What Is an External DAC and What Is It Used For? An external DAC is a separate component not built into a player that has many popular uses for audiophiles, gamers and computer users. The most common use of an external DAC is to upgrade the DACs in an existing CD or DVD player. Digital technology is changing constantly and even a five-year-old CD or DVD player has DACs that have probably seen improvements since that time....

There are a lot of Fitbit fitness trackers to choose from these days, making it harder to decide on any of them. Thanks to Google’s latest announcement, we now have three more models to consider: The Sense 2, Inspire 3, and Versa 4. Each of the new Fitbits has been built so that they’re a little bit thinner, which Google says makes them more comfortable to wear than earlier designs....

Facebook’s Stories smart glasses may inspire digital camera manufacturers. Stories glasses have two front-facing cameras users can control with verbal commands. Nikon has already found a way to get rid of the mechanical shutter, and Canon has filed a patent for an electronic shutter button, so it seems we’re well on our way to a shutter buttonless digital camera. This prediction makes some sense: The high-tech components inside cameras continue to shrink....

Data breaches have become an unfortunate—and constant—occurrence these days, to the point that even major video game companies aren’t immune. Bandai Namco, the publisher behind From Software’s Elden Ring, has admitted as much in a statement explaining a recent hack. The breach took place on July 3, with a third-party (unidentified) gaining access to several of the company’s internal systems—particularly in “Asian regions (excluding Japan).” During that time, it’s possible that customer information pertaining to the “Toys and Hobby Business” had also been compromised....

While the typical solution is to get either a surge protector or power strip, these options have important differences to consider. Most surge protectors are also power strips, but power strips are not necessarily surge protectors. You’ll often find them in the same aisle at the hardware or store. But you should know the difference before buying. What Is a Surge Protector? While power strips are basically multi-plug extension cords, surge protectors are designed to keep electronic equipment safe from electrical surges or spikes....

Several security exploits were discovered or reported in Google’s Chrome web browser, specifically for Windows machines. The Stable channel update (103.0.5060.114) addresses flaws that would allow remote attackers to take control of a system through Javascript, memory buffer, or memory allocation vulnerabilities. Only one of the highlighted security issues seems to have been actively exploited openly, but CVE-2022-2294, as it’s known, could lead to a lot of damage or other problems....

For the average user, there’s nothing better for home Wi-Fi than a mesh network. Rather than have a single Wi-Fi router that you can optionally add separate extender devices to, mesh networks spread the signal across multiple small nodes to ensure smooth, seamless coverage throughout your home. Google’s Nest Wi-Fi is one of the most prominent and alluring options in the game. Released in late 2019, Nest Wi-Fi improves upon the original Google Wi-Fi hardware with faster speeds and more refined-looking hardware that can blend into your home—rather than stick out like a sore thumb as most routers do....

The search engine giant just announced it’s in the midst of updating the design language of its apps to match the look and feel of iOS, according to a Twitter thread by lead app designer Jeff Verkoeyen. What will this look like in practice? The changes will be subtle in some aspects, such as featuring more rounded buttons to match iOS standardization, and more overt in others, with revamped banners, floating action buttons, bottom navigation tabs, and a lot more....

The company revealed the device at today’s Made by Google streaming event. The tablet is chock full of interesting advancements. It’s powered by the same Tensor 2G chipset as the new Pixel phones, creating a shared ecosystem between all of your Google devices and cross-integration with Google Assistant. Many of the specs here are unknown, including RAM and resolution, but we do know that the Pixel Tablet comes with an innovative charging speaker dock....

Google initially launched Drive for Desktop back in February, setting it up to replace both Backup and Sync and Drive File Stream. While the latter has already been completely sunset, according to Android Central, Google has finally announced plans to shutter Backup and Sync on October 1. This gives users just a few short months to make the transition to the new app. Drive for Desktop is meant to act as a complete replacement for the systems already supported in Backup and Sync and File Stream, while bringing both the personal and business-focused components of Google Drive....

Video Apps: Free & Subscription Based Samsung has included just about every online video content app you could want on your TV; over 400 in total. You can stream you own media files with an app like Plex, and watch free TV with Pluto TV. Lifestyle Apps: Music, Photos, and More The lifestyle category includes over 200 apps related to music, travel, how-to, art, and more, including a number of unique apps....

Samsung recently announced that only one of its new mid-range A-series devices would receive a minimum of three years of Android operating system updates. Those who purchase the other phones in the line-up would not be guaranteed updates for more than two years. This, experts say, is just another entry in the long-running list of support issues that many smart devices have seen over the past several years. “Hardware and software support is desperately needed on a long term for consumers because, in the ever-changing landscape of technology, there are always new things that are coming out and new firmware and software that are being updated to devices that can make things not work properly,” Mark Pauley, CEO of Axiom Armor, told Lifewire in an email....

Anyone in your home or office will have full access to everything on your computer after you remove your password, so doing so isn’t a very security conscious thing to do. However, if you have no concerns about others physically accessing whatever they want on your computer, removing your password shouldn’t be an issue for you and will certainly speed up your computer start time. How to Remove Your Windows Password You can delete your Windows account password from Settings or Control Panel, depending on which operating system you have....

How to Stop Podcasts Automatically Downloading on MacBook By default, the Podcasts app will automatically download new episodes of shows to which you’ve subscribed. To turn off automatic downloads, follow these steps: How to Delete Podcast Episodes on Your MacBook Now that you’ve turned off automatic downloading, we can free up some space on your MacBook by deleting all these old, already downloaded podcasts. Delete Downloaded Podcasts Using the Podcasts App Open Podcasts and click Downloaded under the Library tab in the left-hand menu....

Check Point Research recently discovered Azov, a previously unseen malware that the company says can destroy data on a device in an unrecoverable way. How? Azov works by overwriting your information with random data. “Malware typically is trying to cause you harm in one form or another,” Andrew Barratt, vice president of cybersecurity company Coalfire, told Lifewire in an email interview. “It’s a bit like living with a criminal that you can’t see....

A startup called Spoke is working on a device that would let cars talk to bicycles to avoid accidents. The tech, which features Qualcomm’s C-V2X, is a standard that many car companies are working to adopt. It’s part of a growing wave of bike safety innovations as more Americans take to two wheels. “C-V2X technology enables vehicles to communicate with each other, infrastructure, pedestrians, and their surroundings,” Jarrett Wendt, the CEO of Spoke, said in a press release....

The #EndSARS movement is a youth-led resistance to SARS, which has been accused by citizens of engaging in extrajudicial abuses including theft, assault, rape, torture, and murder. Originally started in 2017, it gained international recognition on Oct. 3 after a video captured SARS officials killing a man in Nigeria’s Delta state region, sparking tens of thousands of protestors to act. Social media has been the tool used by protesters during subsequent deadly clashes with police officials as legacy media outlets fumble their commitments....

How to Add Email Accounts to Windows Live Mail Add new accounts through the interface. Manual Server Settings Select Manually configure server settings and click Next to add an account that’s not recognized. Add the information to connect to the email servers. After you enter those settings, Windows Live should be able to fetch the emails without a problem. Add an Account to Windows Mail On Windows 10, use the Windows Mail app....

How to Expand Steam Deck Storage The Steam Deck is available in three different versions, each of which comes with a different amount of onboard storage. If you opted for the most affordable version, you’ll find that you can only install a handful of games before you run out of room. When that happens, you can expand your storage in these ways: Add an SD card: This easy process can increase your storage by 1 TB or even more with a single micro SD card, or you can swap out multiple smaller micro SD cards....

Windows 10, 8, and 7 Adjusting the color quality setting in Windows may be necessary to resolve issues with the color display on monitors and other output devices like projectors. The place you go to change this setting is the same for anyone whose version of Windows is 10, 8, or 7. Windows Vista If you run Windows Vista, the process is a little different. The fastest way to do this is with the control command in the search or Run dialog box (open that box with the WIN+R shortcut)....