It’s something we’ve all experienced, and now researchers at Columbia University have devised a method to prevent rogue microphones from capturing our conversations. Interestingly, one of the use cases for their novel mechanism is to disrupt automatic speech recognition systems in smart voice-activated devices. “Ever noticed online ads following you that are eerily close to something you’ve recently talked about with your friends and family?” asks Columbia University in their writeup of the research....

As far as appearances are concerned, there is no getting around the fact that the Onkyo TX-8140 is on the bulkier side of receivers these days. Looks are subjective of course, but I tend to prefer when manufacturers keep it clean and small on the exterior if at all possible, especially since there is a remote control to handle the functions anyway. It’s not game over for this receiver, however—solid performance, a good reputation, and a nice array of input options make the Onkyo TX-8140 a good buy for some buyers, even if it’s a narrower field....

All computers and computer-like devices require operating systems, including your laptop, tablet, desktop, smartphone, smartwatch, and router. Not sure what operating system you’re running? Use the Lifewire System Info Tool below to find out! Examples of Operating Systems Laptops, tablets, and desktop computers all run operating systems. You’ve probably heard of most of them. Some examples include versions of Microsoft Windows (like Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows XP), Apple’s macOS (formerly OS X), Chrome OS, and various Unix and Linux distribution lists....

While there are plenty of options to choose from, I’ve taken a look at the Optoma UHD50, a mid-range 4K projector, to see just how well it performs. Over the course of four weeks, I put the Optoma UHD50 to the test, watching movies, playing games, bingeing my favorite television shows, and more for a total of more than 80 hours to see just how well the image quality, sound quality, and overall experience was for the $1,299 projector compared to those on our best projector list....

Those are some of the thoughts I had while exploring Orvibo’s Magic Cube, a device that connects to and controls tech and other smart items around your home that usually use a remote. This includes TVs, DVD players, fans, air conditioning systems, and beyond. Though the device was fairly easy to get acquainted with, there wasn’t much I could do with it since I really only use remotes for my TV....

Tablet Operating Systems An operating system is the underlying software that allows users to interact with their devices. A tablet’s operating system, or OS, determines the layout of the touchscreen interface and the types of apps it can run. There are three major operating systems available for tablets. Apple iOS The iPad and the iPhone both run on iOS. Apple products are known for their high quality and user-friendliness. As the oldest operating system for tablets, iOS supports millions of apps....

What Is a PPTM File? A file with the PPTM file extension is a Microsoft PowerPoint Open XML Macro-Enabled Presentation file. They’re comprised of pages called slides that hold text, media files like images and videos, graphs, and other things pertinent to a presentation. Like PowerPoint’s PPTX format, PPTM files use ZIP and XML to compress and organize the data into a single file. The difference between the two is that PPTM files can execute macros, while PPTX files, although they might contain them, can not....

The average cost of lithium-ion battery cells increased to an estimated $160 per kilowatt-hour in the first quarter of this year from $105 last year. But experts are optimistic that electric cars won’t lose their appeal. “Battery costs have been steadily declining for ten years, and this recent spike in commodity prices is driven by transitory macro events that extend well beyond electric vehicles,” Trent Mell, the CEO of Electra Battery Materials Corporation, told Lifewire in an email interview....

Over the past few years, the mini synth, drum machine, and sampler market has really taken off. The most visible are Korg’s Volca range, which are cute little boxes the size of a paperback novel that pack some seriously big sounds. Now Roland has joined in, adding some interesting features, while keeping to the idea of a portable, fun device. They’re cut-down and modified versions of the existing full-sized AIRA line....

The annual Galaxy S has long represented the pinnacle of premium smartphone design and technology, but Samsung switched things up this year. The new base Galaxy S21 model has seen a series of downgrades to trim down the price tag, but those tweaks have resulted in a phone that—while still very capable and stylish—isn’t quite as exciting this time around. It’s the pricier Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra that holds onto that mantle....

Using the App It’s a simple to use application because it’s so straightforward. Once you open the app, it automatically goes into the live shooting mode. Here you can choose the modes listed above for the scene you plan on using. On the left-hand side (always use this app in landscape mode) will be your options: The front/rear facing cameraAF LockAE LockOption to remove the live previewFlash The live preview window is the smaller window, and you can see what you capture based on the settings you choose....

Portable external hard drives, like the Silicon Power Armor A60, make it easy to take your stored photos, files, media, and games with you on the go. The rugged Armor A60 is supposed to be extremely durable, water-resistant, and relatively quick for a hard drive of its size and price. I tested to Armor A60 HDD for a week to see if it’s really as great as it sounds....

For this review, I put SunBrite’s 55-inch Veranda 4K TV to the test to see how well it would hold up to in the chilliest of environments. Over the course of 30 hours of on-and-off use throughout the month of January, I took notes of the TV’s strengths and weaknesses and have summarized my thoughts below. Design: Bulky, but durable From a distance, the SunBrite 55-inch Veranda outdoor TV doesn’t look much different than your average LED television....

For most people, we think you should just buy the XPEN Artist 12, because of its compatibility and customization features (and it’s low price tag). Our experts evaluated dozens of drawing tablets, and we’ve rounded up our top picks below. If you want a more fully-featured tablet, you may want to take a look at our list of the best tablets. What’s great about having an 11.6-inch display inside your drawing tablet is that you don’t need to look at your other screen while drawing on a separate surface—you’re drawing on the device where your lines and colors are appearing....

If you’re looking for a Blu-Ray player of the less portable variety for your home theater setup, you should browse our list of the best Blu-Ray and Ultra HD Blu-Ray players. Otherwise, read on below to see the best portable DVD and Blu-Ray players we looked at. Aside from playing most standard CD/DVD formats, the Sunpin player also supports a variety of digital media files from a USB drive or SD card....

From slim-fitting covers to folding wallets, there are thousands of cases (across different styles) to choose from, so a little confusion is understandable. To make things easier, we’ve rounded up some of the best iPhone cases worth buying. While most of these are available for all the iPhone models currently on sale, compatibility may vary. Read on to check out our list of the best iPhone case. The case’s matte-finished “Herringbone” pattern not only makes it resistant to fingerprints but enhances the grip as well....

Elac recommends that each B6.2 speaker be paired with a receiver up to 120 watts per channel. That all but ensures it will fill a medium-sized house with crisp, solid sound. Midrange sound hits on all the right notes while higher frequencies add a vibrancy that’s a slam dunk at this price range. Even if you put sound aside, the speakers’ good looks and clean design are reason enough to put them on a bookshelf....

If a vertical mouse doesn’t suit you, look at our list of the best ergonomic mice, and you’re sure to find a good option. Read on to see the best vertical mice. This model ticks all the right boxes, with a comfortable and compact wireless design, a button to control the sensitivity, as well as forward/back buttons to go with the usual left and right-click options. That pair of buttons doesn’t work with Macs out of the box, but various third-party apps let you get around that problem....

Below are some excellent websites with good selections of high-quality, completely free e-cards for birthdays and lots of other occasions. Many of the free e-cards here can become photo cards and all can be customized with personal messages, stickers, and the layout of your choice. Start from scratch by uploading your own design. When you’re finished designing your custom e-card, print it, send it over email or via its link, or download it as a PDF....

Mid-range and budget phones have increasingly incorporated some of these high-end features, with companies like Motorola, Nokia, Samsung, OnePlus, LG, and others offering a good combination of price and performance. Take a look at our roundup of the best budget smartphones under $300 for a good overview of your options that won’t break the bank. Here, read on to see the best Android phones to get. Beyond that, it comes with a Snapdragon 865 Plus processor as well as 12GB RAM with a 4,500 mAh battery to tie everything together....