive alternatives. The MSI’s poor color performance is less of an issue if you plan to view documents, browse the web, or use it in content creation roles where color is not as important (such as using the monitor as a teleprompter). Image and video editing, however, is a no-go, as the monitor lacks the range of color needed to display an image with accuracy. Matthew Smith / Foundry Perhaps it’s no surprise, then, that color accuracy also falls short. The monitor’s average color error of 2.5 is towards the high end for a portable monitor. And the real-world result is worse than the average might suggest, as color accuracy spiked in both the blue and red hues. I found that red hues looked too brown or orange and that blue hues tended towards cyan. Sharpness, on the other hand, is a perk. A resolution of 1920×1080 isn’t news in 2025 but, spread across a 15.6-inch display, it results in a pixel density of about 141 pixels per inch. That’s better than a 27-inch 1440p display (about 109 pixels per inch). The image generally looks sharp and small text is rendered well. The MSI Pro MP165 E6’s overall image quality is tilted towards its professional marketing, though with some caveats. This is not a monitor for professional photo or video editing but, rather, a budget portable monitor for office productivity, digital signage, collaboration, and other tasks where color performance is less of a concern. MSI Pro MP165 E6 HDR image quality and motion The MSI Pro MP165 E6 doesn’t support HDR. That might seem like a negative, as many budget portable monitors claim HDR support. However, the truth is that while some competitors list HDR support, the quality of the HDR is extremely low. MSI’s decision not to support HDR is more honest, in my opinion. Motion clarity, meanwhile, is average for a modern IPS LCD display. The monitor has a refresh rate of 60Hz and doesn’t support Adaptive Sync, so while motion blur is tolerable overall, it’s nowhere near what monitors with a higher refresh rate or OLED panel can provide. Still, this is a budget monitor, so modest motion clarity is to be expected. Should you buy the MSI Pro MP165 E6? The MSI Pro MP165 E6 is a budget portable monitor that stands out from most competitors with several features that are uncommon in the sub-$100 price bracket. The monitor’s image quality is rather limited, but it has a tripod mount, a VESA mount, and a useful built-in kickstand, plus 90-degree cables for better cable management and a decent carrying case. While none of these extras will set your hair on fire, they’re handy and make MSI’s portable monitor more versatile than its competitors. Read...

Apple unveils iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max with new aluminium design, A19 Pro chip, enhanced cameras, longer battery life, and Wi-Fi 7 support. Read...

As the official end of support draws nearer for Windows 10, there’s another option that can help ease the pain for Windows 10 users transitioning to Windows 11: Tiny11 Builder. Tiny11 has been out for a few years now; in fact, we last wrote about Tiny11 in 2023. It’s now received a substantial update, and the focus has slightly changed: Now, it’s an option for those who don’t want to deal with the bloat or the ad telemetry that Windows 11 brings. “After more than a year (for which I am so sorry) of no updates, Tiny11 Builder is now a much more complete and flexible solution — one script fits all,” ntdevlabs, the developer, wrote. “Also, it is a steppingstone for an even more fleshed-out solution.” Essentially, Tiny11 Builder takes a Windows 11 ISO, loads it, but chops out a ton of built-in Windows apps, the telemetry, and the “ads” to use specific Windows features. Yes, a Windows 10 user will be forced to transition to Windows 11. Tiny11 Builder’s mission, however, is to strip down Windows 11 to its essentials, even if that still means dealing with the new Windows 11 Start menu, the relatively static Taskbar, or other features. There’s another plus, though: Tiny 11 Builder removes the need for a Microsoft account. Tiny11 Builder can be downloaded from GitHub for free, from its developer, NTDEV, or netdevlabs. You’ll need to download the Windows 11 ISO from Microsoft, launch PowerShell, then follow the script instructions. It’s certainly not as easy as a one-click executable, but it doesn’t appear to be too difficult. You can use it on “any” Windows release, the developer says, and it will run on Windows on Arm, too. Since Tiny11 Builder slices off a few unneeded (to the developer, anyway) functions from Windows 11, it leaves what you’ll care about: the security updates, patches, and other features that will ensure that your PC is secure and up to date. What happens if the patch tries to force back Microsoft Edge, which Tiny11 removes? That shouldn’t happen, but the developer notes that there’s an “ongoing battle” between removing Outlook and Dev Home, which Windows apparently keeps trying to restore. Tiny11 removes a ton of Windows apps: Clipchamp News Weather Xbox GetHelp GetStarted Office Hub Solitaire PeopleApp PowerAutomate ToDo Alarms Mail and Calendar Feedback Hub Maps Sound Recorder Your Phone Media Player QuickAssist Internet Explorer Tablet PC Math Edge OneDrive The developer doesn’t seem to be quite finished, noting that it would like to implement better controls over which apps to delete and which to pare. Interestingly, while the developer’s announcement tweet lists Teams as one of the targeted apps to remove, the GitHub page’s list doesn’t mention it. (Tom’s Hardware noted the tweet as well as the update to the Tiny11 page.) The same page also lists a Tiny11CoreMaker option, but this is more of a development platform and should be ignored. As you’re probably aware, Windows 10 support expires on October 14, 2025. Users will either need to download and upgrade to Windows 11 before then, or risk running on an unsupported system. Otherwise, consumers can pay Microsoft $30 for a year’s worth of Windows 10 support patches. Alternatively, there are two free options: Turn on Windows Backup (which requires a Microsoft account) or redeem 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points instead. Otherwise, you’ll have to upgrade to Windows 11, where Tiny11’s latest update provides an alternative to a full copy of Windows 11. Read...

Imagine if that refrigerator you bought just five years ago suddenly up and died—and not because of some technical glitch, but because the manufacturer deliberately reached out and deactivated it, permanently. You’d be furious, right? And you’d probably want a refund, too.  As wild as that scenario sounds for a major appliance like a refrigerator or a TV, it happens more often than you’d think in the smart home world. From the doomed Dropcam to the abandoned Revolv smart hub, there’s a long, sad parade of smart home devices that have turned into paperweights.    We’ve compiled a list of 12 infamous examples of killer smart home products that—for one reason or another—were abandoned by their manufacturers.  These deactivated smart home gadgets have either mostly or completely ceased to function. In some cases, the makers of these bricked devices offered refunds, or a discount on an upgraded or replacement product. But in other instances, customers were left high and dry.  Read ‘em and weep.  12 stone-dead smart home gadgets Amazon Echo Look  Launched: 2017 Original list price: $200 Date deactivated: July 24, 2020  Amazon It was a heady concept: an Alexa-powered smart camera that could scan your daily outfits and give you fashion advice. Indeed, the Echo Look was one of the original “look what Alexa can do!” devices, predating such out-there Alexa gadgets as the Echo Loop (Alexa on a ring) and the Amazon Astro (Alexa on a robot).  But the Echo Look never really took off—in part, perhaps, because the Look’s camera lacked a privacy shutter, a minus for a device that’s supposed to sit on your bedroom dresser. In May 2020, Amazon announced that the 3-year-old Look would go dark just two months later.  Amazon did offer Echo Look owners a free Echo Show 5 in compensation, but still, the $90 smart display didn’t exactly cover the $200 asking price for the dead-as-a-doornail fashion camera.  Amazon Echo Connect  Launched: 2017 Original list price: $35 Date deactivated: February 29, 2024  Amazon Landing right around the same time as the doomed Echo Look, the Echo Connect unlocked a killer Alexa feature: the ability to make phone calls on your landline using voice commands. All you had to do was plug your landline cable into the back of the Connect box, no additional fees required.  But as landlines gave way to cell phones and Alexa gained the ability to place calls from mobile phone numbers, the Echo Connect began to look increasingly outdated, and some bad reviews didn’t help. Still, Echo Connect users were caught off guard when, in February 2024, Amazon gave them just a few weeks’ notice that the Connect would soon go dead. On the bright side, each Echo Connect owner got a $10 Amazon gift card for their trouble.  Revolv smart home hub  Launched: 2013 Original list price: $299 Date deactivated: May 15, 2016  YouTube One smart hub to rule them all? That was the idea behind Revolv, a fire engine-red gadget packed with seven wireless radios that allowed you to control smart products from different manufacturers, all from a single app.  That was, at the time, a killer concept—so killer that Nest, which had itself just been acquired by Google, snapped up Revolv’s parent company in 2014 and promptly yanked the hub from store shelves.  Initially, Nest promised to keep existing Revolv smart hubs up and running. But by early 2016, Revolv owners learned that their hubs would stop working entirely by May of the same year, leaving them stuck with $300 paperweights while scrambling for alternatives.  Iris by Lowe’s Home Automation platform  Launched: 2012 Original list price: $50 hub, $99 Security Pack (with various contact and motion sensors, plus a keypad), $129 Automation Pack (contained Security Pack components plus a smart plug and button) Date deactivated: March 31, 2019  Lowe’s Lowe’s jumped into the smart home market early, going all-in with a hub (a second-generation hub landed in 2015 as a free upgrade for original hub owners) and a variety of sensors, security cameras, smoke detectors, and other smart components.  But from the start, Lowe’s Iris platform was beset with problems, from a lengthy and bug-ridden setup process to promised features that were slow to materialize (such as professional home monitoring), while support for third-party smart brands arrived only in dribs and drabs. Lowe’s eventually rolled out a raft of welcome updates to address the lengthy list of customer complaints, but the Iris platform never truly recovered from its rocky launch.  By 2019, Lowe’s finally threw in the towel, announcing that its Iris products would stop working by March 31 of that year. While Iris users were faced with the prospect of rebuilding their smart home setups, Lowe’s at least offered to refund customers for any Iris products that wouldn’t work on any other platforms, while Samsung SmartThings stepped up to help Iris users migrate to its own smart platform.  Hive home security products  Launched: 2017 Original list price: Various Date deactivated: September 1, 2023 (Hive Leak sensor), August 1, 2025 (all other Hive security products)  Amazon UK-based Hive had big plans for the smart home back in 2017. Originally focused on smart heating and thermostats, the brand was poised to branch out into home security with the Hive HomeShield alarm and the Hive View indoor and outdoor cameras (pictured above), while the Hive Leak Sensor would keep its wireless-enabled feelers out for water leaks.  But by 2019, Hive began dialing down its smart home ambitions, first withdrawing from the U.S. and Canadian markets (Hive gave instructions to users in North America on how to dispose of its useless smart gadgets on a support page) and then announcing it would exit the home security market altogether, with its portfolio of camera and security devices slated to go dead by August 1, 2025. (The Hive Leak lost support and connectivity in 2023.) As for refunds, the options aren’t great.  Hive chose to chop the products because “as a smart technology brand in the middle of a climate crisis, we know our focus needs to change,” according to a company statement.  Samsung SmartThings first-generation Hub, ADT SmartThings Home Security & Safety System, SmartThings Link   Launched: 2014 (first-gen Hub), 2017 (ADT SmartThings Home Security & Safety System), 2018 (Samsung Link) Original list price: $99 (hub), $550 and up (ADT SmartThings Home Security kits), $40 (SmartThings Link) Date deactivated: June 20, 2021  Jared Newman / Foundry One of the biggest and most stalwart of smart home brands, Samsung SmartThings has nonetheless seen fit to turn some of its older products into paperweights.  Back in 2021, Samsung pulled support for the original SmartThings Hub from 2014—not a huge shock, given that the hub was seven years old at the time. Still, due to compatibility issues, first-generation Hub owners were faced with the prospect of recreating their smart home setups from scratch.  More vexing was the decision to axe the much newer Samsung Link (a dongle that allowed the Nvidia Shield to perform double duty as a SmartThings hub, pictured above) and the pricey ADT SmartThings Home Security system, which were (respectively) only three and four years old.  Samsung and partner ADT offered owners of their dead products a combination of refunds and discounts on newer hardware, and the SmartThings ecosystem itself lives on, centered around the SmartThings Station, Aeotec’s Smart Home Hub, and Smart Home Hub 2 (just announced at IFA in September) .  Phillips Hue Bridge (first-generation)  Launched: 2012 Original list price: Included in a $199 Hue starter kit  Date deactivated: April 2022  Signify Signify-owned Philips Hue first began selling its industry-leading smart lights way back in 2012, and the first Hue Bridge (pictured above on the right, with a big red slash through it) came bundled with three Hue bulbs. Hue discontinued the original Bridge in 2015 in favor of an upgraded (and now square) model with more robust processing power and Apple HomeKit support, but continued to keep the older Bridge operating with frequent software updates.  By 2020, however, Philips Hue announced that first-gen Bridge “no longer has the resources to guarantee the evolution of the Hue system.” While owners of the outdated Bridge could still use it locally with the Hue app (so strictly speaking, it’s not stone dead), the device lost all online services after April 2020, including out-of-home control and voice commands.  Leeo Smart Alert Nightlight  Launched: 2014 Original list price: $99 Date deactivated: Late 2019  Best Buy Released back in 2014, the Leeo Smart Alert Nightlight was a simple connected device that could listen for smoke, carbon dioxide, and water leak detectors going off. Doubling as a night light, the Leeo Smart Alert could warn you via mobile alert if it heard any home alarms blaring—and best of all, the monthly service charge was zip, a rarity in the smart home world.  Sadly, the no-cost service (meaning no recurring income for Leeo) may have sealed the fate of the Smart Alert Nightlight. After notifying customers in August 2019 that it was facing choppy financial waters (the company said it explored the possibility of imposing monthly fees, but never followed through), Leeo announced two months later that it was “unable to keep the network on.” Its internet connection gone, the Smart Alert lost all its smarts, although it could still work as a nightlight. (The color-capable light turned white once the network support shut down).  Logitech Harmony universal remotes (first-generation models)  Launched: Various dates Original list price: Various price points  Dave deactivated: March 2025  Amazon Ever since 2021, when Logitech first announced it would stop making Harmony remotes, users knew their beloved devices were living on borrowed time.  While Harmony remotes were never widely popular, they were cherished by home theater enthusiasts with multiple A/V devices to juggle. Rather than dealing with a pile of remotes on their coffee tables, they could use a single Harmony remote to control all their components.  The most powerful—and expensive—Harmony remotes could be programmed using an online database of tens of thousands of home theater products, while a Harmony desktop application allowed you to set up elaborate automations that would power up your TV, your A/V receiver, and other components in the right order, and with the correct inputs selected.  When it first announced it was discontinuing the Harmony line, Logitech (which acquired the Harmony brand in 2004) promised to keep the Harmony servers up and running for “as long as customers are using [them].”   To date, Harmony’s servers are still running, but Logitech did go ahead and cut support for two dozen of its first-generation Harmony remotes, including the Harmony 670, 720, 880 and 880 Pro, 1100i, and the Harmony for Xbox 360, while also killing off the legacy desktop app that those older remotes relied on. (Newer Harmony remotes that work with the MyHarmony website and Harmony mobile app are still functional.)  With their support cut off, older Harmony remotes can’t be reprogrammed anymore, nor can users add new devices to them or configure new automations. The remotes will still work with their last programmed configurations, but without online Harmony support, their smarts are effectively gone.  Nest Learning Thermostats (first and second generations)  Launched: 2011 (first generation), 2012 (second generation) Original list price: $250  Date deactivated: October 25, 2025  Walmart The 2011 arrival of the first Nest Learning Thermostat arguably kicked off the smart home era—and indeed, if you asked a random person on the street back then to name a smart device, the Nest thermostat would probably be the one they’d say. There have been several iterations of the Nest thermostat over the years, including new and improved Nest Learning Thermostat versions (the fourth generation is the most recent), along with a couple of budget-priced versions: the Nest Thermostat E from 2017, and the plain-old Nest Thermostat in 2020. Through it all, plenty of loyal Nest users kept using their older Nest thermostats—why fix what ain’t broke, right? But in April 2025, Google delivered a hammer blow, announcing that it would drop support for the first- and second-generation Nest Learning Thermostats on October 25, 2025. Not only would the devices stop getting software updates, they would also no longer connect to the Google Home app, nor would they be controllable remotely or by Google Assistant.   The two oldest Nest Learning Thermostats won’t go completely dead on October 25, 2025; you’ll still be able to adjust the temperature, mode, schedules, and other settings manually on the device itself, just as you would on any other dumb thermostat. But once Google cuts off support for the devices, the very quality that made those aging Nest thermostats so special—their smarts—will vanish.  It’s not all bad news for owners of the first- and second-gen Nest Learning Thermostats, however; Google has said it offer those users $130 off the purchase of a fourth-generation Nest Learning Thermostat (which is currently selling for $280). Dropcam HD and Dropcam Pro  Launched: 2012 (Dropcam HD), Dropcam Pro (2013) Original list price: $149 (Dropcam HD), $199 (Dropcam Pro) Date deactivated: April 8, 2024  Amazon Two of the original smart security cameras, the Dropcam HD and Dropcam Pro revolutionized the DIY home security market with their handsome designs, top-notch (for the time) video quality, and affordable price tags.  None of this escaped the notice of Nest, which scooped up Dropcam in 2014, just prior to Google’s acquisition of Nest.   Unlike what happened with the Revolv smart hub, Nest kept both Dropcam units operational for a decade before finally cutting off online support for both models in early April, 2024. Nest even offered the last remaining Dropcam users a free Nest Cam, provided they were Nest Aware subscribers.  Nest Secure  Launched: 2017 Original list price: $499 Date deactivated: April 8, 2024  Google The Dropcam HD and Dropcam Pro weren’t the only products that Nest reached out and killed on April 8, 2024. On the same day, the Google-owned brand also pulled the plug on Nest Secure, its DIY home security system.  Released in 2017, the Nest Secure bundle includes the central Nest Guard component, which offers an integrated keypad, siren, and motion sensor, plus two contact sensors and a pair of NFC-equipped Nest “Tags” that can arm or disarm the system with a tap.  Nest Secure garnered some admiring notices for its attractive industrial design, as well as the tight integration with Nest’s other smart home devices. But the hefty $500 price tag for just two contact sensors and an alarm was a major turnoff, and Nest discontinued Secure in 2020…right around the time that Google sunk $450 million in ADT.  As with the Dropcams, Nest Secure stopped working in April 2024, rendering its alarm and window/door sensors useless. That said, Google did offer Nest Secure users a new ADT security system worth up to $485—either that or a $200 Google Store credit. Read...

Music streaming service YouTube Music appears to have a new trick to nudge free users toward a YouTube Premium subscription. Android Authority reports that the music service now locks song lyrics behind a paywall. Free users report on Reddit that they can now see only a limited number of lyrics. To view more, they’re prompted to upgrade to a Premium subscription. This isn’t the first time a music streaming platform has tried this approach. Spotify, YouTube Music’s rival, tried something like this last year but quickly backed off after users (rightfully!) complained. The people of Reddit are pretty annoyed too, saying they use lyrics for karaoke, sing-alongs, or just learning new songs. They feel the change is a frustrating way to monetize features that were previously free. YouTube Music has over 125 million users, and this little lyrics paywall might push some folks to go Premium. But it could also anger folks who just want to see the words without feeling forced to cough up the cash. Whether other services like Apple Music or Amazon Music follows suit, or if enough people complain to make YouTube back off, only time will tell. Read...

I don’t know how your tech drawers look, but mine are filled with wires I’ll likely never use again because technology has advanced quite a bit. Thankfully, USB-C seems to be here to stay since there is no wrong way to plug these things in. It’s not just smartphones, tablets, and laptops that use these, however, but also a long list of gadgets. We’ve scoured the market for hidden gems: 12 gadgets that will make you think “Wow, I didn’t know I needed that, but it will make my life so much easier!” Let’s dive in and see what cool devices you’ll be able to use your type-C cables and ports with. Wowstick 1F+ mini electric screwdriver Wowstick If you often have to fiddle around with your computer or other gadgets, this Wowstick mini electric screwdriver may be just what you need. This pen-shaped screwdriver features three LED lights so it’s easier to see what you’re working on and rotates 200 times per minute so you can finish the job faster. The screwdriver has a stylish base so you can hold it on your desk, and a whole collection of 56 aluminum alloy bits. The screwdriver can be charged via USB-C and it can last for hours. This super fun electric screwdriver usually goes for $41. Anker Nano Power Bank Anker One thing you need to have in you bag/pocket/backpack is a power bank because you never really know when your phone will fail you and cry for a recharge. Well, the Anker Nano power bank is tiny enough to fit just about anywhere. It comes with a foldable USB-C connector and a port on the side so you can charge two devices at once if you need to. The 5,000mAh capacity is just about enough for a full phone recharge, so it will be great in a pinch. It’s also only $30, but we’ve seen it as low as $16. Endoscope camera with light Ennovor Although it’s not something you’ll use every day, this Ennover endoscope camera can definitely come in handy. You just plug it in your phone, install and app, and see everything your camera does. Our team swears by it, using it for finding whatever they dropped behind the desk, while working on the car, or looking for pipe leaks. Since it has an IP67 rating, you can even plop it in your aquarium. The camera comes with a 16.4ft semi-rigid cable and several accessories, including a hook, magnet, and a mirror. You can get this one for $23 right now. Blukar flashlight Blukar I don’t care who you are—you need a flashlight. The smaller, the better, because you get to shove it into any pocket. This model from Blukar comes with a built-in 1800mAh battery that you’ll recharge with one of those many type-C cables you have in that tech drawer we were talking about. It can work for up to 16 hours on a single charge, which is pretty decent. There are four different lightning modes to cycle through, including one that will help you signal for help. Plus, one of these is only $10, so no excuse to pass on this one. Heat It insect bite healer Anyone plagued by mosquitoes in the summer will be particularly pleased with this ingenious gadget. This tiny device, which can be easily connected to your smartphone via USB-C, can significantly reduce the itching of bites and stings with targeted heat. You simply charge the small Heat It bite healer via the app and then hold it on the bite. The heat then does the rest, breaking down the proteins in the mosquito bite that cause the area to swell, itch, and hurt. A true must-have for summer, and it costs only $20. A tiny air pump Also perfect for summer is this small air pump from Cycplus, which fits in any bag while on the go. Not only can it inflate a bicycle tire in two minutes at the touch of a button, but it’s also USB-charged. According to the manufacturer, it’s suitable for mountain bikes, road bikes, motorcycles, and even cars! In addition to being an air pump, this practical gadget can also be used as a flashlight or power bank for on-the-go use — all things that come in very handy on a bike ride. And at just $57, it’s highly recommended if you need quick help with a flat tire. USB-C mini fan These little fans are also pretty ingenious; you can easily carry them in your pocket in the summer and quickly use them whenever you need them. Anyone who’s ever sat on a crowded subway train in 30-degree heat and wished for at least a little fresh air will love this gadget. The mini fan, which costs just $20, has a USB-C port and can be easily powered by power banks, computers, laptops, or USB chargers. There are even smaller and cheaper fans available that can be connected directly to your phone, costing under $10 each. But these also provide less powerful airflow, so we recommend the standalone version. Reading light with a book clamp Anyone who enjoys reading a lot, sometimes late into the night, will appreciate this little gadget: a reading lamp that you can simply clip onto your book. It may not be groundbreaking, but with a total of three color temperatures and five different light modes, you can individually adjust how much light you need for reading. The Gritin reading lamp costs just $15 on Amazon and features a 1200 mAh battery that lasts up to 80 hours depending on usage. Afterward, you can easily recharge it via USB. You can swivel the neck of the lamp back and forth as desired, and there’s even a small charging indicator. What more could you want? External DVD Drive Amicool If your laptop is like mine and lacks a DVD drive, then this little gadget will come in handy for you. This Amicool external DVD drive uses a USB-C (or USB-A) to connect to your laptop and give yout he optical drive you sometimes need. It can read and burn DVDs and CDs with ease, allowing you to install software, copy files, back up data, play games, and so on. You won’t even need to install drives as this thing is plug and play. While this thing’s usually $29, you can often get it for around $20, which is an absolute bargain. Samsung flash drive Samsung The vast majority of flash drives have a USB-A connector, but this one from Samsung has a Type-C connector. With transfer speeds of up to 400MB/s, you’ll move files around in no time. The beauty of this thumb drive is that you can even pop it in your smartphone to record 4K vids directly on it. The Samsung Type-C flash drive comes in multiple storage options, starting at 64GB and up to 512GB and they start at $14. The 256GB version, for instance, is $27 at the time of writing. Type-C microSD card reader Ugreen Most laptops nowadays don’t come with a card reader anymore (I know mine doesn’t), so finding other ways to get data off those little buggers is a must. Whether you need to pull data off your dashcam’s card or if it’s from your camera, this tiny Ugreen USB-C microSD reader will work just fine. This reader is tiny enough that you should probably put it on a keychain of some kind. If you’d rather a slightly more versatile version, Ugreen has a model that also works with SD cards and features both USB-C and USB-A connectors. Any of these will cost you less than $10, so they’re worthwhile investments. USB-C to HDMI adapter Anker If your laptop has a USB-C port but you haven’t updated your monitor in ages, your display won’t feature a Type-C port. This Anker adapter fixes this problem for you, enabling you to connect the regular HDMI cable you plug in your monitor with this gadget. The adapter supports resolutions of up to 4K at 60Hz, which is pretty awesome. This is also a nifty way to connect your phone or tablet to your monitor or TV. This thing’s $20, but we’ve seen it as low as $12. Editor’s note: This article was originally published on May 16, but was updated to include additional devices. Read...

I firmly believe that every home—especially if you’re in a single-family house—should have at least one outdoor security camera. It offers untold peace of mind when you’re away at work, on vacation, or even chilling in your bed. And if you don’t have one yet, this deal is for you: Tapo’s C320WS 2K security cam is now just $34.98 (was $44.99) on Amazon. This is a wired camera, so you’ll need to run a power cable to it—make sure you pick a mounting spot that’s close enough to a power outlet so you can get it plugged in. That’s all the “support” this camera needs. Once it’s going, it connects to your home Wi-Fi network and you can manage everything from your phone. Plus, how cute are those little antennas that improve its Wi-Fi connectivity? Cuteness aside, this is a heck of a camera that captures video footage in crystal-clear 2560×1440 resolution (also known as 2K), allowing you to see even more details than most cameras in this price range. At night, it uses a Starlight night sensor to capture high-quality images in any lighting condition. It’s also weatherproof with an IP66 rating, so it’ll survive outdoors just fine. The two-way audio is nice for speaking to whoever’s outside, and the built-in siren can help scare away unwanted guests. The Tapo C320WS is fully compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, so you can pull up and check out your security footage at any time using a voice command. It supports both microSD storage (not included) and cloud storage (requires paid subscription), with the latter providing 30 days of history and extra features. Add a high-quality security camera to your home with the Tapo C320WS, and get it now while it’s 22% off! Get this awesome Wi-Fi security cam for just $35 while you canBuy now at Amazon Read...

These days, getting a mini PC makes more sense for a lot of people than investing in a massive desktop PC or a powerful laptop that costs a lot more than it should. With a mini PC, you can pay less and get more. Just look at this Beelink SER8 mini PC, which you can get for just $498.99 (was $629) on Amazon right now. Compare it to any similarly priced laptop to see just how much more you’re getting! This is a super-fast machine is perfect for home offices, with enough power to handle all your work apps, creative apps, media streaming, browser tabs, and more. The Beelink SER8 features a speedy AMD Ryzen 7 8745HS processor and a significant 32GB of fast DDR5 RAM, plus a 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD that’s both spacious and zippy. You can also upgrade the RAM (up to 256GB) and SSD (up to 8TB). As long as you aren’t a hardcore gamer, you’ll be good to go for years with this thing. That said, if you only want to do some modest gaming, this PC can handle it thanks to the integrated AMD Radeon 780M graphics. If you’re okay with low graphical settings and 30 FPS, you can actually get by pretty well with this thing. One of my favorite benefits, though, is the multitasking support. The Beelink SER8 can handle up to three 4K@120Hz monitors via the HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 1.4, and USB4 ports. You also get plenty of other connectivity, including a fast USB-C data port, two fast USB-A, two slower USB-A for peripherals, a 2.5G Ethernet, and a 3.5mm audio jack. It also has built-in Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2, so you’re wirelessly covered. The Beelink SER8 is an insane value for $498.99, so take advantage of this limited-time Amazon deal while you still can! Save 21% on this powerhouse mini PC with surprisingly good specsBuy now at Amazon Read...