Satechi USB-C Hybrid Multiport Adapter doubles as an M.2 SSD enclosure
So, you bought a laptop that only has USB-C ports and now you are regretting it, eh? Yeah, I totally get it -- it's no fun having to buy dongles and adapters to connect your favorite accessories and devices. Even Apple learned its lesson and brought "legacy" ports back to the newest MacBook Pro. Thankfully, there are multiport adapters on the market that can transform a single USB-C port into several useful ports.
Today, Satechi launches its latest such product. Called "USB-C Hybrid Multiport Adapter," the portable dock offers HDMI, dual USB-A, and USB-C pass-through power delivery. But wait, what makes it a hybrid device as the name implies? Ah, that is the coolest aspect -- the adapter also serves as an M.2 solid state enclosure! Unfortunately, only SATA SSDs (such as this one) are compatible -- NVMe drives will not work. Other potential downsides? The adapter does not offer an Ethernet port or an SD card reader.
AKG Ara -- a stylish and versatile USB microphone [Review]
With more and more of us working from home and conducting our business and personal lives via video calls, microphone quality on our devices has become a serious issue.
The in-built mics on laptops are OK but if you want to make presentations or create podcasts, make music, or just make a good impression on Zoom, then you really need something better. Step forward the AKG Ara.
AMD releases patch and Microsoft releases KB5006746 update to fix Windows 11 performance issues
One of the known issues with Windows 11 is reduced performance on some AMD systems, notably Ryzen chips. When Microsoft later released the KB5006674 update, things got even worse for some people.
But with the release of a new insider build last week, Microsoft addressed one of the problems, helping to get performance back to expected levels. Now not only has the company released this as the KB5006746 update for all Windows 11 users, but AMD has issued a patch of its own to fix the second of two performance problems.
Only a third of telcos have a clear 5G strategy
New research from IT services provider NTT DATA UK and research firm teknowlogy Group shows only 35 percent of telcoms companies have a clear strategy in place for rolling out 5G.
This is odd given that 94 percent of the senior business leaders from across Europe interviewed believe that 5G will transform the sector.
Microsoft now lets Windows 11 users set Windows Terminal as the default terminal application
Microsoft has just released Terminal Preview 1.12 and the company proudly proclaims that this release is "HUGE!".
As you would hope and, indeed, expect, the new version brings with it new features, not least of which is the ability to set it as the default terminal emulator. But this far from being the end of the story. There's also windows restoration, full transparency in Windows 11, and a host of fixes.
Counting the cost of ransomware
Ransomware attacks have surged recently and the disruption they can cause to the operation of a business can cost many times more than the ransom.
Education website Cyber Security Degrees has produced an infographic looking at the impact of ransomware and at how businesses can protect themselves.
Best Windows apps this week
Four-hundred-sixty-one in a series. Welcome to this week's overview of the best apps, games and extensions released for Windows 10 and 11 on the Microsoft Store and elsewhere in the past seven days.
Microsoft is testing the Windows 10 November 2021 Update, version 21H2, currently. The next feature update will be released to the stable channel soon. Windows 11 users who run the operating system on AMD powered devices can install an optional patch now to fix performance issues of the system.
Conversational AI and customer experience [Q&A]
These days when you contact a company online it can be hard to know if you're dealing with an actual person or with an AI bot.
Clearly AI has a role to play in automating repetitive tasks and answering straightforward queries. But can it really have a wider role to play in improving customer experience? We spoke to Derek Roberti, VP of technology at Cognigy, a global conversational AI platform provider, to find out.
Microsoft bringing a new Find My Mouse tool and more mouse utilities to PowerToys
Fans of Microsoft's PowerToys have something to look forward to -- there is at least one new utility in the pipeline, very probably several.
Developers are currently working on a Find My Mouse tool which will appear in an upcoming Mouse Utilities section of PowerToys. The new tool will make it easy to locate your mouse cursor on the screen, but there is also the promise of more mouse-related tools in the future.
MX Linux 21 available for download
MX is one of the most popular Linux-based desktop operating systems these days. In fact, according to DistroWatch, it has been consistently achieving the top daily hits, surpassing better-known distributions, such as Ubuntu, Debian, and more.
Today, MX Linux 21 finally becomes available as a stable release. Code-named "Wildflower," the operating system is based on Debian 11 "Bullseye" and uses Linux kernel 5.10. MX 21 is offered with the Fluxbox window manager (1.3.7) or your choice of two popular desktop environments -- KDE Plasma (5.20) and Xfce (4.16). Not sure which environment to choose? The MX-Tour will highlight them so you can make an informed decision.
Microsoft preparing the Windows 10 November 2021 Update (21H2) for release
Although Windows 11 is getting most of the press these days, Windows 10 is still being actively developed and Microsoft is about to release the latest feature update for it.
The software giant believes that Build 19044.1288 is the final build for the Windows 10 November 2021 Update (21H2) and you can download and install it now.
Acer D501 is a pricey Works-With-Chromebook-certified USB-C dock
When a device or accessory is certified as "Works With Chromebook," it means that it will, well... work with Chromebooks. In other words, it is a promise or guarantee that the product is compatible with a computer running Google's Linux-based Chrome OS. With that said, many devices that aren't officially certified will work fine with Chromebooks as well. In fact, you may pay a premium for the "Works With Chromebook" certification when you really don't need to -- it is often nothing more than marketing nonsense.
Today, Acer unveils a Works-With-Chromebook-certified USB-C Dock, and the certification might actually be more than marketing-speak. Called "D501," it looks like your typical USB-C dock, and that is because it pretty much is. What makes it interesting -- other than its compatibility guarantee -- is upgradeable firmware. Yes, you can update the dock itself from within Chrome OS, and that is pretty darn cool. The dock can actually improve over time as Acer puts out updates for it.
How cloud-based file systems can protect your business from ransomware
Ransomware has rapidly become the number-one cyber threat, with attacks becoming more numerous and aggressive -- a trend that’s not likely to change anytime soon. According to a report from SonicWall, during the first half of this year, ransomware attacks in Europe climbed an astonishing 234 percent compared to 2020, while U.S. incidents soared by 185 percent. Worldwide attacks weren’t far behind, up 151 percent from the same period the year before. The attackers are equal-opportunity criminals, striking organizations of all types and sizes nearly every week.
There are several reasons for the steep and steady increase. The surge in remote workers using poorly protected home systems and networks has created many more opportunities for hackers. At the same time, the growing use of cryptocurrencies has made it easier to extort payment. Emboldened by these trends, cybercriminals are becoming more aggressive, threatening to publish sensitive data if targets refuse to fork over the ransom. They’re also demanding more money; research from Unit 42 puts the average ransom payment in 2021 at almost double the prior year.
Take advantage of our special offers on Laplink PCmover and simplify migration to Windows 11
There is a lot of pleasure to be derived from buying a new computer, and this is particularly true when you invest in a machine with a brand new operating system. With Windows 11 having just been released, it's a great time to splash out on a new computer so you can use new hardware to take full advantage of everything Microsoft has crammed into the latest release.
But while exploring and using Windows 11 is great, there is the issue of setting up your new computer. This means installing all of the software you need, moving your files across from your old machine, and configuring all of the settings and personalizations you had put in place. Rather than doing all of this by hand, look no further than Laplink PCmover -- an incredible tool that will help you move everything you need to your new computer. And the great news is that you can save money with our special offers on the software.
One in 10 users click phishing links on mobile platforms
Most web traffic is now associated with users who are mobile, so it's no surprise that hackers are using this to their advantage by crafting attacks specific to mobile platforms.
Clearly this is paying off with as many as one in 10 users clicking on mobile phishing messages according to Apple enterprise management company Jamf's latest Phishing Trends report based on information, statistics and analysis of 500,000 protected devices across 90 countries.
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