Search results for 'Features' - Page: 8
| PC World - 17 Sep (PC World)Today, Microsoft is announcing “Wave 2” of its Microsoft 365 Copilot AI innovation, which is geared towards users who are paying for a Microsoft 365 Copilot Pro subscription. But one feature, known as Pages, may be available to business customers who use Copilot without a subscription.
The subtext of Pages — and the overall theme of the new Copilot wave in general — is that Copilot’s AI contributions matter.
Normally, any advice provided by Copilot remains within Copilot and only for a short time. Microsoft characterizes Copilot’s output as “ephemeral,” signifying something that eventually passes over.
But the new Pages feature treats Copilot’s insights as equal to something that you or your coworkers themselves might have authored, saving Copilot’s output on a “page” to be worked on with your colleagues.
Here’s what Copilot Pages looks like.
Here’s what Copilot Pages looks like.Microsoft
Here’s what Copilot Pages looks like.Microsoft
Microsoft
Pages will initially be available to users who subscribe to Microsoft 365 and have a Microsoft 365 Copilot Pro subscription, which is a $20-per-month add-on. But in the coming weeks, Pages will also be added to Entra accounts. (Entra is Microsoft’s corporate identity solution, which your employer may or may not use.) Entra accounts won’t require a Copilot for Microsoft 365 subscription to use Pages.
The goal, of course, is to sell more of these Copilot for Microsoft 365 subscriptions. But Microsoft is also trying to make Copilot itself stickier and more appealing. The company cited customer testimonials that say Copilot saved them several hours per week.
Microsoft is also adding additional features to its Microsoft 365 apps, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
Copilot in Excel: Copilot in Excel is now generally available. The key addition is Copilot in Excel with Python, which means you’ll be able to “write” Python functions for Excel using a Copilot prompt. Copilot for Excel now also supports XLOOKUP and SUMIF, conditional formatting, and the ability to iterate with Copilot on visualizations like charts and PivotTables, Microsoft said.
Microsoft’s Excel is gaining Python capabilities, combined with Copilot.
Microsoft’s Excel is gaining Python capabilities, combined with Copilot.Microsoft
Microsoft’s Excel is gaining Python capabilities, combined with Copilot.Microsoft
Microsoft
Copilot in PowerPoint: Narrative Builder is the latest feature within Copilot for PowerPoint, helping to come up with a “draft” presentation and then refine it until you’re satisfied with your product. Soon Copilot will also be able to add images from your SharePoint library and create approved branded presentations.
Copilot in Teams: Later this month, Copilot will be able to summarize both Teams meetings and related chats in meetings, so that the official stuff and the backchannel explanations are summed up.
Copilot in Outlook: Although Outlook already has Focused Inbox, a new Prioritize My Inbox feature will pull out your most important emails based on the contents of emails and relationships of senders to you. A summary email sums up those emails and explains why they’re important.
Prioritize My Inbox inside Copilot for Outlook.
Prioritize My Inbox inside Copilot for Outlook.Microsoft
Prioritize My Inbox inside Copilot for Outlook.Microsoft
Microsoft
Copilot in Word: “Coming later this month, Copilot in Word will enable you to quickly reference not only web data and work data like Word, PowerPoint, PDFs, and encrypted documents, but also emails and meetings,” Microsoft said. Microsoft recently added suggested prompts, which are generally available.
Copilot in OneDrive: Later this month, Copilot for OneDrive will allow you to compare up to five files and provide “insights” into the others.
Hate PowerPoint? Copilot might help you bang out a quick presentation.
Hate PowerPoint? Copilot might help you bang out a quick presentation.Microsoft
Hate PowerPoint? Copilot might help you bang out a quick presentation.Microsoft
Microsoft
Microsoft is also announcing Agent Builder, the ability to create agents with Copilot Studio. These agents, now available, can automate business processes, ranging from simple prompt-and-response agents to “more advanced, fully autonomous agents,” said Microsoft.
One of the example agents is a Visual Creator agent, which creates AI images, designs, and soon videos.
Further reading: What can Copilot Pro really do? Read...Newslink ©2024 to PC World | |
| | | PC World - 17 Sep (PC World)Long ago, it used to be possible to share your grouped tabs from Android’s Chrome app with others. That feature, which was removed for whatever reasons, is now making a comeback in improved form.
Earlier this week, Google announced that its Chrome browser would be getting some new features, and one of them is the ability to share your grouped tabs between your various devices.
For example, you could create a tab group on your phone while commuting home, then open that same tab group on your desktop PC once you’ve settled down at home. Conversely, you can have a tab group on your laptop that’s also accessible on your phone while on the go.
This whole feature is automated as it keeps your tab groups in sync across your various devices. You’ll have to be logged into your Google account with sync enabled on all the devices you want it to work across.
Google also announced that it would be easier to continue browsing where you last left the browser. If you have a tab open in your browser and then switch devices, Chrome on the new device will suggest that you continue on with the same tab.
It’s a small but nifty feature that shouldn’t be overshadowed by Google’s current push to incorporate AI-powered features to Chrome.
Further reading: Chrome tips that make browsing easier and faster Read...Newslink ©2024 to PC World | |
| | | PC World - 17 Sep (PC World)Gone are the days of circling through the same old cable TV channels or blocking out your schedule on weeknights just so you can catch your favorite show. Now, streaming services and smart TVs have all of the content you could ever want at your fingertips at all times.
Unfortunately, the era of on-demand content comes with a few drawbacks. Streaming services put region locks on certain content, third parties track and sell data about your viewing habits, and internet service providers (ISPs) have the ability to throttle your internet speeds. Thankfully, using a VPN on your smart TV can help overcome these issues with the added benefit of more privacy and security. In this article I’ll discuss why you should be using a VPN with your smart TV and how to set one up properly.
If you’re on the hunt for a great VPN for your smart TV, look no further than any of the excellent services in my roundup of best VPNs for Netflix or my overall list of best VPNs for even more choices.
A VPN can help you get around region-locked content
While the amount of content you can stream online might seem endless, you’d be surprised to learn that even more is hidden behind region locks. Streaming services, due to copyright and distribution restrictions, are not always able to provide content to all viewers in all countries.
By connecting to a UK server with my VPN, I was able to stream Ghibli movies even though they aren’t available with US Netflix.
By connecting to a UK server with my VPN, I was able to stream Ghibli movies even though they aren’t available with US Netflix.
Sam Singleton
By connecting to a UK server with my VPN, I was able to stream Ghibli movies even though they aren’t available with US Netflix.
Sam Singleton
Sam Singleton
If you’re a Netflix user in the U.S., for example, and want to watch Studio Ghibli movies — I commend you on your excellent choice in cinema — you’re out of luck. But UK Netflix users can watch them anytime they want. Streaming services determine the content available based on the location of the IP address that you use to access the site or app.
The simple and elegant solution to get around these region locks is a VPN. By installing a VPN service on your smart TV and then connecting to a server in the country with the content you want to watch, you’ll essentially trick the service into thinking you’re actually located in that country. Consider that Miyazaki-itch scratched.
A VPN keeps your streaming activity private
Smart TVs and streaming services are certainly convenient, but they are also notorious for collecting and selling your viewing data to third parties. This can result in obnoxious targeted ads on your device or even more nefarious social engineering activities. Even your own ISP may be monitoring and selling your data without you being aware.
When you connect to a VPN, all of your traffic is rerouted through a private, encrypted tunnel. This means that all of online activity while connected is hidden from your ISP and anonymized for any third parties — sayonara, targeted ads. This also works on your smart TV, which won’t be able to connect your VPN traffic with your viewing activity. Don’t worry though, this doesn’t mean that you’ll lose your carefully curated Netflix recommendations. Since you still need to log into the streaming service under your account, the algorithm will still know what your preferences are.
A VPN may increase your smart TV’s connection speeds
Throttling, or the intentional slowing down of a user’s internet can make streaming content extremely frustrating. You might not be aware of it, but ISPs often include a throttling clause in the fine print of your internet contract. The conditions that lead to throttling differ by company, but they usually occur as a result of downloading restricted content (e.g. torrenting copyrighted material) or in order to limit the total amount of bandwidth/data consumed from specific sites.
ISPs have been known to throttle connections that are using streaming services such as Netflix, forcing you to watch your content in lower resolutions. Since a VPN prevents your ISP or cell carrier from viewing your traffic, it will allow you to get around these types of site-specific restrictions.
Just to be clear, a VPN will hide your traffic from your ISP, but your ISP will still be able to see total data consumption — just not the specifics of what you’re consuming. So if your ISP is throttling your internet speeds because you have reached a certain limit, such as a monthly data cap, then VPN or no, you’ll still experience slower speeds.
How to set up a VPN on your smart TV
1. Check VPN compatibility with your smart TV
While most smart TVs support VPN apps nowadays, it’s always best to check. Both Amazon Fire TV and Android TVs offer the widest compatibility. Platforms such as Apple TV and Roku may have fewer options to choose from, but more and more VPN providers are offering apps for these products as well.
If you’re ever unsure, you can always go to the VPN provider’s website and check to see if their app is available for your specific smart TV’s OS.
2. Choose a VPN to use
My top VPN for Streaming
NordVPN
Read our review
Next you’ll want to decide on a VPN provider to go with. NordVPN is my preferred option for streaming, but I also highly recommend any on my list of top VPNs for Netflix. Each has been thoroughly tested for streaming compatibility and all of the services support the most common smart TV operating systems.
It may be tempting to opt for a free VPN, but it’s probably best to skip them. Premium services offer much better overall speed and security, plus they come with handy extra features to boost your streaming experience.
3. Download and install the VPN app
Once you settle on the VPN you want to use, open up the app store on your smart TV and search for the VPN app. Then follow the instructions to download and install it on your TV. When the installation finishes, you should be able to find the VPN located on the app page of your device.
4. Connect to the VPN
After setup, locate and open the VPN app. Next, choose a server to connect to in the country you want and click “connect.” It may take a few seconds to establish a connection.
Once connected, your traffic will be hidden and encrypted and your location will appear as the country you selected.
5. Confirm the VPN is working
The last step is to load up a streaming service such as Netflix and check to see if your VPN is working correctly. If you connect to a server in a different country you should notice that the library of content on the streaming service will look different. Alternatively, if you are trying to access a service from outside the country (i.e. you’re abroad and want to watch a service such as HBO Max), then once connected you should see that the service is available to use.
If you’re still having issues connecting to the streaming service, double-check that your VPN is actually connected — it should show “Connected” in green or the toggle switch should be set to “on.” Sometimes you’ll also need to log out and close the streaming application completely and then log back in to refresh the app with your new IP address. Happy streaming! Read...Newslink ©2024 to PC World | |
| | | PC World - 16 Sep (PC World)There’s nothing more heart-stopping than frantically searching for the nearest outlet while your laptop verges on dying. Want to avoid such panic-inducing scenarios? You’re going to need a long-lasting laptop with lots of juicy battery life.
That’s where we come in. We’ve personally tested over 80 laptops so far this year (as of this writing) and many more over the past decade. I can point you to the ones that have the best battery life, period. Here are the five laptops we tested with the longest battery life.
How PCWorld tests battery life:
When it comes to testing battery life for laptops, we loop a 4K file of a short film on screen until the laptop dies. We set the brightness level to 250 to 260 nits, unplug all USB drives, disable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and plug in a pair of earbuds. We run this test twice per laptop to ensure consistent results.
1. Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 (24 hours)
Pros
Remarkable battery life
A great array of ports
Sturdy, lightweight design
High visibility display
Cons
Variable performance trails competitors
A bit pricier than the competition
The Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 has a 58 watt-hour battery that keeps going, lasting just shy of 24 hours on a single charge (!!!). Excuse me while I pick my jaw up off the floor.
It pummels other laptops with similar hardware like the Asus Vivobook S 15 (which manages a feeble 15 hours of battery life by comparison), and its performance is bolstered by its inclusion of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite X1E-78-100 processor, which is quite power-efficient.
We believe the low-power screen plays a part in this laptop’s runtime, as the battery itself isn’t very big. The 14-inch display has a 1920×1200 resolution and a 60Hz refresh rate, so it’s not very demanding, either. The Vivobook, on the other hand, has a higher resolution OLED display at 2880×1620, which likely impacts the battery life. (OLED displays achieve better contrast and color accuracy, but they can negatively impact battery life, especially when displaying bright content.)
All in all, it isn’t the fastest or flashiest system, but the Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 is efficient at a level we haven’t seen elsewhere. It’s an all-around strong machine for general productivity on the go and proves tough to beat on that front.
Read our full
Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 review
2. Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge (21 hours)
Pros
Very thin and light for a 16-inch laptop
Long battery life
Beautiful OLED display
Highest-end Snapdragon X Elite hardware available
Cons
No facial recognition login
eUFS storage is soldered to the motherboard
Limited to 16GB of RAM
Expensive compared to other Snapdragon-powered laptops
The top-end Snapdragon X Elite hardware isn`t much faster
The Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge has a 61.8 watt-hour battery that died at the 21-hour mark. It’s not the 24-hour result we saw with the Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6, but 21 hours is nothing to sneeze at, especially for a 16-inch laptop with an OLED screen.
You’d think the Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge’s 16-inch 2880×1800 OLED would be a drain on the battery, but we believe the long battery life is a direct result of the power-efficient Snapdragon X Elite X1E-84-100 processor. This CPU is a step up from the Snapdragon X Elite X1E-78-100 that’s inside the Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 6, and this higher-tier processor offers better performance for slightly shorter battery life.
Plus, based on our testing, laptops with Intel Core or AMD processors tend to have shorter battery life than those with Snapdragon processors, which are designed to be more power-efficient.
All in all, the Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge is an excellent Snapdragon X Elite-powered PC with a beautiful display, long battery life, and great build quality. But you’re paying extra for the high-end Snapdragon X Elite hardware on the 16-inch model, and it doesn’t deliver the big performance bump you might expect.
Read our full
Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge review
3. Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 (20 hours)
Pros
Attractive, slim, and light
Class-leading battery life
Excellent wireless connectivity via Wi-Fi 7
Good performance in real-world situations
Cons
Vague keyboard falls short of competitors
IPS touchscreen`s image quality can`t compare to OLED
Gaming performance doesn`t hold up
Best Prices Today:
$987.85 at Amazon$999.99 at Best Buy
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 is another Snapdragon-equipped machine with spectacular battery life: 20 hours, to be exact.
This result is especially impressive because the battery size is only 54 watt-hours, which is small compared to other laptops of its class (like the 84 watt-hour battery in the Dell Inspiron 16 2-in-1). You can thank the power-efficient Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite processor for that. In addition, this laptop also weighs just under 3 pounds, making it a super travel-friendly option if you’re always on the go.
All in all, the Microsoft Surface Laptop 7’s strong processor performance and top-tier battery life prove that Windows’ transition to Arm has staying power, but even the most casual gamers should think twice because gaming on a Snapdragon laptop has its problems.
Note that while we specifically reviewed the $1,999.99 version — a bit pricey for some folks, I know — you can get the base configuration for a much more affordable $999.99.
Read our full
Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 (13.8?) review
4. HP OmniBook X (18 hours)
Pros
Long battery life
Slim and lightweight
Decent keyboard and trackpad
Cons
Dim and glossy display can be hard to see
Priced too close to better PCs
Outperformed on many fronts
The HP OmniBook X boasts the same CPU (Snapdragon X Elite X1E-78-100) that’s inside the Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6, but it only manages 18 hours. That’s still a fantastic result, don’t get me wrong, but it does fall several hours short of the Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6.
That’s likely because of the HP OmniBook X’s 14-inch 2240×1400 touchscreen, a higher-resolution display that consumes more power. According to our review, during day-to-day use it lost “just 9 percent of charge per hour.” Battery life aside, the HP OmniBook X offers reliable performance as well as a robust build.
All in all, the HP OmniBook X is an effective laptop and makes decent use of its Snapdragon processor to run for hours on end, but it doesn’t set itself apart as it skimps in other areas.
Read our full
HP OmniBook X review
5. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 (17 hours)
Pros
ThinkPad build quality
Good battery life
360-degree hinge with a pen and touchscreen
Cons
Expensive
Long battery life comes at the cost of performance
Slow integrated graphics
Won`t run Copilot+ PC features
Qualcomm’s Snapdragon processors reign supreme on this list, which is why the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 is a notable inclusion: it’s the longest battery life laptop with an Intel processor (so far).
Granted, much like the Snapdragon processor, the Intel Core Ultra 7 155U is also designed with power efficiency in mind. However, the 17-hour battery life definitely stands out, and it’s rooted in its combination of power-efficient processor and lower-resolution display.
The laptop’s 14-inch 1920×1200 IPS touchscreen isn’t all that demanding, and that’s what allows this laptop to beat out the 10.5-hour battery life of the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon, which has the same processor but a higher-resolution OLED display (2880×1800).
All in all, the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 is a quality laptop with a robust build, a nice pen, and serious battery life. But if you’re thinking of buying one, you may want to wait for the upcoming next-gen model that’s going to be powered by Intel’s Lunar Lake hardware.
Read our full
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 review
Further reading: Our top picks for laptops in every category Read...Newslink ©2024 to PC World | |
| | | Stuff.co.nz - 14 Sep (Stuff.co.nz)Organisers preparing for the annual Timaru carnival say there will also be a new fairground attraction and a revamped entertainment area. Read...Newslink ©2024 to Stuff.co.nz | |
| | | PC World - 14 Sep (PC World)Elgato has now launched its largest Stream Deck yet, the Elgato Stream Deck Studio. The live streaming tool features a whopping 32 programmable LCD buttons in two rows as well as a pair of rotary dials. This compares to Elgato’s original Stream Deck, which has 15 buttons. The Deck Studio, however, is intended specifically for professional users and traditional studio broadcasters.
The Elgato Stream Deck Studio measures almost half a meter in length and connects with a single USB-C input on the front. There are also two more USB-C ports on the back, one of which offers connection to a PC and another can be used to power the device instead of the Stream Deck Studio’s 25W Ethernet connection. It’s also possible to connect several Elgato Stream Deck Studios to each other.
It’s currently priced at $899.99 and is available to purchase today. Read...Newslink ©2024 to PC World | |
| | | PC World - 14 Sep (PC World)At a glanceExpert`s Rating
ProsFantastic 4K captures front and rear, day and nightCrisp display and efficient phone appIntegrated GPSAffordable for the quality of its capturesConsRear camera isn’t detachable from its sticky mountOur VerdictIf you want the best captures — front and rear, day and night — then look no further than Miofive’s surprisingly affordable S1 Ultra. If only the app didn’t insist on you providing your phone number.
Best Prices Today: Miofive S1 Ultra Dash Cam
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$199.99
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I’ve reviewed a number of 4K dash cams, but Miofive’s S1 Ultra is the first I’ve tested that supports 4K rear captures. However, 4K means squat without quality optics and processing.
Apparently Miofive understands that only too well — the S1’s captures are absolutely outstanding: front and rear, day or night. They don’t cost you an arm and a leg either. My only complaint is that the app is intrusive, though it’s not necessary to use the dash cam.
Further reading: See our roundup of the best dash cams to learn about competing products.
What are the Miofive S1 Ultra’s features?
The S1 Ultra is a dual-channel, front/rear dash cam system featuring 2160p video from both cameras, though the rear camera defaults to 1440p. The front camera’s field of view is 140 degrees and the rear camera’s FOV is 115 degrees.
The unpowered S1 Ultra’s display and rear camera.
The unpowered S1 Ultra’s display and rear camera.
The unpowered S1 Ultra’s display and rear camera.
Outwardly, the S1 Ultra is rather unimpressive. It’s your standard black rectangle (around 3.5-inches wide, 1.5-inches deep, and 2-inches tall) with a 2.5-inch, 480p display and buttons alongside the display to navigate the menu system.
Miofive was mum on the sensors it uses, but whatever brand they are, they and whatever processing is involved, produce excellent results. GPS is integrated as are both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi for phone connectivity. There’s of course an app.
The app makes it appear as if you need to log on to a Miofive account, which requires you to enter a phone number. You do not have to participate if you do not wish. The app will still connect to the camera. Listening 70Mai?
There’s also a TF card slot (class 10 is recommended), as well as ports for the power and rear camera. What is impressive is the 5 ounce heft, which gives the unit a more substantial feel than many. Put simply, it doesn’t feel cheap.
The front camera is easily removable from its semi-permanent adhesive base and draws power via an auxiliary adapter using a Type-A to Type-C (on the camera end) cable. A long mini-8-pin to mini-8-pin cable connects to the rear camera, which also mounts using semi-permanent adhesive, but isn’t removable. Regardless, it withstood being squashed with the top down on my convertible for a long drive to California’s Central Valley.
The Miofive app connected to the S1 Ultra.
The Miofive app connected to the S1 Ultra.
The Miofive app connected to the S1 Ultra.
The S1 Ultra uses a supercapacitor rather than a battery, but it’s a rather hefty one. It runs the camera for 2 to 3 seconds after losing power. Long enough for the digital lady to tell you that constant power has been disconnected. She also informs you that “Miofive is here for you” at power up, and will scold or warn about various things (bad driver alerts — though thankfully, not collision or lane departure).
How much does the Miofive S1 Ultra cost?
At the time of this writing, the S1 Ultra was selling for just under $200. That’s not dirt cheap, but considering the quality of its captures, money well spent. Front/rear dash cam systems start at around $120, but I’ve yet to see anything approaching that cheap with the capture quality of the S1 Ultra. Even the mighty Cobra SC 400D can’t match that.
Miofive warranties the S1 Ultra for 18 months, which is a long time by dash cam industry standards. Remember that dash cams are perpetually exposed to direct sunlight, which creates a lot of heat, which is the bane of all electronics.
How are the Miofive S1 Ultra’s captures?
I already let the cat out of the bag on this one. The captures are most excellent, so much so that I’m not surprised that Miofive doesn’t want to discuss the components involved. The color is accurate, exposure seems right on no matter the lighting conditions, headlight flare is handled very well, and the detail is absolutely outstanding. There were no motion defects to speak of either.
Most unusually, the night captures are on par with the day captures. Nearly all the dash cams I’ve tested work well during the day, but very few shine at night, so to speak.
By default the S1 Ultra is set to 2160p in the front, but only 1440p in the rear. My policy is to use the default setting. You can up the resolution in the back if you wish, but I don’t really see the need given the already high-quality of the captures. Also, 2160p uses approximately 230MBps (h.265) while 1440p uses only 130MBps. The S1 Ultra will accept up to 512GB cards — I suggest you get the largest you can afford.
Note that the Miofive S1 Ultra didn’t set the time correctly via GPS (it was Eastern Time) though the settings seemed to indicate it would. I forgot to set it myself, which is why the times shown in the following images are all off. Subtract three hours (and a day if necessary) for the true date/time and lighting conditions.
The front day capture shown below is crisp, detailed, and sports accurate color. Note that the license plates are readable even to the side at a severe angle. Sweet.
The color is accurate, exposure seems right on no matter the lighting conditions, headlight flare is handled very well, and the detail is absolutely outstanding.
This front day capture is crisp, detailed, and has accurate colors.
This front day capture is crisp, detailed, and has accurate colors.
This front day capture is crisp, detailed, and has accurate colors.
The front night capture shown below has an extraordinary amount of detail given the low light condition. Headlight flare is also handled fantastically
This front night capture shows an extraordinary amount of detail given the low light conditions. Headlight flare is also handled fantastically
This front night capture shows an extraordinary amount of detail given the low light conditions. Headlight flare is also handled fantastically
This front night capture shows an extraordinary amount of detail given the low light conditions. Headlight flare is also handled fantastically
While only 1440p, this rear day capture shows a great amount of detail. You can increase it even further (with more storage used) by selecting 2160p.
While only 1440p, this rear day capture shows a great amount of detail. You can increase it even further by using 2160p.
While only 1440p, this rear day capture shows a great amount of detail. You can increase it even further by using 2160p.
While only 1440p, this rear day capture shows a great amount of detail. You can increase it even further by using 2160p.
You can still easily read the numbers on the license plate of the truck in this rear night capture. This, kids, is real-deal rear capture.
You can still easily read the numbers on the license in this rear night capture.
You can still easily read the numbers on the license in this rear night capture.
You can still easily read the numbers on the license in this rear night capture.
Because I didn’t want to leave you hanging on the rear 4K, here’s the rear view at that resolution. There’s more detail, but it’s not light years better than the 1440p.
Simply because I didn’t want to leave you hanging on the rear 4K, here’s the rear view in that resolution.
Simply because I didn’t want to leave you hanging on the rear 4K, here’s the rear view in that resolution.
Simply because I didn’t want to leave you hanging on the rear 4K, here’s the rear view in that resolution.
The S1 Ultra ran a bit warm to the touch. Enough that Miofive might want to add more ventilation louvers to any upcoming revisions. As to the aforementioned supercapacitor, Miofive claims a 2-second run time, but I saw quite a bit more than that, perhaps 5 seconds, on those occasions I was using the app and the unit wasn’t recording.
I can’t remember the last time I had no complaints whatsoever about a dash cam’s captures. That might actually be never. Excellent job by the Miofive designer guys and gals.
Should you buy the Miofive S1 Ultra?
If you want the best captures possible, then Miofive’s S1 Ultra should be on a short list. A short list with only one item on it. Kudos to Miofive for raising the capture-quality bar and doing so for a very reasonable price. Read...Newslink ©2024 to PC World | |
| | | PC World - 14 Sep (PC World)Asus ROG Chariot XExpert`s Rating
ProsHigh-quality workmanshipStable backrest with rocker mechanismLong seatHeight-adjustable neck cushionIndividually adjustable armrestsChic look with RGB and light racing lookConsLumbar cushion is too flat and can slipRed straps on the back detract from the lookNo power supply unit for charging the RGB lighting, but a power-bank bag with mini cableErgonomics are not optimalOur VerdictThe Asus ROG Chariot X is a high-quality gaming chair that scores highly in many categories. It has an extremely high-quality finish, offers a comfortable seating experience, and plenty of space for active sitting. It just doesn’t have great ergonomics for longs periods of sitting.
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Hardware manufacturer Asus not only offers hardware under its own gaming brand Asus ROG, but also gaming chairs. This year saw the launch of a new premium model based on the predecessor Asus ROG Chariot.
The new Asus ROG Chariot X gaming chair not only aims to score points with ergonomics and premium upholstery, but also with an eye-catching look thanks to RGB lighting and cool add-ons. I tested the model and revealed its strengths and weaknesses.
Asus ROG Chariot X: Structure, design, workmanship
You can tell that the ROG Chariot X is a big deal as soon as you open the package. This is because the gaming chair weighs almost 62 pounds (28 kg) and therefore requires the help of a second person when setting it up. Nevertheless, it is relatively easy to set up, right up to the point where you have to place the upper section on the stand. Then it takes some strength and skill.
When you look at the chair in its individual parts, you notice the excellent workmanship in every nook and cranny. Every seam fits perfectly, everything fits without wobbling and blends seamlessly into a chic overall look.
In addition to the high-quality faux leather cover, which feels good and doesn’t get too warm when you sit on it, it’s the interesting design elements that make the chair stand out. These include the light racing look, which is almost reminiscent of Recaro or the Corsair T3 Rush, but not quite.
There are also two mirrored surfaces on the front and RGB lighting on the edges and at the back. This can be controlled with a small touch controller and its brightness or frequency can be adjusted. The whole thing is not powered by a AC power adapter, but only by a power bank, which can be stored in a cleverly concealed pocket on the side of the chair. Unfortunately, a suitable power bank is not included.
Further reading: The best gaming monitors
The only disruptive factor in terms of appearance are the three bright red straps on the back of the chair, which are almost reminiscent of carrying straps for luggage. These can be removed, but unfortunately not with the tool supplied. Too bad.
It is not clear what exactly the red straps are for.
It is not clear what exactly the red straps are for.
IDG
It is not clear what exactly the red straps are for.
IDG
IDG
Asus ROG Chariot X: Comfort and ergonomics
What is immediately noticeable when you first try out the chair is that it is very comfortable. The backrest and seat are firm enough to provide support and prevent you from sinking in too much. But it also offers enough padding to prevent your legs from hurting after a long time.
Speaking of legs: Those with longer legs can rejoice, as the seat on the Asus ROG Chariot X is slightly longer than on comparable chairs and should therefore be much more comfortable. The chair also offers plenty of legroom in general, including to the sides, which is an advantage when sitting actively. Or if you want to cross your legs.
A neck cushion is also firmly integrated into the chair, which can be adjusted in height in stages. However, it is quite flat and therefore not too helpful if you tend to push your head too far forwards when sitting.
Further reading: The best gaming laptops
The same applies to the lumbar cushion supplied. It is also quite flat and loose. It can’t be attached to the chair with a drawstring and therefore is prone to slipping. After a while, I simply left it off, as the backrest alone is comfortable enough.
In general, however, I found the ergonomics of the ROG Chariot X to be less than ideal. After sitting for long periods of time, I sometimes experienced neck pain when using both cushions. Without the lumbar cushion it was better, but then I noticed that although the backrest is very stable and resilient, it is not ideally shaped to promote a better posture.
And yet: This is rather complaining on a high level. Overall, the gaming chair is very well designed and should be a good choice for people of normal build. In my personal test over several weeks, I only discovered slight weaknesses.
Should you buy the Asus ROG Chariot X?
The core version of the Asus ROG Chariot X is available from $750. I consider the price-performance ratio to be very good, as the chair has a high-quality finish and many desirable features such as a neck cushion and a rocking mechanism.
In general, however, I cannot recommend the chair unreservedly, as I had to make some compromises when it came to ergonomics. In terms of design and the other functions, however, there is hardly anything to complain about. Nevertheless, the Chariot X is no revolution. Read...Newslink ©2024 to PC World | |
| | | PC World - 13 Sep (PC World)At a glanceExpert`s Rating
ProsSolid performanceCompetitive priceDedicated button for quick performance mode switchingFast 165Hz display with good colorsConsFully plastic buildMushy keyboardWeak battery lifeOur VerdictThe Acer Nitro V 16 delivers great gaming with its RTX 4060 GPU and Ryzen 7 CPU, but the battery life could be better.
In the past, gaming laptops could never hope to keep up with desktop gaming rigs, but the latest multi-core CPUs and pixel-pushing GPUs in laptops can make even the most demanding AAA games playable on the go. However, you’ll pay handsomely for the privilege, with high-end gaming laptops running thousands of dollars. If you don’t want to spend that much, laptops like the Ryzen-powered Acer Nitro V 16 could be just what you need. It’s got everything you need and nothing you don’t.
This machine sports a capable RTX 4060 GPU and an eight-core Ryzen 7 8845HS processor. Combine those with a fast IPS display, and you have a solid gaming experience for around $1,000. However, you won’t find much use for the Acer Nitro V 16 beyond gaming due to its poor battery life and obvious gamer aesthetic.
Further reading: Best gaming laptops 2024: What to look for and highest-rated models
Acer Nitro V 16: Specs and features
The Nitro V 16 runs on the eight-core AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS CPU, which was launched in late 2023. AMD has since launched a new generation of laptop Ryzen chips with more AI chops, but that’s not a problem for the V 16. This machine also has an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 GPU, which can process more AI workloads than a CPU if the need arises.
The GPU is capable of running any modern game. While the resolution of 1920×1200 isn’t exceptionally high in 2024, it pairs well with the RTX 4060 to run games with medium or high settings at native resolution. The 16GB of included DDR5 RAM is also sufficient for mid-range gaming, but it’s light for creative work. If these specs don’t work for you, the Nitro V 16 may not be the right machine.
While the Acer Nitro 14 has similar specs, it’s a little more powerful and expensive. The 16-inch model only has a few minor spec variants, with a starting MSRP of $999.99. That’s cheaper than most RTX 4060 gaming machines, but the base model only has 8GB of RAM. I tested the 16GB version (priced at $1,099.99), which is the minimum memory allotment you should consider in 2024. The good news is this version of the machine is often discounted below $1,000.
CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS
Memory: 16GB DDR5
Graphics/GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060
Display: 16-inch 1920×1200 IPS @ 165Hz
Storage: 1 TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe M.2 SSD
Webcam: 720p
Connectivity: 1x USB-C (USB4, 40Gbps), 2 x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps), 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x Ethernet, 1x 3.5mm audio jack
Networking: Wi-Fi 6e, Bluetooth 5.3
Battery capacity: 57Whr, 135W charging
Dimensions: 14.25 x 11.07 x 1.24 inches
Weight: 5.5 pounds
MSRP as tested: $1,099.99
The Acer Nitro V 16’s fast display is great for twitchy games and the RTX 4060 has enough horsepower to run almost any modern title at medium or high settings.
Acer Nitro V 16: Design and build quality
IDG / Ryan Whitwam
IDG / Ryan Whitwam
IDG / Ryan Whitwam
When it’s closed, the Acer Nitro V 16 doesn’t scream “gaming PC,” but it does cut an imposing silhouette with its 16-inch display and thick 1.24-inch profile. It’s an all-black affair, save for the silver Acer Nitro logo in the middle of the lid. Opening the lid, there’s another inlaid Nitro logo on the wrist rest and one below the display.
The Nitro V16 is all plastic, and you will notice that immediately upon touching it. It doesn’t seem cheaply made, but you can feel the plastic body flexing around the trackpad and cooling vents. While plastic might not be as robust as metal, the Nitro V 16 feels generally sturdy. The hinge is smooth, if a bit stiff. However, it stays put, and there’s next to no wobble, even when you pound away on the keyboard.
The chassis has tapered edges that make it a bit easier to pick up, but it’s got more heft than a business laptop, even with the plastic body. This laptop weighs in at 5.5 pounds, which is heavy compared to most laptops but competitive for a 16-inch gaming PC. I like the oversized rubber feet on the underside, which help keep the machine from moving around on your desk.
The Nitro V 16 has fewer ports than you’ll find on a productivity laptop or a higher-end gaming machine. It’s more than good enough for the average gamer, though. You get two high-speed USB-A ports, one on each side. There’s also a full Ethernet port on the left side. Around back, you get the DC power plug, HDMI out, and the laptop’s lone USB-C port. This isn’t a convenient location for that port, but at least it’s fast, with support for USB4 at 40Gbps.
The Acer Nitro V 16 has a robust cooling system featuring two internal fans that pull in air from the top and bottom of the machine. That’s handy if one of the vents is temporarily obstructed, but you can hear the fans droning through the large vents above the keyboard.
Warm air is accelerated out the sides of the PC through sizable exhaust ports, maintaining low thermals inside the machine. You might have to watch where you put your mouse—the exhaust blasts outward a good distance from the computer and it is hot.
Next to the cooling vents, the V 16 has a small glowing button to switch performance modes. With each press, the color changes and the system overlay tells you which mode you’ve activated. This is a handy way to switch from battery-efficient modes to high-power for playing games. Alternatively, you can press the “Nitro” key to launch the performance tuning client for even more control.
Acer Nitro V 16: Display and Speakers
IDG / Ryan Whitwam
IDG / Ryan Whitwam
IDG / Ryan Whitwam
This 16-inch IPS LCD has a resolution of 1920×1200 and a refresh rate of 165Hz. There’s plenty of screen real estate, but there’s no option for a touchscreen here. That’s fine, considering it has a standard non-convertible hinge and it’s aimed mostly at gamers. There’s a 720p webcam squeezed in just about the screen. It’s fine in a pinch, but the picture is grainy and flat. There’s no support for IR-based Windows Hello, so you’ll need to use a password or PIN to unlock this laptop.
The display brightness is on the weak side at 300 nits, but the colors and viewing angles are good for the price. You could spend a few hundred more to get a sharper LCD or even an OLED, but this panel is great for gaming, particularly if you’re into twitchy shooters like Fortnite or Counter-Strike. The RTX 4060 has no trouble rendering modern games at 1200p, and the 165Hz refresh rate offers smooth movement in fast-paced scenes.
The stereo speakers are tucked under the edge of the laptop, which is true of most notebooks. The speakers get reasonably loud, but the audio is hollow and garbled at high volumes. The sound is serviceable as long as you leave it at a modest level. If you want more immersive sound, you’ll need headphones or external speakers.
Acer Nitro V 16: Keyboard and trackpad
IDG / Ryan Whitwam
IDG / Ryan Whitwam
IDG / Ryan Whitwam
The keyboard on this machine could be a little divisive. This PC offers a quiet, soft typing experience. On the flip side, the keys aren’t very tactile, and the bottom-out is too mushy. These qualities won’t matter if you’re primarily playing games on the Nitro V 16, but it’s not ideal for typing long documents.
At just over 14 inches wide, the Nitro V 16 is just large enough to offer an expanded keyboard layout—you’ll find a full number pad to the keyboard’s right, but the keys are only about 60 percent as large as normal keys. That makes the pad a little too cramped for my taste, but some may still be happy they have a number pad at all on a 16-inch laptop
I was very happy to see that Acer also made room for full-sized arrow keys. Most modern laptops shrink those keys down to save space, but that makes them harder to find by touch. And right next to the arrow, Acer has included the now-customary Microsoft Copilot key.
The keys themselves are backlit with orange LEDs—no color options here. The WASD cluster also has a bit more shine-through surface to set it apart from the rest of the deck. Similarly, there’s a small dimple on W to make it easier to find by touch. It’s not the most elegant look, but the Nitro V 16 isn’t about subtlety.
The Acer Nitro V 16 has a large enough trackpad, but it seems like it could be bigger given the amount of unused real estate below the keyboard. It’s just your standard touchpad, no glass or more exotic materials. I found it to be a very responsive pad, though. Tapping, dragging, and other gestures are detected reliably and accurately.
Acer Nitro V 16: Performance
IDG / Ryan Whitwam
IDG / Ryan Whitwam
IDG / Ryan Whitwam
PCMark 10 is designed to test a machine across a variety of metrics like web browsing, video chat, and photo editing. The Acer Nitro V 16 scores 7,235, which is competitive but a little behind similar laptops, including the Acer Nitro 14. CPU performance is a primary factor with PCMark, so shifting from the default Balanced performance mode to Performance bumps the PCMark score by about 300 points.
IDG / Ryan Whitwam
IDG / Ryan Whitwam
IDG / Ryan Whitwam
Cinebench is a CPU-focused test that shows how a PC handles heavy but brief multi-core workloads. More CPU cores grant higher scores in Cinebench and cooling doesn’t matter very much. The Nitro V 16 scored 6,258 in this test, which is higher than many Intel-powered laptops. Again, the similarly equipped Acer Nitro 14 runs just a little ahead with the default performance tuning.
IDG / Ryan Whitwam
IDG / Ryan Whitwam
IDG / Ryan Whitwam
The Handbrake test is similar to Cinebench in that it shows how a computer handles multithreaded tasks, but this is a longer-duration test where thermals matter more. This laptop manages 6,258 in Cinebench. The robust cooling solution pays off, keeping the Nitro V 16 competitive with more expensive laptops.
IDG / Ryan Whitwam
IDG / Ryan Whitwam
IDG / Ryan Whitwam
Our first gaming test is 3DMark Time Spy, a graphical benchmark that focuses on GPU performance. At 9,206, the Acer V 16 offers fantastic game performance, running even or slightly ahead of other RTX 4060 machines. It takes an RTX 4070 or higher to consistently beat this laptop in 3DMark, but those machines are much more expensive. For example, the Alienware x16 R2 is about the same size and weight and it leaves this machine in the dust, but it also costs twice as much.
IDG / Ryan Whitwam
IDG / Ryan Whitwam
IDG / Ryan Whitwam
Game benchmarks like the one included with Shadow of the Tomb Raider can help us understand a system’s real world gaming experience. With an average frame rate of 130, the Acer Nitro V 16 definitely establishes its gaming chops in this benchmark. This frame rate is better than numerous RTX 4060 machines we’ve tested and it almost matches some RTX 4070 laptops.
IDG / Ryan Whitwam
IDG / Ryan Whitwam
IDG / Ryan Whitwam
The Metro Exodus benchmark is a bit more demanding, giving higher-specced machines a chance to shine. However, the V 16 still reaches an average of 38 fps, which is more than competitive with gaming laptops with similar components.
Overall, I’ve been very happy with the Acer Nitro V 16’s performance. While the CPU falls a little behind in some benchmarks, that’s not something you’ll notice in daily usage. Across productivity and gaming, this machine never left me waiting. The GPU isn’t the best around, but it’s more than powerful enough to run modern games on the 1200p LCD at high frame rates. However, the display does not have G-Sync support to reduce tearing at high frame rates.
It might not handle the most demanding visual enhancements (e.g. ray tracing) as well as more expensive GPUs, but it nails the basics.
Acer Nitro V 16: Battery life
Despite weighing about the same as comparable gaming PCs, Acer only managed to fit a 56Wh battery in the Nitro V 16. That’s closer to what we’d expect for a mid-range productivity PC and it’s much smaller than the 76Wh cell in the Acer Nitro 14. It comes with a 135W charging brick that connects to the DC barrel port. You can also charge the machine over USB-C but it fills more slowly and won’t run in performance mode when powered by USB-C.
IDG / Ryan Whitwam
IDG / Ryan Whitwam
IDG / Ryan Whitwam
Our battery test consists of playing a 4K copy of Tears of Steel on repeat with the screen at 250 nits until the laptop runs out of juice. The V 16 brings up the rear in our rundown test at 234 minutes (just shy of four hours), which is about what I’d expect given the big display and small battery.
In general, you can expect a little more time per charge in daily use by keeping the display brightness lower—we had to turn it most of the way up to keep the benchmark consistent. I’d estimate around four or five hours of productivity usage on battery, but games will drain it much faster. That makes the V 16 more a poor choice for gaming on the go. If you can’t find a power outlet, this laptop just won’t last very long.
Acer Nitro V 16: Conclusion
Even at the MSRP of $1,099 to $1,129, the Acer Nitro V 16 offers a fantastic value and it’s usually discounted to under $1,000. For that sum, you get a big, fast display that’s great for twitchy games and the RTX 4060 has enough horsepower to run almost any modern title at medium or high settings. You could spend a little more to get even better gaming performance or an OLED display, but the V 16 is a good value for the mid-range.
Just don’t expect to take the show on the road—with a meager 56Wh battery, I found the battery life to be substandard. No gaming laptop is going to frag forever on battery, but this one doesn’t even last as long as most.
The keyboard isn’t the prettiest, nor does it feel particularly good, but it’s fine for gaming. The machine also has a distinctively “gamer” vibe that won’t fit in at the office. These shortcomings are not deal breakers, but don’t buy this machine for dual productivity/gaming duty. Read...Newslink ©2024 to PC World | |
| | | PC World - 13 Sep (PC World)For PC gamers, Steam has been such a mainstay for so long now that it’s practically melded into the operating system itself. The thing is, Steam is more than just a market — it can do a lot more.
Just because you’ve used Steam a lot doesn’t mean you know everything about it. Valve has continued to update its flagship product over the years with several intriguing and downright useful features, and it’s a real shame that many of those features fly under the radar.
So, I dug through some of Valve’s recent announcements and explored the software from end to end. Here are some cool Steam features I found that you might’ve overlooked.
Play Steam games on your TV or phone
Steam is a PC gaming platform, but you aren’t limited to your PC. With Valve’s own Steam Link app, you can stream games from your PC to compatible devices including phones, tablets, and TVs.
All you have to do is install Steam Link on the device you want to play on (e.g., your TV or phone) and connect via Steam Link to your gaming PC. This connection can be made over local network or the internet, meaning you can actually play your games even when away from home.
What actually happens is that your inputs are sent to your PC, which runs the actual game, and the game’s visual output is streamed to your device in real time. It’s basically a cloud gaming setup, except your own PC is the cloud service in this case.
Related: Which cloud gaming service is right for you?
If you want to get even more technical with a full-blown DIY project, you can even build your own Steam gaming console for your TV, which is what PCWorld’s own Will Smith did just for funsies. I won’t pretend to know exactly how he did it, but the end result is impressive.
See how much you’ve spent on Steam
Bragging about how many unplayed games you have in your Steam backlog is so 2010s. How about bragging about the ungodly amount you’ve spent on games, played or not?
If you want to pull back the veil and find out how much of your future retirement fund you’ve frittered away on your gaming library, then Steam has the stat loaded and ready for you.
Navigate to Help > Steam support > My account > Data related to your Steam account > External funds used and you’ll see a breakdown of your total spend over the life of the account. Ouch.
Take rich notes for each game
Jon Martindale / IDG
Jon Martindale / IDG
Jon Martindale / IDG
Have you used the relatively new Notes feature in Steam? Valve introduced it in a big update last year and I’ve fallen in love with it.
It’s basically a notepad that you can access through the Steam overlay (open the overlay using the Shift + Tab shortcut), and you can keep notes on a per-game basis. It’s where I store my strategic plans for complicated games on Tabletop Simulator, and it’s where I leave myself reminders for what I want to do next in Kerbal Space Program.
And Steam Notes can hold more than just text. You can make links to webpages, you can write code, and you can even paste images. (Copy the image you want and paste it in using Ctrl + V.)
You can then access Steam Notes outside of the game itself. Navigate to the game in your library, then scroll down and look at the right-hand side of the Steam window. You’ll find the Notes tab with everything you’ve written and/or pasted there.
Share Steam games with friends and family
Valve
Valve
Valve
Do you ever feel like the games in your Steam library are going to waste, either because you’ve yet to play them or you’ve completed them and have no intention of ever playing them again? Consider sharing those games with friends and family so they can play them!
Steam Family is a nifty feature that lets you share your game library with up to five other people. Games are shareable on a game-to-game basis (must be enabled by each developer), and a shared game can only be played by one person at a time. Each person in your Steam Family is designated as either an Adult or Child, with special parental controls that can limit access to certain games and Steam features for Children.
To share Steam games with someone, both of you need Steam Guard enabled on your accounts. Then, go to Steam > Settings > Family, enable Activate family library on this device, then select the account you want to share your library with from the list. To play a shared game, the borrower must select Borrow on the game in their library, and then the owner must approve the borrow request.
Use custom controller configs per game
If you prefer to game on your PC with a gaming controller instead of keyboard and mouse, you should know that you can download and use custom controller presets created by the community on a per-game basis. These presets may be better than the defaults.
To use these controller configs, go to Steam > View > Big Picture Mode. Then, in your game library, select a game and click on the controller icon beside it. Click on the current controller layout and you’ll be able to browse both official and community-made configs.
Customize your Steam library art
Don’t like the logo of a particular game? Wish the background wasn’t so ugly and want to tweak it? Or maybe you want to revamp the art for every game in your Steam library as a form of creative expression? You can!
All you have to do is open your Steam library, select the game you want to change the art for, then right-click the background image in the main window and choose the image you want to replace it with.
This can be a great way to, say, add your favorite personal screenshots as a backdrop or simply to customize logos for readability. SteamGridDB has some amazing fan-made artwork you can use to replace the defaults, if you aren’t creative and/or want something professional-looking.
Sell Steam Trading Cards for wallet funds
Jon Martindale / IDG
Jon Martindale / IDG
Jon Martindale / IDG
Frankly, I don’t care about Steam Trading Cards, and I know I can’t be the only one. There’s nothing wrong if you like them, of course — and it’s actually better for me that people want them because it allows me the opportunity to sell them for money.
If you want to get rid of your Steam Trading Cards, simply click on your account name in Steam and select Inventory. Then, select all of the trading cards you don’t want (for me, that’s all of them) and hit the Sell button to sell them on the open market at a fair price.
They might not sell straight away, but they should go eventually — and before you know it, you’ll have a few extra dollars to spend on a new game or DLC that’s sitting in your wishlist.
Record video footage of your sessions
If you want to record video of your gameplay, you have options as far as what software to use — but why not just use Steam itself? Earlier this year, Valve released a useful game recording feature that’s free to use and built right into the Steam client for ultimate convenience.
To enable it, you’ll need to be running the beta version of Steam (at least at the time of this writing). To switch to the beta version of Steam, you can simply go to Steam > Settings > Interface, then select one of the beta options from the drop-down menu.
After Steam restarts in the beta branch, navigate to Steam > Settings > Game Recording, then select either Background (to record constantly in the background, up to the limits you set for time and storage) or On Demand (to only record when you manually toggle it).
You can add timeline markers to help you keep track of important moments, you can clip the footage, and you can share those clips, all from within the Steam interface. Just open the Steam overlay (again, that’s Shift + Tab in game) and start cutting up your highlights.
More on this: Hands-on with Steam’s game recording beta
Check your FPS in games
Jon Martindale / IDG
Jon Martindale / IDG
Jon Martindale / IDG
This particular feature has been in Steam for a while, but I’ve written enough “How to check your in-game FPS” guides to know that it’s still something that many aren’t aware of. Steam may not be the best tool for checking frame rates, but it is the quickest and most straightforward.
Navigate to Steam > Settings > In game, then enable the In-game FPS counter. It’ll display a simple average frame rate at the top of your screen, which is good enough for most cases. (If you don’t see it, make sure you haven’t disabled the Steam overlay from showing in-game.)
Change Steam’s start page
Suppose you find yourself spending way too much on Steam games and you want to eliminate as many temptations as you can. One thing you can do is change Steam’s start page so you aren’t bombarded with sales, offers, and new releases.
To change Steam’s start page, go to Steam > Settings > Interface, then select one of the options for how you want Steam to start up. The options include News, Library, Community Home, and (if Steam is a crucial aspect of your online social life) Friend activity.
Scroll to find hidden gems you’d like
After Steam’s latest user interface overhaul, Valve introduced a lot more recommendations for your next purchase — and this is a great way to find hidden gems, even if you have an expansive wishlist already.
All you have to do is navigate to the Store page, scroll down, and just keep scrolling down. You’ll see the usual special offers and featured games at the top, but keep going and you’ll enter into the weeds where you can find all sorts of lesser-known titles.
These recommendations are based on various factors, including the games you actually play, the games your friends have been playing lately, games from your wishlist that were recently updated, and some truly niche picks from niche categories that Steam thinks you’d like.
While writing this article, I kept scrolling just to see what Steam thinks I’d like and ended up finding a bunch of “underwater games” and “wholesome games,” which I apparently have a penchant for!
Further reading: Must-know Steam tips to level up your PC gaming Read...Newslink ©2024 to PC World | |
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