Google’s free operating system, ChromeOS Flex, is now available for anyone to install on their resource-starved Windows and Mac machines. However, just like the version on Chromebooks, ChromeOS Flex is a cloud-centric offering that’s severely feature-strapped, unlike other full-fledged, do-it-yourself (DIY) operating systems like Linux. But experts believe there’s more at play here. “I think it’s a mistake to view ChromeOS Flex as a DIY OS in the same way someone might, for example, view someone reviving an old laptop by installing Linux,” Chris Thornett, former editor of Linux User & Developer magazine, told Lifewire over email....

The big picture: The Coronavirus continues to make waves in our society, especially as many workers are asked to work from home. To do so, however, typically requires a faster broadband connection, which can be expensive. While some companies like AT&T are waiving data caps to help in this crisis, Comcast is doing its part to assist with a faster, free tier of internet service. The details: Comcast’s “Internet Essentials” typically runs $9....

The Smart Clock Essential can set timers and reminders with voice commands and has multiple stylish, customizable offerings. The Smart Frame’s update includes virtual sticky notes and it also no longer requires a Google Photos account to be used. The device comes in two different colors, Misty Blue and Clay Red, and is covered by soft fabric. You can personalize the clock with customizable clock faces or place it on the new Lenovo Ambient Light Dock, which serves as a nightlight and can fill the room with light using eight different modes....

High-end gaming keyboards are about more than flashy looks and gaudy marketing. Behind the crazy RGB backlighting lurks a foundation of quality that should appeal to anyone looking for the best keyboard possible. On paper, the Corsair K100 certainly seems like one of the best keyboards you could buy, but can it live up to the hype and its high price? Design: Striking yet reserved Aside from a few design quirks, the appearance of the K100 isn’t really that outlandish....

According to Dell, the Latitude 5000 series is its most popular PC, so it would provide the largest impact when using sustainable and recycled elements, which feeds into Dell’s goal to significantly reduce its environmental impact by 2030. A short breakdown from Dell goes over many of the Latitude 5000 series’ sustainable components, which include reclaimed carbon fiber and using a larger amount of ocean plastics than before. The “feet” of the laptops are also being made from a renewable rubber substitute made from castor bean oil....

How Much Do PC Video Cards Cost? Video cards range in price from under $100 to over $1,000. While more expensive cards typically offer better performance, you shouldn’t base your decision on price alone. If you’re a hardcore gamer, don’t choose the cheapest computer video card (also called a graphics card) that you can find. Likewise, if you only browse the internet or stream YouTube, there’s no need to choose a high-end graphics card....

If you’ve used enough computing platforms, such as computers, game consoles, smartphones, or tablets, you’ve encountered the concept of software licensing. This is which is the legal and technological tool that allows you to use the software you buy on a given device. Sometimes software licenses can mean that you’re required to buy the same software program more than once if you want to use it on more than one device....

How to Use the Fitbit App Setting up a Fitbit and using the app is almost identical regardless of which Fitbit you own. Here’s how to set it up before delving into the free and paid features available through it. Is the Fitbit App Free? The basic Fitbit app is entirely free to use. However, to get the full benefits from it, you may need to subscribe to Fitbit Premium. Here’s a look at the differences between the two services....

The program itself is clutter-free and supports a number of features, all of which you’d expect from a program like this. More About Driver Talent Driver Talent is a feature-rich driver updater that even lets you reinstall drivers that don’t have an update, something that can really be helpful if you’re trying to solve a driver issue. Here are some other facts: Finds drivers for Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows XP, as well as Windows Server You can see an updated driver’s version number, file size, and release date to make sure you’re getting a genuine update Before updating a driver, you can choose a different version than the most recent one if you’d like to install a specific version of that driver instead of the most recently released one Driver Talent can reinstall any installed driver even if it doesn’t require an update Peripheral devices that are misbehaving can be corrected through the Peripheral Drivers tab Use Driver Talent for Network Card to install an offline version of Driver Talent that includes network drivers, which is useful if you don’t have the network driver needed to install updates You can adjust the maximum download speed to save bandwidth...

Moving vs. Copying That works fine when you want to duplicate a file in the same folder as the original, but what if you want to copy the file to another folder on the same drive? ​If you select the file or folder and drag it to another location on the same drive, the item is moved, not copied. When you need a copy in another location, make use of the Finder’s copy and paste capabilities....

The Eco Bamboo Multi-Device Charging Station is a cord-taming dynamo. This charging station doesn’t actually have a built-in charger, but it does have is a hidden compartment with built-in elastic straps to secure and organize the chargers and USB cables for all of your phones and other electronic devices. We put an Eco Bamboo Multi-Device Charging Station to the test around the office and at home, testing how well it fits into various real-world spaces, how many devices it’s realistically capable of holding, and whether it’s built well enough to withstand the rigors of daily use....

Overall Findings Depending on your needs, eMMC or SSD could work for your storage solution. If you’re on a tight budget, take a look at eMMC. However, if you need faster performance, take a look at SSD. eMMC Pros and Cons eMMC (embedded MultiMediaCard) storage is a form of internal storage consisting of a controller and NAND flash memory, which are located in one integrated circuit. eMMC storage chips are usually embedded in a device’s motherboard....

EVE Online is the kind of online roleplaying game that everyone seems to know about, but haven’t actually played it. It’s been jokingly referred to as a ‘spreadsheet simulator’ for a reason, after all, which isn’t all that farfetched as many players use spreadsheets to keep track of the intense volumes of data the game throws at them. And soon, that data collection will be made easier, as CCP Games has announced a partnership with Microsoft for Excel support....

If you like to keep up on your football/soccer games, FIFA’s new FIFA+ streaming platform might make that a little easier for you. According to FIFA’s press release, the service will provide streams of thousands of games throughout 2022, along with many added bonuses. So what do you actually get with FIFA+? Assuming it makes good on its promises, you’ll have access to thousands of live games throughout the year, as well as FIFA’s entire archive of Men’s and Women’s World Cup footage....

That’s Grover, a gadget-leasing company that lets you rent tech instead of buying. It keeps the clutter out of your dead-gadget closet, lowers the cost of entry, and could even have environmental benefits. So why even bother buying when you can rent? “Anyone can use Grover—a tech-savvy individual who wants to get their hands on the latest devices, a student that only needs an iPad for the school year, a creator that needs a GoPro for a project, a family that needs a gadget on a short notice, and more,” Andrew Draft, US general manager at Grover, told Lifewire via email....

So long as the Expansion Pack doesn’t add an absurd amount to my yearly Nintendo Switch Online costs, I’ll absolutely be upgrading my plan. Being able to play Nintendo 64 and Sega Genesis games on the Switch is just too good to pass up, although, admittedly, a lot of Genesis games have been made available digitally on other platforms. I love me some classic video games and look forward to jumping back into Mario 64, trying Sin and Punishment, and revisiting Sonic the Hedgehog 2....

Catching up: Other services like HBO Max, Netflix, and Hulu already support multiple profiles on one account, so it’s really about time Prime Video did the same. How it works: There will always be one default primary profile, while additional profiles made for either adults or kids will exist under the same account. Movie and TV show recommendations, season progress, and watchlists will be based on individual profile activity, so people rewatching Game of Thrones won’t see someone else’s deep dive into Doctor Who....

If you’ve ever wished to use Google (or any of its other services) directly from your iPhone’s lock screen, you’re in luck. Google just announced it is adding lock screen widgets to many apps that will take advantage of the new iOS 16 feature. It won’t just be for Google searches, either, though you will have the option of checking the internet via text, voice, or camera without unlocking your phone....

Google announced plans to remove support for third-party cookies from its Chrome browser near the end of 2019. While other browsers already offered ways to block cookies, Chrome’s removal is a huge deal because of how ingrained Google is within the world of technology as a whole. Now, Google has provided an update about its move, including details of its Privacy Sandbox, which effectively will replace how the company tracks your online data and shares it with advertisers....

Google is looking to change that, however, and the company’s opening salvo is a major update to its built-in password manager. This update brings many improvements to the service, including grouping multiple passwords for the same sites or apps together in one field. There has also been a spate of improvements to the Android version of the password manager, as it now looks and feels the same as its Chrome-based counterpart, and settings automatically transfer between the two....