Like many other streaming platforms, Google TV is gradually getting harder to tolerate. Finding something to watch requires wading through all kinds of ads and upsells, from the sponsored listings at the top of the home screen to multiple rows touting movies and shows for purchase. Those money-grabs detract from what used to be one of the more useful streaming TV home screens. A new app called AT4K Launcher offers a solution, with an alternative launcher that shamelessly borrows from the Apple TV interface. With a few minutes of setup, you can remove the ads from Google TV’s home screen and get a much simpler menu for apps. If you have a Google TV smart television (from brands like TCL, Hisense, and Sony) or a Google TV streaming player (like the excellent Walmart Onn 4K Plus), this free app is at least worth a look. How AT4K Launcher works AT4K Launcher is an alternative home screen (also known as a launcher) for Google TV and Android TV devices. It lists all the apps you’ve installed on your smart TV or streaming device, but with a different presentation than the default home screen. Google TV’s standard home screen (left) vs. AT4K Launcher (right)Jared Newman / Foundry The inspiration is clear: AT4K Launcher looks nearly identical to the app grid on Apple TV streaming boxes, with five big app icons per row and a carousel of featured content at the top. You can reposition apps by long-pressing them and choosing where you want them to appear. That top feature carousel works similarly to Apple TV as well. When you highlight an app in the top row, it’ll show a list of things to watch, seemingly based on Android TV’s recommendation rows. Clicking one of those recommendations takes you directly to the video. You can view Hulu’s recommendations by highlighting the app in the top row.Jared Newman / Foundry If an app doesn’t support home screen recommendations (such as Netflix), AT4K Launcher’s top carousel will instead show a “Watch Next” row, with recently watched movies and shows from across different apps. You can also hide the top carousel entirely through AT4K Launcher’s settings menu. AT4K Launcher is free to use, with an optional one-time purchase of $5 to unlock some extra features, including custom wallpapers and an option to have six apps per row instead of five. While it’s not the only replacement launcher for Google TV devices (Projectivy is a popular alternative), I appreciate its visual polish and the way it handles recommendations. AT4K Launcher’s settings menuJared Newman / Foundry That said, the app has room for improvement. The Watch Next row could use its own dedicated app icon, along with an option to add or remove items from it. And perhaps long-pressing an icon could reveal more options for things like uninstalling and viewing the app info page. Unlike on Apple TV, there’s no folder support either. At least the developer seems responsive to suggestions and bug reports on AT4K Launcher’s subreddit. Replacing Google TV’s default launcher When you install AT4K Launcher from the Google Play Store, it’ll appear as an app on the standard Google TV home screen, and you’ll need to launch it manually every time. That’s obviously not ideal. If you want to replace the regular home screen with AT4K Launcher, there are a couple of ways to approach it: The easier way The easiest option is to remap your remote’s home button so it opens the AT4K Launcher app. For this, I recommend a separate app called TVQuickActions, or the optional Pro version ($4). I’ve written a separate article on setting up TVQuickActions, but here’s the gist: Install the TVQuickActions app on your Google TV device. Skip over the Show Overlay and Usage Access setup screens unless you want to enable some more advanced controls, and skip the battery optimization screen as well. When prompted to start the accessibility service, hit “Agree.” In your device’s Settings menu, head to Accessibility, then scroll to the button and enable “tvQuickActions.” Jared Newman / Foundry In the TVQuickActions app, head to Mappings and select “Add Button.” Hit your remote’s Home button. Set “Button action type” to “Usual action.” Set “Single press” to “AT4K Launcher.” Select “Double press” or “Long press,” then look under the “Action” tab and select “Go to home.” (This lets you return to Google’s default home screen as needed.) Jared Newman / Foundry Using TVQuickActions to remap your home button has a couple of downsides: The standard home screen will always appear when your TV first turns on, and you’ll need to hit the back button instead of the home button to exit Google TV’s screensaver mode. Still, I like that you can easily return to the default home screen, whose broader recommendations can sometimes come in handy. The harder way If you want to fully replace Google TV’s standard launcher, you must use a different app called Launcher Manager. It’s only available via sideloading and requires extra configuration to setup. Advanced users who are comfortable with sideloading can follow these instructions: Install Downloader by AFTVnews from the Google Play Store. Open the Downloader app, then enter 160445 in its address bar. Jared Newman / Foundry When you see the warning about installing unknown apps, hit the “Settings” button Enable the toggle for Downloader. Allowing Downloader to install apps from outside the Google Play Store.Jared Newman / Foundry Hit the “Install” button when prompted. Open the Launcher Manager app and select “Enable Custom Launcher.” If you get a “Connection Failed” message, hit “Open ADB Settings.” In the next menu, turn on developer options and enable USB debugging. Return to the Launcher Manager app and select “Enable Custom Launcher” again. Jared Newman / Foundry Now, your Google TV device will always load AT4K Launcher at startup and when you hit the home button. If you need to access the default Google TV home screen again, just open Launcher Manager and select “Disable Custom Launcher.” This story is part of TechHive’s in-depth coverage of the best media streamers. Sign up for Jared’s Cord Cutter Weekly newsletter for more streaming TV advice. Read...

At a glanceExpert`s Rating Pros High CPU and iGPU performance for a mini PC Good RAM and SSD expandability despite compact design Stable continuous performance thanks to good cooling system Modern connections including USB4 and dual 2.5G LAN Powerful AI acceleration for local AI workloads Cons At full load in 45-watt mode, the fan noise is clearly audible The built-in SSD limits the maximum possible transfer rates of the system Our Verdict The Alliwava GH8 is a good example of how much performance is possible today in the smallest of spaces. With the Ryzen 9 8945HS, it not only offers powerful CPU performance, but also added value for AI applications thanks to the improved NPU. It bridges the gap between a compact office computer and a powerful gaming station. In doing so, it leaves many competitors behind in terms of connectivity and cooling management. A real powerhouse for demanding users. Price when reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Best Prices Today: Alliwava GH8 Retailer Price Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Best Prices Today: Check today’s prices Tech specs: Processor: AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS (8 cores / 16 threads, up to 5.2 GHz, Zen 4 architecture) GPU: AMD Radeon 780M (12 cores, up to 2.8 GHz) RAM: 32 GB DDR5-5600 RAM (dual channel, expandable to 64 GB) Storage: 1 TB NVMe M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 SSD (second slot available, up to 4 TB total capacity) Connectivity: Dual 2.5G LAN (Realtek RTL8125BG), WiFi 6 (Intel AX200), Bluetooth 5.2 Ports: 1 × USB 4.0 (Type-C), 1 × HDMI 2.1, 1 × DisplayPort 2.1, multiple USB 3.2 ports Operating system: Windows 11 Pro pre-installed Cooling: MSC 2.0 system with vapour chamber and dual fans Dimensions: 13 × 12.7 × 5.2 cm (L × W × H) Weight: approx. 580 grams The Alliwava GH8 aims to provide powerful notebook hardware in a compact mini PC case. It uses the latest high-end AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS processor from AMD’s Hawk Point series, which is specially designed for performance-oriented, space-saving systems. Does the Alliwava GH8 prove itself in our test, compared to similar devices? In testing, the Alliwava GH8 proves to be a high-performance solution for users who need a lot of computing power in a minimal footprint. Alliwava GH8: Design The Alliwava GH8 dispenses with large plastic elements and instead features a metal case with integrated mesh grilles. This choice of material primarily serves passive heat dissipation and gives the device a technical, functional aesthetic. The build quality is impressive, with precise gap dimensions and mechanically resilient sockets. Christoph Hoffmann With compact dimensions of 13 × 12.7 × 5.2 centimeters (L × W × H) and a weight of around 580 grams, the GH8 is less bulky overall than, for example, the models from Geekom (A7 Max and A9 Max) and Miniforum’s AI X1 Pro. It should fit easily on any desk, in the living room or in the home office. Thanks to the included VESA mount, it can also be mounted on the back of a monitor to save space. A key focus of the GH8 is its cooling design. Compared to earlier models such as the H90 Pro, Alliwava has visibly revamped the design. It features an efficient cooling design with large heat dissipation and an optimized dual fan system. The side ventilation grilles support even air circulation, which is particularly relevant during prolonged CPU and GPU loads. In noise-reduced operating modes, the system remains pleasantly quiet at around 35dB. This makes it significantly quieter than older, less thermally efficient mini PC generations. Christoph Hoffmann Alliwave GH8: Features The processor is the AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS (Hawk Point), a further development of the 7940HS used in the Geekom A7 Max, for example. With 8 cores and 16 threads at up to 5.2 GHz, the system covers demanding multitasking and content creation scenarios. The integrated Ryzen AI NPU is optimized for local AI processes such as image filters, audio noise reduction and on-device language models. Graphically, the GH8 relies on the Radeon 780M (12 CUs), which enables Full HD gaming at moderate quality settings and is thus expected to outperform the Intel competition in terms of frame stability. Our benchmark results below show whether this is indeed the case. Christoph Hoffmann Three performance profiles between 25 and 45 watts can be selected via the UEFI BIOS. This allows users to choose between maximum performance and quiet operation. The processor is flanked by a whopping 32GB of DDR5 RAM (manufacturer: Micron) with a clock speed of 5,600 MT/s. One critical point is the installed 1 TB NVMe SSD: measurements of 3,572 MB/s (read) and 2,029 MB/s (write) confirm a PCIe 3.0 standard connection, which falls short of the system’s capabilities. On the positive side, however, is the second free M.2 slot, which allows memory expansion up to 4 TB. Christoph Hoffmann The variety of connections is impressive for a device of this size. The interfaces for direct access are located on the front, with the USB4 port in Type-C format being particularly noteworthy from a technical point of view. This operates with a bandwidth of up to 40 Gbit/s and supports PCIe tunnelling. This makes the port not only suitable for transferring large amounts of data, but also for video output or connecting external graphics cards (eGPU). The front is complemented by two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports, which provide a data transfer rate of 10 Gbit/s. Christoph Hoffmann The rear of the case is designed for permanent cabling. Here, two additional USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports are available, which are also specified at 10 Gbit/s. For devices with lower data throughput, such as keyboards, mice or printers, two additional USB 2.0 ports are available. Christoph Hoffmann This separation according to USB standards allows the processor’s fast data lines to be kept free for high-performance storage solutions, while the slower interfaces take care of the basic peripherals. In combination with the dedicated video outputs, this USB configuration allows multiple screens to be operated and integrated into complex working environments. Together with HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 2.1, up to four screens can be controlled simultaneously with 4K resolution at 60 Hz. This makes the GH8 a good choice for professional multi-monitor setups. On the network side, the compact computer boasts two 2.5 Gbit/s LAN ports. This also makes it interesting for special applications such as soft routing or as a responsive media server in the home network. WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 round off the modern connectivity package. Alliwava GH8: Operating System The Alliwava GH8 comes with Windows 11 Pro pre-installed, which is activated with a local user account. On our test device, the operating system was Windows 11 25H2 Build 26200. Therefore, you may need to update when necessary after setup. We downloaded and installed various drivers via Windows Update, as well as the AMD drivers for the Radeon graphics card and the chipset. Although we are not looking at Windows 11 Pro in isolation, the synergy between the operating system and the GH8’s hardware is a decisive factor. The architecture of the Ryzen 9 8945HS is tailor-made for the modern Windows environment, as the system accelerates the new AI functions natively and efficiently in many areas. Instead of burdening the CPU cores with background tasks such as Windows Studio effects (background blur or eye contact correction in video calls), the system delegates these processes directly to the NPU (Neural Processing Unit). This not only ensures a smoother user experience, but also conserves the thermal reserves of the mini PC. The seamless integration is also evident in the automatic allocation of AI workloads within Creative Cloud or local Copilot applications, underscoring the GH8’s role as a future-proof AI workstation. Alliwava GH8: Performance With the AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS, the Alliwava GH8 positions itself as a powerful representative of the current mini PC upper class. It delivers a balanced result in benchmarks in terms of computing power, graphics performance and memory throughput. The installed processor is based on the Zen 4 architecture (“Hawk Point”) and integrates the Radeon 780M graphics unit. This puts it in the same performance range as demanding compact workstations. Compared to the newer Zen 5 generation, as found in the Sapphire Edge AI 370, for example, the 8945HS built into the GH8 offers an already established platform that has been supplemented by an optimized NPU for AI calculations. In combination with 32GB of DDR5 RAM and a PCIe 4.0 SSD, the result is a system that not only handles classic office and productivity tasks, but is also designed to be stable for computationally intensive applications such as multitasking scenarios and local AI workloads. The hardware configuration is designed to make efficient use of the thermal capacities of the compact chassis. We determined the desktop computing power using the PCMark 10 benchmark test. The software gives us realistic values by processing everyday tasks one after the other. Christoph Hoffmann The benchmark sub-sections Essentials (9,814 points) and Productivity (9,066 points) show that everyday tasks, office work or multitasking run practically without delay on the GH8. The Digital Content Creation score of 7,810 points is somewhat weaker, leaving the mini PC almost 3,000 points behind the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 and even 4,000 points behind the Geekom IT15 with Intel Core Ultra 9. In 3DMark’s CPU profile, the GH8 underscores its versatility: with 6,284 points at maximum threads and 956 points in the single-thread test, it achieves scores on par with the mobile Ryzen 9 8945HS. However, this places it around 20 percent below the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 in the market environment. Nevertheless, the multithread scaling shows that even demanding computing operations or parallel AI processes are handled stably. Christoph Hoffmann The Time Spy score of 2,573 points is dramatically lower than the 4,244 points achieved by the IT15 with Intel Core Ultra 9 285H. The CPU points (10,150), on the other hand, are in the upper performance segment, which pays off in simulations, renderings or AI tasks. The results in benchmarks such as Steel Nomad (375 points) and Solar Bay (9,826 points) confirm that the GH8 translates its theoretical nominal performance into measurable results in 3D and ray tracing scenarios. These values illustrate the potential of the Radeon 780M within the Zen 4 architecture. The system delivers stable performance, especially with modern graphics interfaces. The Geekbench AI Pro values (2,941 single precision / 6,831 quantised) indicate solid AI acceleration, which is particularly relevant for on-device AI applications, edge computing or local LLM inference. Here, the GH8 even outperforms the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370. Christoph Hoffmann Less convincing is the SSD performance in Crystal Disk Mark: with 3,572 MB/s read and 2,029 MB/s write, the data storage is comparatively slow. Competitor models achieve values of 6,000 to 7,000 MB/s in read performance and more than twice the write performance. The SSD in the GH8 slows down the system in some areas. Interestingly, however, it’s in a similar speed range to the Alliwava H980 Pro. Christoph Hoffmann Is the Alliwava G8G worth it? In testing, the Alliwava GH8 proves to be a high-performance solution for users who need a lot of computing power in a minimal footprint. The decision to use the AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS pays off especially in multi-core scenarios and with modern AI workloads, where the integrated NPU shows its strengths. While the CPU performance is beyond reproach, the integrated Radeon 780M positions itself as a solid basis for casual gamers and content creators, even if it lags behind dedicated graphics solutions or AMD’s latest Zen 5 generation, as expected. A clear plus point is the revised cooling concept, which reliably dissipates waste heat even in 45-watt mode, although a clearly audible background noise is generated under full load. The USB4 and dual 2.5G LAN equipment is future-proof. Only the factory-installed SSD detracts from the overall picture with its below-average transfer rates. Those who are willing to take matters into their own hands—which is easily possible thanks to the excellent expandability—will find the GH8 to be a versatile powerhouse. It confidently bridges the gap between a compact office computer and a powerful workstation, leaving many competitors behind in terms of connectivity. Read...

At a glanceExpert`s Rating Pros Attractive and lightweight chassis Enjoyable keyboard and haptic touchpad Easy-to-view matte OLED touchscreen Good multi-core CPU performance Great integrated graphics performance Cons Battery life is merely typical Might be expensive at MSRP Our Verdict The Asus ExpertBook Ultra benefits from the performance of Intel’s new Panther Lake architecture, but it’s also a great premium business laptop in its own right. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Best Prices Today: Asus Expertbook Ultra Retailer Price Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Intel’s Panther Lake, produced with the company’s long heralded and frequently delayed 18A fabrication process, is finally beginning to tip-toe into the world. And the Asus ExpertBook Ultra is one of the first production laptops we’ve had the chance to try (Mark Hachman also recently reviewed an Asus Zenbook Duo with the top-tier Intel Core Ultra X9 388H).  While the ExpertBook has a less powerful version of Panther Lake than what’s in the Zenbook Duo, I have to concur with Mark’s conclusion. You’re going to want this.  Asus ExpertBook Ultra: Specs and features as-tested The Asus ExpertBook Ultra I received has Intel’s Core Ultra X7 358H inside. This is a high-end version of Panther Lake. It provides 16 cores in total and has Intel Arc B390 graphics, just like the Intel Core Ultra X9 388H. However, the X7 358H promises a maximum Turbo clock speed of 4.8GHz, a bit lower than the X9 388H’s maximum Turbo clock of 5.1GHz.  Model number: B9406 CPU: Intel Core Ultra X7 358H Memory: 32GB LPDDR5x-8533 Graphics/GPU: Intel Arc B390 NPU: 50 TOPS Display: 14-inch 2880×1880 tandem OLED touchscreen with Corning Gorilla Glass Storage: 2TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 solid state drive Webcam and microphone: 1080p FHD IR camera Connectivity: 2x Thunderbolt 4 with DisplayPort and Power Delivery, 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2, 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x 3.5mm combo audio jack Networking: Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0 Biometrics: Windows Hello facial recognition, fingerprint reader Battery capacity: 70 watt-hours Dimensions: 12.24 x 8.38 x 0.65 inches Weight: 2.42 pounds Operating System: Windows 11 Pro Additional features: Haptic touchpad Price: TBD While the new Intel Panther Lake hardware inside the ExpertBook Ultra is certainly exciting, it’s not the only feature worth mentioning. The ExpertBook also has a 14-inch OLED touchscreen with a Corning Gorilla Glass Victus Matte finish, a haptic touchpad, and a pair of Thunderbolt 4 ports.  One bit of information that’s missing from the equation, however, is the price. The ExpertBook is not due for release until April. Because of that, pricing is not yet settled. Asus said it expects a price similar to competitors, however, and cited alternatives like the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon and Dell Pro 14 Premium. These are often around $2,500 when similarly equipped. The Asus ExpertBook Ultra is a solid premium business laptop and a significant escalation of Asus’ profile in the space. Asus ExpertBook Ultra: Design and build quality Foundry / Matthew Smith The Asus ExpertBook Ultra makes a solid first impression straight out of the box. It uses a light, strong magnesium-aluminum alloy that keeps the laptop’s weight down to just 2.42 pounds (with tandem OLED display).  Magnesium-aluminum alloy is a common material for lightweight laptops, and it usually suffers from a plastic-y feel that seems inexpensive. However, the ExpertBook Ultra counteracts that with a “nano ceramic” finish, much like Asus’ ceraluminum, which adds a pleasing matte finish and gives the laptop a grippy feel. The laptop’s build quality is solid, too, with only the slightest flex noticeable when handling the laptop from one corner or opening the display lid.  I like the laptop’s Morn Gray colorway. Gray—as opposed to silver—is not that common of a color option for a modern laptop, and the particular tone used here feels modern but professional. The finish is matte but has a metallic luster that sparkles when the light catches the laptop just right. It will also be available in a darker Jet Fog colorway, but I didn’t have a chance to see it. It’s also a compact laptop, measuring a hair over 12 inches wide, about 8.5 inches deep, and no more than 0.65 inches thick. Measurements like this are not uncommon in 2026, but still sufficient to give the laptop a slim, sleek feel similar to what 13-inch ultralights provided five or so years ago—but with a slightly larger 14-inch display.  Asus ExpertBook Ultra: Keyboard, touchpad Foundry / Matthew Smith I was further impressed when I sat down to write on the Asus ExpertBook Ultra. It has a spacious keyboard with fantastic key feel. Keys have good travel and activate with a crisp yet not overly firm action. Most modern business laptops have at least a passable keyboard, but the ExpertBook Ultra has one of the best in recent memory.  Below the keyboard you’ll find a spacious haptic touchpad. It measures about five inches wide and a little over three inches deep, which is a respectable size for a 14-inch laptop. The surface provides enough room to execute Windows multi-touch gestures including the 5-finger swipe.  I also like the touchpad’s haptic feedback. I find haptic touchpads are almost universally better than those with a physical click action. Of course, that’s because the physical click action on modern laptops is often terrible, but it is what it is. The haptic touchpad offers a convincing sense of tactile feedback. Asus ExpertBook Ultra: Display, audio Foundry / Matthew Smith A 14-inch OLED touchscreen with 2880×1880 resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate is found on every Asus ExpertBook Ultra. The specs suggest it’s a rather common panel, but the ExpertBook has a secret weapon. It’s a matte display.  Specifically, the laptop uses a Corning Gorilla Glass Victus display with a matte finish. This is doubly rare. Most laptops with an OLED panel don’t have a matte or anti-glare finish, and most laptops don’t use Corning’s Gorilla Glass.  The result is a spectacular yet practical display. The 14-inch OLED panel delivers the incredible color vibrance, rich contrast, and high sharpness that is typical of OLED display panels. Yet it also provides a low-glare finish that keeps the display reasonably easy to read even outdoors. The high-gloss finish used by most OLED screens can become a problem in that situation. The ExpertBook also comes through in audio performance. It has a six-speaker sound system that delivers good volume and some hint of bass, which allows it to deliver kick in movies and music without becoming muddy and indistinct. It can still begin to sound buzzy and harsh at maximum volume, but that volume is so loud you’ll likely not use it often, and the sound is decent at more modest volumes. Asus Expertbook Ultra: Webcam, microphone, biometrics The Asus ExpertBook Ultra has a lot to recommend it, but it’s not flawless, and the webcam is among its less impressive features. That’s not to say it’s bad. It’s a 1080p webcam with a physical privacy shutter. Image quality is competitive with most Windows laptops in good to moderate lighting, but it doesn’t defy the typical issues webcams experience in mixed or low light. The webcam also has an extremely wide field of view, which I’m not a huge fan of—though this is typical for many webcams on modern Windows laptops. Audio is recorded with a dual-microphone array. Like the webcam, it’s not bad but also doesn’t stand out. The audio is recorded at good volume and can reject most background noise, but audio capture still has the hollow, distant sound common to laptop microphones.  However, the ExpertBook Ultra delivers on biometrics. It has a fingerprint sensor built into the power button, which is located on the keyboard beside the Delete key, and it supports facial recognition via an IR webcam. Both were smooth in my testing.  Asus ExpertBook Ultra: Connectivity Foundry / Matthew Smith A pair of Thunderbolt 4 ports are the star of the Asus ExpertBook Ultra’s connectivity. Each supports Power Delivery to charge the laptop as well as DisplayPort for video-out connections. Asus also wisely places one port on each side of the laptop, instead of both on the same side, and both ports are about as far back on the flanks of the laptop as possible. That helps with cable management.  The laptop also has a pair of USB-A ports. These, too, are split across both flanks of the laptop. An HDMI 2.1 port and a 3.5mm combo audio jack, both on the laptop’s left flank, round out the options.  Wireless connectivity is solid, as well, as the laptop supports both Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6.0. I was impressed by the laptop’s Wi-Fi speeds. Most laptops that I review deliver fine performance, but the ExpertBook was noticeably quicker than the average when I used it in my detached home office, which is several walls and about 40 feet from my router.  Asus ExpertBook Ultra: Performance The Asus ExpertBook Ultra is one of the first laptops PC World has received with Intel’s new Panther Lake architecture inside.  Specifically, the laptop has the Intel Core Ultra X7 358H. This chip provides a total of 16 CPU cores (four performance, eight efficient, and four low-power efficient) with a maximum Turbo clock of 4.8GHz. The ExpertBook pairs the Intel chip with 32GB of LPDDR5x-8533 memory and a 2TB PCIe 4.0 solid state drive.  So, how does Intel’s new hardware stack up? Foundry / Matthew Smith We start off with PCMark 10, a holistic system benchmark that speaks favorably of the Intel Core Ultra X7 358H. It leaps ahead here with a score of 9,892, which is well ahead of the AMD Ryzen AI and Intel Core Ultra Series 2 chips in previous premium business laptops.  I found this result surprising, and tried it several times, only to discover the scores improved (slightly). Having done that, I can only conclude that the laptop is a performer, and a performer across many aspects instead of one or two. This is a stellar start for Panther Lake. Foundry / Matthew Smith Next up is Cinebench R24, a heavily multi-threaded benchmark that is often quite harsh on Intel architecture or, at least, was harsh to Lunar Lake chips that usually found their way into this category of laptop. The benchmark doesn’t seem to love Intel’s strategy of using many different types of cores.  This may still be somewhat true with the Intel Core Ultra X7 358H, as its level of performance is not what the core count might lead you to expect, but it’s still quick enough to deliver a big gain over Intel Core Ultra 256/258V chips from the last generation, and it’s now competitive with AMD Ryzen AI 9 and Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite.  Foundry / Matthew Smith Handbrake was a real surprise. As the graph shows, this benchmark has historically been rather down on Intel Core Ultra Series 2, placing them well behind AMD Ryzen AI competitors. Yet Panther Lake makes up the difference and then some, and squeezes out a slight victory. As the graph shows, this is a huge improvement. Intel’s Panther Lake seems to be mostly spoken of as a graphics story, or at least that was the impression I received at CES 2026, but don’t sleep on its CPU performance. It’s a big leap over Lunar Lake.  It should be mentioned that Panther Lake currently has the advantage of going first. PC World has yet to benchmark a production laptop with AMD’s new Gorgon Point architecture (though its gains are expected to be modest) or Qualcomm’s upcoming Snapdragon X2 (which is promised to post big gains). Still, as it stands right now, Panther Lake looks solid. Foundry / Matthew Smith The Asus ExpertBook Ultra’s integrated graphics performance only sweetens the deal. Some new Intel Core Ultra Series 3 chips, including the Intel Core Ultra X7 358H in the Asus ExpertBook Ultra, have Intel’s Arc B390. It has 12 Xe graphics cores and, in this incarnation, a maximum clock of 2.5GHz. And it’s quite a beast. Intel’s Arc B390 cleans up the competition. In 3DMark Time Spy, the most graphically complex of these tests, it’s about 75 percent faster than the HP EliteBook X G1a with AMD Radeon 890M integrated graphics, and over 45 percent quicker than Intel Arc 140V in the Lenovo ThinkPad T14s. For comparison, I also tossed in the Acer Nitro V16 AI with Nvidia RTX 5050 graphics. The RTX 5050 is still much quicker with a Time Spy score of 9,571, so if you were thinking Intel Arc B390 might replace modern Nvidia discrete mobile graphics, it’s not quite there. However, the Intel Arc B390’s Time Spy score is in league with many entry-level RTX 3050 and RTX 4050 laptops from a few years ago. Laptops with those GPUs often score between 5,000 and 7,000. I also tried Intel Arc B390 in two games we frequently test: Shadow of the Tomb Raider and Cyberpunk 2077. Tomb Raider averaged 79 FPS at 1080p resolution and the Highest detail settings, while Cyberpunk 2077 averaged 46 FPS at 1080p and Ultra detail. This is playable performance, and without any form of XeSS upscaling (which works well) used to further enhance frame rates. Asus ExpertBook Ultra: Battery life Asus stuffs a 70 watt-hour battery in the ExpertBook Ultra. That’s a typical battery capacity for a Windows laptop of this size, so the laptop’s longevity comes down to the efficiency of Intel’s new chip. The results are fine but, unlike Panther Lake’s performance, don’t stand out. Foundry / Matthew Smith I recorded a little over 15 hours of battery life in PC World’s standard battery rundown test, which loops a 4K file of the short film Tears of Steel with the display brightness set to roughly 200 nits. As the graph shows, this is a fine but not unusual result. Many modern Windows laptops can achieve 15 hours of battery life, though some land far short of that mark. My real-world experience was close to the battery life test. The battery drained at a rate that would leave me with about 12 hours of life. I used the laptop for my typical workflow, which included writing in LibreOffice, using Google Docs, browsing the web, and occasionally editing photos with GIMP.  The ExpertBook ships with a 90-watt power adapter that can charge the laptop via either of its two Thunderbolt 4 ports. The power adapter is compact, measuring less than three inches in depth and width, and almost exactly an inch thick.While the laptop will complain if it receives less than 90 watts of power, a less powerful 45 to 65 watt USB-C power adapter can charge the laptop if you’re not using it for demanding work—it will just do so more slowly and may impact performance. Asus ExpertBook Ultra: Conclusion The Asus ExpertBook Ultra is a solid premium business laptop and a significant escalation of Asus’ profile in the space.It’s attractive and light, it has a great keyboard and touchpad, and it offers an easy-to-view matte OLED display. Intel’s Core Ultra X7 358H, meanwhile, delivers great marks across the board with good multi-core CPU performance and outstanding integrated graphics performance.  I can find a couple nitpicks. The battery life is just mediocre and the webcam is merely adequate. But in these areas the laptop is competitive—it just doesn’t stand out. The one open question is the laptop’s MSRP, as the ExpertBook Ultra will not arrive until April. I do expect it will be expensive (roughly around $2,500), as is typical for this type of laptop. Still, the laptop’s quality is high enough to be worth a premium. This is a serious alternative to a Dell Pro 14 Premium, ThinkPad X1 Carbon, or HP EliteBook. Read...

Using the antivirus trial that came with your PC? Or perhaps you’ve just been sitting it out with Windows Security? You may be able to do better. Why only may do better? It all depends on your needs—factors like your household, level of tech savvy, and willingness to directly manage your protection. You could work in tech but might not have time to constantly monitor your family’s fleet of devices, for example. Or maybe you’re an individual with interest and time to stay abreast of the latest security news. With that in mind, these three antivirus recommendations are the ones I most often suggest. They cover a broad range of situations, no matter your circumstances or budget. Option 1: Windows Security The former Security Center is now called “Windows Security” and summarizes the Windows 11 security modules in one overview. Foundry This may be the option you’ve already got—or perhaps you don’t know it exists. Either way, Microsoft’s built-in security can be an adequate defense against threats, if you already practice good security habits. (Not installing software from questionable sources or purposely hitting up sketchy sites, etc.) You will, however, have to play with the settings to get the most out of the app. Ransomware protection may not automatically be on by default, for example. The same goes for blocking unwanted apps by turning on reputation-based protection in Windows Security’s App & browser control settings. If you’re on a fresh PC, I recommend also turning on Smart App Control while in the App & browser control settings, for an extra boost. (Note: These settings can mildly interfere with select apps, but most people won’t notice.) By the way—if your PC has a free trial for another antivirus service already installed, you’ll need to disable it (or better, uninstall it) to allow Windows Security to take over. Pros: Free, unobtrusive Cons: Bare-bones user interface with minimal explanations. Management of passwords and privacy must be done separately. Option 2: Full-featured antivirus suite Mattias Inghe Paid antivirus subscriptions may not be needed by everyone, but they do offer some advantages over Windows Security and other free options. Good ones have three key strengths: First, they’re more proactive about guarding users from dangers. For example, plans may include screening tools in the apps to detect scam language or links in messages. Second, they make understanding features and notifications much easier, by giving context and explanations in the interface and alerts. Finally, they simplify management of online security by offering a more comprehensive set of services. At minimum, I like to see a password manager, VPN, and basic data breach monitoring. But more robust subscriptions will include features like parental controls, cloud storage to help back up vital files (as extra protection against ransomware), or PC utilities that scan for outdated drivers. Currently, our top pick for best paid antivirus is Norton Deluxe 360, as this particular plan ticks these boxes. But there are plenty of other options that could be equally (or better) fits for your circumstances—our roundup of the best antivirus suites has multiple recommendations. Pros: Broader, centralized protection that’s easier to understand Cons: Such suites require a regular subscription fee Option 3: Free antivirus Foundry Perhaps you don’t want to pay for antivirus, but you would like higher protection, more information, or even additional features than found in Windows Security. Fortunately, you have options—and some of them are excellent. Want some of the strongest offline and online safeguards? Bitdefender’s free version is no-frills, but its antivirus engine consistently gets high marks across the board from independent testing organizations. Or perhaps you’d like strong defense and more features? You can lean on Avast One’s no-cost plan, which also can monitor your email and browser activity. These free plans rely on the same scanning engines as paid subscriptions, so you’re not compromising on protection. The main catch is that advanced features and services will require upgrading–and some apps will nag you periodically to consider forking over that money. But with some tweaks, you usually can make the software leave you in peace. Pros: Free, but with stronger security or more features than Windows Security (or both) Cons: Still limited feature sets. Periodic notifications about upgrading to paid plans. Read...

Google says that it’s bringing a major change to Chrome users today: a mainstream agentic AI that will “autobrowse” the web for you, performing tasks that you assign it. Chrome’s also getting a sidebar — and yes, with Gemini AI. Autobrowsing capabilities will arrive today for Chrome users who subscribe to either Google AI Pro ($19.99 per month) or Google AI Ultra ($249.99 per month), while the Chrome sidebar will roll out today for all Chrome users. The move comes a day after Google announced the Google AI Plus plan for $7.99 per month, which will not have access to the autobrowse features. Essentially, Google sees the autobrowsing as the evolution of its autofill capabilities, which aren’t unique to Chrome. Autofill stores details like your credit card and applies them when necessary, such as to complete a purchase. Autobrowsing simply takes a task and goes out and completes it to the best of Chrome’s ability, leaving the final step — a confirmation of purchase — for you to approve. Agentic browsing is nothing new; Microsoft showed off an agentic shopping demonstration a year ago, as well as Copilot Mode for Edge last summer. OpenAI has done something similar with the Atlas agentic browser, and others have followed suit. Nevertheless, Statcounter reports that Chrome has about 65 percent of the desktop browser market share for North America, far and away the most dominant browser. Mainstreaming agentic actions, even for a paid subscription, is a significant move. Google You’ll access auto browse the same way that you’ll interact with Google’s Gemini AI: as a browser sidebar, accessible by clicking the small Gemini icon at the top of the browser. That will open up the sidebar and a text box, and allow you to ask Gemini to start filling out tasks. Google said that auto browse tasks can include filling out PDFs, renewing drivers’ licenses, but also researching trips and other tasks, including scheduling and booking reservations. However, executives said information “that’s happening on the right-hand side is not shared back with the site.” Google said that the new Gemini sidebar will tap what it’s referred to as “personal intelligence,” remembering past conversations and information you’ve shared with it, which is now included in AI Mode. If you’ve allowed Google access to apps like Gmail, this information will be used, too. Google An interesting addition will be support for Nano Banana, Google’s image rendering algorithm. Nano Banana will be accessible by Chrome, so that it will be able to pull in and edit an image that you have in your browser — not just one that you own. Google executives couldn’t say whether there would be any copyright protections in place, or whether users would simply be able to tell the algorithm to edit the image. Yes, autobrowsing is reserved for paying subscribers — for now. But it will likely move down to cheaper tiers over time, if it proves successful. Google Read...

$1,000 is a lot to pay for a monitor. But this one might be right up your alley, if you’re looking for a combination of OLED brilliance, massive size, and relatively manageable resolution. LG’s 45-inch UltraGear OLED gaming monitor is going for $999.99 on Amazon, an impressive $700 off the retail price. Let me break it down for you. With 3440×1440 ultrawide resolution and a 240Hz refresh rate, this 45-inch monitor has the same requirements as most 34-inch gaming monitors on the market right now, including premium OLEDs. But its physical size is massive, almost double the total screen space of a 34-inch ultrawide monitor. You actually get more physical screen space than 49-inch, super-mega-ultrawides, which stretch the screen out to a wider 5120×1440 resolution (double QHD) and a 32:9 aspect ratio. Generally more pixels is better… unless you’re trying to hit high game framerates on anything less than a top-of-the-line machine. So PC gamers who want a big, beautiful picture without sacrificing performance might find this LG monitor right up their alley. The 45GS95QE includes lots of other premium features, including support for Nvidia G-Sync, AMD FreeSync, and HDR-10. It’s using a dramatic 800R curve on the panel, which makes it more immersive for gaming and video (and perhaps less ideal for regular office-style work, depending on your setup). The only downer on the spec list is USB-C, or rather, the lack thereof. The only data expansion in the monitor is a pair of USB-A ports, making this an awkward companion for laptops, which will need to use HDMI or DisplayPort. This monitor can be used with a standard VESA mount, but if you want to add a monitor arm, make sure it’s reinforced. The screen without its stand weighs 19.6 pounds or 8.9 kilograms. If you’re looking for something else, be sure to check out PCWorld’s roundup of the best gaming monitors. Get a 45-inch LG OLED ultrawide gaming monitor for $999.99View Deal Read...

Any time you leave your home to go out and about for a while, it’s always a good idea to have a power bank with you, whether in your bag or backpack or even your pocket. Yes, a tiny little power bank is better than nothing, like this compact Anker Nano power bank. You can now get it for just $46 on Amazon and it has several features that you’ll love. View this Amazon deal This power bank only has a 10,000mAh capacity, which might be on the lower side but is still more than enough to charge your smartphone about two times over (give or take depending on your model). For a day trip or several hours running errands, that should suffice with plenty to spare. And with its 45-watt high-speed charging capabilities, you’ll be able to keep your devices charged without waiting too long. The best feature of this power bank, however, is the retractable USB-C cable that pulls out to a maximum length of 2.3 feet. Not having to carry around a separate charging cable makes it all worthwhile! And the fact that it’s retractable means it stays compact and portable for maximum convenience. But it also has USB-C and USB-A ports that you can use to charge a second and third device at the same time. Get this Anker Nano 10K power bank for $46 before this hot deal expires because this one is worth every penny! Save 23% on this travel-friendly power bank with retractable USB-C cableBuy now at Amazon Read...

Windows 11 is increasingly evolving from a classic operating system to an AI-centric platform. Microsoft is integrating Copilot not as a standalone application, but as a permanent system function. For private users, however, it is not so much the strategic orientation that is decisive as the concrete added value in everyday life. This is precisely where a conflict arises between genuinely helpful functions, technical overload, and limited user acceptance to date. We have already provided an overview of the topic of AI in Windows 11 and the new functions in a separate article. Getting started, visibility, and control in the system Copilot starts directly from Windows. On supported systems, the assistant opens using the key combination Windows + C or via the icon in the taskbar. Copilot can be activated or hidden in the settings under “Personalization” and “Taskbar.” New AI PCs and AI laptops also have a physical Copilot button on the keyboard. This button is only available on AI devices with the appropriate hardware. Classic Windows 11 computers do not have it. The button makes for access easier, but does not add any functional value compared to the keyboard shortcut. The button lowers the barrier to entry, but does not replace understanding or meaningful use. Michael Crider / Foundry Copilot as an everyday tool In everyday use, Copilot primarily assists with tasks that can be described in language. Content can be summarized, texts can be roughly formulated, and longer web pages can be reduced to key messages. Explanations of Windows settings or programs can also be provided quickly. The benefit arises when you use Copilot as preliminary work. Results need to be checked, adjusted, and put into context. Copilot does not replace research and your own evaluation. Analyze files without opening them Windows 11 integrates Copilot in several places in File Explorer. A new option allows you to transfer Office files directly to Microsoft 365 Copilot to obtain summaries or content analyses. However, you need a corresponding subscription to do this. There is a similar function in the right-click menu. Both look the same but work differently. It is precisely this dual integration that causes confusion. Users often do not recognize which Copilot is active. The benefits are real, but the operation remains confusing. Those who don’t know the difference will get different results than expected. Some practice is required here. Microsoft itself obviously doesn’t yet know exactly how and where AI should be integrated into the operating system. That’s why development is dynamic: New features are added, while others are dropped. Microsoft System-wide writing assistant A universal writing assistant is now available in more and more text input fields. It corrects grammar, adjusts style, and shortens texts. This can save a noticeable amount of time for short answers, comments or forms. However, this feature requires a Copilot PC with an integrated NPU, which means that many personal computers are not compatible. In addition, the suggestions are often very neutral and standardized. Without manual editing, the texts can therefore quickly appear interchangeable. Those interested should carefully examine the assistant’s capabilities, for example directly in Notepad. It should be noted that a subscription to Microsoft 365 or even Microsoft 365 Copilot is sometimes required. In such cases, the system will indicate this accordingly. Voice input and voice mode Copilot supports voice input and tests activation via voice command. This works well in quiet living environments. In multi-person households or in the evening, voice input remains impractical. Many users still prefer text input. Microsoft is responding to this with parallel text interaction. The vision of a talking PC does not fit into everyone’s everyday life. Foundry AI PCs, NPUs, and local processing AI PCs have a neural processing unit (NPU) that processes selected AI tasks locally. These include live subtitles, studio effects for cameras, and simple classifications. These functions are energy-efficient and do not require a cloud connection. However, many Copilot functions still rely on online services. For private users, the practical difference is therefore less than the marketing suggests. The NPU primarily improves battery life and local effects — but not automatically the quality of Copilot responses. Recall as an example of overambitious features Recall stores screen snapshots to find past content via voice. Recall remains optional and requires active consent, device encryption and Windows Hello login. In practice, the picture is mixed. The quality of the hits remains unreliable. Many users disable Recall for privacy reasons or because of its limited usefulness. Recall clearly shows that technical feasibility does not guarantee everyday value. Microsoft AI agents and new system architecture Windows 11 is currently testing AI agents that perform tasks independently in the background and display their progress directly in the taskbar. One example is a research agent that creates comprehensive evaluations and displays the current status transparently. For private users, this approach theoretically promises additional convenience. At the same time, however, skepticism is growing: Autonomous actions in the file system require a high degree of trust. Microsoft is addressing these concerns with isolated workspaces, explicit approvals, and clear handover mechanisms. Nevertheless, the technology remains a preview feature with correspondingly limited acceptance. Agent Launchers, MCP, and On-Device Registry Windows registers AI agents system-wide with Agent Launchers. These can be launched via Ask Copilot, the taskbar, or the search function. An on-device registry manages capabilities and access rights locally. The Model Context Protocol enables collaboration between agents and tools. For private users, this means more automation in the future, but also more complexity. More entry points increase the learning curve and the risk of overload. Ask Copilot as a replacement for search In new insider versions of Windows 11, Microsoft is testing replacing the classic search with “Ask Copilot.” Files, settings, and apps can then be found using natural language. This works reliably for general queries. For precise file paths or known names, the classic search is often faster. Many users switch depending on the situation. A complete replacement seems unrealistic in the short term. Microsoft Accessibility and side effects AI functions are also reaching classic system areas. The screen reader receives customizable output via natural language. Voice Access simplifies setup. These functions offer real added value, regardless of the AI hype. They show that AI is convincing when it solves specific problems. These functions are being rolled out gradually and are partly reserved for AI PCs with NPUs. Low usage despite maximum presence Despite massive integration, many users rarely use Copilot. Microsoft has already reduced its sales targets for AI. Many users feel that AI in the operating system is imposed on them and is not yet optimally integrated. Creative results are difficult to reproduce. Users often continue to use AI via browsers because they can work more specifically there. The physical Copilot button increases visibility but does not generate acceptance. Hardware constraints and acceptance issues A large proportion of existing PCs do not meet the requirements for AI functions in Windows 11. Many users feel that the switch is being forced upon them. AI notebooks cost significantly more. At the same time, the practical added value of AI functions remains limited. This explains the reluctance to switch, despite the expiry of support for Windows 10. Sam Singleton Practical recommendations for private users Use Copilot selectively: Summaries, short explanations, and text drafts can save you a lot of time. However, always check the results yourself and deactivate functions that do not offer you any added value. Windows 11 remains fully functional even without active AI use. The Copilot button on AI notebooks simply makes access easier — it does not oblige you to do anything. Windows 11 is increasingly evolving into an agent-enabled system. Further AI functions, greater automation, and higher visibility are foreseeable. For users, it is not the sheer number of functions that counts, but their reliability in everyday use. In the short term, Copilot remains a tool for selected scenarios. In the long term, it remains to be seen whether Microsoft will turn mere presence into actual relevance. Microsoft Copilot enhances Windows 11, but it does not replace independent thinking. The greatest benefit comes from conscious, selective use. Many features still seem experimental, some even overly ambitious. Private users would be well advised to view Copilot as an option rather than an obligation. This way, the ubiquitous AI becomes a tool that provides support at the right moment — and otherwise remains discreetly in the background. Read...

Sonos’s first new product since 2024’s Arc Ultra soundbar has finally arrived, but it’s not something you’ll ever find in Best Buy.  Slated to arrive “soon,” the Sonos Amp Multi is like a super-changed version of the Sonos Amp, a wireless device that lets you connect traditional home audio components like turntables, wired speakers, and other devices to your Sonos setup.  While the $800 Sonos Amp can only handle a single zone of audio, the 8-channel Amp Multi can juggle up to four zones, and it also boasts pro-level room calibration technology plus a 2U rack mount for installation in an A/V closet.  No question, the “bespoke” Amp Multi is a serious piece of hardware—so serious that it’s intended only for the professional installer market. Indeed, the usual “buy now” button on the Sonos website has been replaced by a “find an installer” button.  Sonos Even if the Sonos Amp Multi isn’t for you, the arrival of the new—and very much “audio-first” — device signals that Sonos may be back on track after 15 months of turmoil.  The last big hardware release for Sonos was in October 2024, when the Arc Ultra arrived. A follow-up to the Sonos Arc, the newer soundbar packs 14 drivers, 9.1.4 channels of audio, and a special ingredient dubbed Sound Motion, a component that allows the Arc Ultra to deliver impressive low-frequency performance without a separate subwoofer.  The Arc Ultra received warm reviews, in stark contrast to the drubbing Sonos endure following the disastrous reception to the revamped Sonos app in mid 2024, a debacle that left the company reeling and spurred the resignation of its longtime CEO Patrick Spense.  Riddled with bugs and bereft of such basic features as an editable music queue or support for local music sources, the redesigned Sonos app was greeted with near universal derision, with longtime Sonos users threatening to bail on the once-acclaimed wireless speaker platform.  At the same time, Sonos launched the Ace, and pair of wireless headphones that could connect directly to Sonos soundbars but lacked Wi-Fi support, a feature that many eager Sonos fans had expected to ship with the cans. Reviews were middling, and sales figures were said to be disappointing.  The sinking Sonos ship slowly began to right itself with the arrival of interim—and now permanent—CEO Tom Conrad, who oversaw the much needed revisions to the new Sonos app while reportedly shooting down what could have been yet another debacle for the company: a rumored $400 streaming video player that would have potentially seen Sonos jumping into an unfamilar and oversaturated market with a wildly overpriced device.  Instead, the Amp Multi shows Sonos returning to its roots as an audio-first wireless speaker company. Hopefully Sonos’s next product—made for everyday consumers, one would hope—will follow the same path.  This news story is part of TechHive’s in-depth coverage of the best smart speakers. Read...

Meta is considering new paid subscription models for Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp, reports TechCrunch. Citing a spokesperson for the company, the goal here is to offer paying users additional features and advanced AI tools. The basic versions of these services, however, will remain free of charge. In practical terms, this means no one will be “forced” to pay to continue using Instagram, Facebook, or WhatsApp. The subscriptions are for users who want to unlock extra features. Meta has previously experimented with alternative monetization models for WhatsApp, giving users a choice between paying money or accepting advertisements. A “premium” experience for a fee According to TechCrunch, Meta is talking about a “premium experience” that will include exclusive features that offer more control over content, interactions, and new creative possibilities, among other things. It’s still unclear which specific features will be subject to fees. Meta wants to test different models and incorporate user feedback into their design. These paid subscriptions could vary significantly depending on the platform. For Instagram and Facebook, additional features related to content, reach, or analysis are conceivable. As things stand at present, WhatsApp is primarily concerned with supplementary offers and not the basic use of the messenger service. AI features are in the spotlight AI-driven features are likely to be a central component of the planned paid subscriptions. Meta has been investing heavily in artificial intelligence for years and continues to provide its own large language models free of charge with the Llama series. Unlike competitors (e.g., OpenAI and Google), Meta has not yet introduced a comprehensive AI subscription for end users. These new subscription plans could change that. Paid add-on features for creating, editing, or optimizing content are conceivable. This includes the AI-powered short video platform Vibes, which allows users to generate and edit videos. The basic version will remain free while advanced features could end up behind a paywall. Note: The planned paid subscriptions are separate from Meta Verified, which is a different payment model that’s been in place since 2023 and is primarily aimed at creators who want a verification badge, extended support, and protection against identity theft. The new paid subscriptions are intended to appeal to a broader target group and unlock additional other features. What does this mean for you? In the short term, little will change. Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp will continue to be free to use. In the long term, however, users may be faced with the choice of paying up for additional features and AI extras or sticking with a barebones version for free. One thing is clear: Meta is looking for new revenue sources beyond advertising, with increasing focus on paid add-ons. Meta has not yet announced how expensive these plans will be. Read...