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Tuesday, March 31, 2020

'Fortnite' gets a bullet-stopping 'Kingsman' umbrella

Epic's current Fortnite season is focused on secret agents, and that now includes direct references to movies -- if not the ones you're likely to think of first. An update to the battle royale shooter has introduced a Kingsman umbrella that,...

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'Apex Legends' tournaments get a new online-only schedule

Respawn and EA's dreams of establishing Apex Legends as an esports staple aren't going according to plan. The Apex Legends Global Series team is moving its events online "for the time being" due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and that me...

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What's on TV this week: 'The Matrix,' 'Sonic' and 'Star Wars'

This week March finally comes to an end and with the arrival of April, Netflix is adding some new licensed content to its catalog. Not that I don’t like the originals — as long as they keep making more Ozark, I’ll keep subscribing — but this week, be...

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Snapchat’s new lenses use AR to encourage social distancing

Snapchat's latest set of lenses come with a timely reminder of the importance of social distancing. The app introduced two new lenses, created in collaboration with the World Health Organization, that use augmented reality to serve users with tip...

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Atari's latest attempt at milking nostalgia is a 'Pong' RPG

Atari is trying themed hotels, retro consoles and other efforts to reel in nostalgic gamers, but its latest may be its oddest yet: turn Pong into a one-of-a-kind role-playing game. It's developing a Pong Quest game that has you guiding a heroic...

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Delayed 'Resident Evil: Resistance' beta goes live on PC and PS4

After technical issues forced Capcom to delay the Resident Evil: Resistance beta on PC and PlayStation 4, it's now available on those platforms in addition to Xbox One. You'll need to install an update to try it on PS4 and Steam.

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AKG launches new Galaxy Buds rival with ANC, IPX7 water resistance

The earbuds come in black, blue, and silver color variants.

What you need to know

  • Samsung's new AKG N400 true wireless earbuds bring active noise cancellation and IPX7 water resistance.
  • The earbuds are claimed to provide up to 6 hours of playtime, while the charging case can get you additional 6 hours.
  • They are currently listed on Samsung Korea's website for KRW 230,000 ($189).

Late last year, a few rumors had claimed that Samsung's Galaxy Buds+ true wireless earbuds would come equipped with active noise cancellation to take on Apple's AirPods Pro. Sadly, however, those rumors didn't pan out. While Samsung's Galaxy Buds+ cannot quite compete with the AirPods Pro, its AKG brand has now unveiled a pair of true wireless earbuds that not only offer active noise cancellation but are also water resistant.

n terms of battery life, the product page on Samsung's Korea website claims the earbuds can provide up to 6 hours of playtime on a single charge. The case can charge the earbuds once, which means you can get a total of 12 hours of playtime. With ANC turned on, however, the earbuds will only provide up to 5 hours of playtime.

The AKG N400 also come with capacitive touch panels, beamforming technology for crystal clear call quality, Qi wireless charging, and quick charging support. In addition to controlling audio playback and switch between different listening modes, thee touch panels also let you access popular virtual assistants such as Google Assistant and Siri.

The new AKG N400 true wireless earbuds have been priced at KRW 230,000 ($189) in South Korea, making them more expensive than the Galaxy Buds+. Even though there is no official confirmation yet, we expect the AKG N400 to make their way to several markets outside South Korea in the coming weeks.

Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus

$150 at Samsung

Samsung's Galaxy Buds+ may not offer active noise cancellation, but they are still among the best true wireless earbuds currently on sale. They offer great sound quality, excellent battery life, and happen to be reasonably priced.



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UCSF app wants to use your biometric data to track the spread of coronavirus

A new UC San Francisco initiative will give you a way to help advance our understanding of the coronavirus pandemic, even if you're not a scientist or a medical professional. The COVID-19 Citizen Science project welcomes contributions from anyone ove...

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Synology makes VPN Plus free, rolls out prizes for World Backup Day

Synology is providing free perpetual licenses to its VPN Plus service until September 30.

What you need to know

  • Synology is making VPN Plus licenses free until September 30 to facilitate small businesses working from home.
  • VPN Plus lets Synology routers create a VPN server that can be used on phones and other devices.
  • The company is celebrating World Backup Day by giving away $7,000 worth of NAS enclosures and storage devices.

Synology is offering free perpetual licenses to its VPN Plus service to make it easier for small businesses to work from home. VPN Plus is a service that runs on Synology's routers — the RT1900ac, RT2600ac, and MR2200ac — and lets users set up a custom VPN server.

VPN Plus works with a host of VPN protocols, including OpenVPN, L2TP/IPSec, WebVPN, SSL, SSTP, and PPTP. Synology is giving away free licenses starting April 6 until September 30, and all licenses redeemed during this time will be perpetual and won't incur any additional costs after the promotion runs out.

Each router comes with one free client access license, and the RT1900ac and MR2200ac can facilitate 10 users at a time, with that number going up to 20 for the RT2600ac.

March 31 is World Backup Day, and Synology is giving away $7,000 worth of prizes. All you need to do is go to Synology's website, participate in the quiz or share your backup story. Synology is giving away DS218+ NAS enclosures along with 1TB WD hard drives and 1TB of cloud storage in Synology C2 to five winners taking part in the quizzes and surveys on its site.

For those sharing their backup story, Synology has three DS918+ NAS enclosures furnished with a 960GB IronWolf 510 SSD, 16TB IronWolf Pro hard drive, and free 1TB of storage on Synology C2. The contest isn't live just yet, but the page contains stories from 2019 entries if you're looking for ideas.

Participate in Synology's World Backup Day giveaway

The new leader

Synology RT2600ac

$200 at Amazon

The best router money can buy today

The RT2600ac delivers rock-solid Wi-Fi connectivity to all corners of your house. But its standout feature is the web-based OS that makes it much more extensible than your average router. From running a media server to your own VPN client, the RT2600ac has a host of features that make it an excellent option.



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Monday, March 30, 2020

I went to a sneaker launch in VR because of the coronavirus

If you're launching a new product, you normally want to put on a show with a sprinkling of razzle and plenty of dazzle. That means getting journalists and fans into a big room, trotting out your wares and letting everyone play with the new toys. Unfo...

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How to watch Keeping Up With The Kardashians live stream online anywhere

California's most famous family is back and we'll show you how to watch all the drama online

If you're looking for something to keep you entertained while stuck at home, then you're in luck as one of the longest running reality TV shows, Keeping Up With The Kardashians (KUWTK), is back for its 18th season and we'll show you exactly how to watch every episode online or on TV from anywhere in the world.

Whether you're a long-time fan or haven't even watched the show, you've probably heard about the drama and antics of the Kardashian family. Back in 2007, Kourtney, Kim and Khloé Kardashian along with their half-sisters Kendall and Kylie Jenner first appeared in their own reality TV show. The show, which was developed by executive producer Ryan Seacrest, has kept fans of the family entertained for years now and Season 18 looks to be packed with the drama and conflict you've come to expect from the Kardashians.

Season 17 of KUWTK ended with Kourtney Kardashian's decision to step back from the show to focus on her young family. Thankfully though, Kourtney will once again be joining the cast but her relationship with Kim is still strained as the two were seen getting into it in the Season 18 trailer. Fights among the sisters are a common occurrence on the show and this likely won't be the last time the two get into an altercation in the latest season.

Whether you're a fan of Kourtney, Kim, Khloé, Kendall, Kylie or even Kanye West, Keeping Up With The Kardashians has a bit of something for everyone and will help take your mind off our current situation. Keep reading to find out how to watch or live stream Keeping Up With The Kardashians from wherever you are in the world.

Keeping Up With The Kardashians Season 18: Where and when?

The premiere of Season 18 of Keeping Up With The Kardashians aired on Thursday, March 26 on E! and new episodes of the reality TV series will air every Thursday at 8 p.m. ET/PT. If this season follows the same format as the past two seasons, expect there to be 12 episodes of Keeping Up With The Kardashians in Season 18.

Watch Keeping Up With The Kardashians from outside your country

You'll find all the details on how to watch Keeping Up With The Kardashians in the US, Canada, UK and Australia further down in this guide. However, if you want to watch the latest season of the reality TV series when you're away from home, then you'll run into problems and your domestic coverage online from abroad will likely be geo-blocked.

That's where a VPN (Virtual Private Network) can really come in handy. They allow you to virtually change the IP address of your laptop, tablet or mobile to one that's back in your home country which will let you watch as if you were back there.

VPNs are incredibly easy to use and have the added benefit of providing you with an additional layer of security when surfing the web. There are also a lot of options but we recommend ExpressVPN as our top pick due to its speed, security and ease of use. The service can even be used on a wide array of operating systems and devices (e.g. iOS, Android, Smart TVs, Fire TV Stick, Roku, game consoles, etc). Sign up for ExpressVPN now and enjoy a 49% discount and 3 months FREE with an annual subscription. You can even test it out for yourself thanks to the service's 30-day money back guarantee. Looking for more options? Here are some other VPNs that are on sale right now.

ExpressVPN

See latest price at ExpressVPN

No matter where in the world you may be, a VPN is one of the easiest ways to watch the latest season of Keeping Up With The Kardashians. Get in on this deal now!

How to watch Keeping Up With The Kardashians in the U.S. exclusively on E!

If you live in the US and have a cable subscription, you'll be able to watch Keeping Up With The Kardashians on E! every Thursday at 8 p.m. ET/PT. If you'd rather stream the show online, you can do so on NBC, as it owns the network, but you will have to login using the credentials from your cable provider. Alternatively, you can also sign up for an NBCUniversal profile which will give you three free credits which you can use to watch three episodes of Keeping Up With The Kardashians after they've aired. At this time, there is no way to get additional credits but if you want to watch a few episodes for free, this isn't a bad option.

Not interested in signing up for an expensive cable subscription just to watch the latest season of Keeping Up With The Kardashians? Don't worry as there are several streaming services, all available at different price points, that will give you access to E! so that you can watch the show online.

  • Hulu with Live TV - $44.99 per month - Hulu with Live TV gives you access to E! and 66 other live TV channels. You can also watch the service's own Hulu Originals as well as record up to 50 hours of live TV with its Cloud DVR storage.
  • fuboTV - $54.99 per month - fuboTV's standard plan includes E! as well as over 90 other live TV channels. You also get the ability to watch two streams simultaneously and record up to 30 hours of content using the service's cloud DVR feature.
  • Sling TV - $20 for the first month - SlingTV's Sling Blue package lets you watch E! and 46 other live TV channels. It has an introductory price of $20 for the first month and then goes up to $30 per month afterwards but the service also allows you to watch up to three streams simultaneously.
  • AT&T TV Now - $65 per month - AT&T TV Now has a higher price tag than most streaming services but this is because your plan also includes HBO. The service allows you to watch over 45 TV channels including E! and you can also record up to 20 hours of content using its cloud DVR.
  • YouTube TV - $49.99 per month - YouTube TV lets you watch over 70 channels online including E! and you can even record up to 9 months of content using its DVR feature. With YouTube TV, you can also create up to six accounts to share your plan with your family and three streams can be watched simultaneously.

Hulu with Live TV is a great overall option

In addition to giving you access to ABC (in select areas) so you can easily keep up with American Idol this season, Hulu with Live TV also lets you watch over 60 other channels and a library of on-demand TV shows and movies. You get a personal DVR to record shows for later and can access the streaming platform from a variety of devices including your phone, tablet, Roku, Fire TV, Xbox and more.

Hulu

$55 a month at Hulu

Watch all the drama of the Kardashians unfold right before your eyes with Hulu. Once you're done with the Kardashains, you can check out other shows like The Voice, Survivor, and more.

Live stream Keeping Up With The Kardashians in Canada

Canadian fans of Keeping Up With The Kardashians will be able to watch the latest season of the show on E! as many of the country's cable packages include the channel. Just like in the US, new episodes will air on Thursday at 8p.m. ET/PT.

If you're not a cable subscriber and would rather just stream the show online, then the reality TV streaming service Hayu has you covered. It costs just $5.99 per month and there is even a one month free trial available so you can watch Keeping Up With The Kardashians, Top Chef, The Real Housewives of Atlanta and many other popular shows.

How to stream Keeping Up With The Kardashians in the UK

If you're a cable subscriber in the UK, you'll likely already be able to watch Keeping Up With The Kardashians as Sky, Virgin Media and many other cable packages include the channel. However, unlike in the US and Canada, Keeping Up With The Kardashians airs on Sundays at 9p.m. BST so you will have to avoid spoilers online after an episode airs in North America.

If you're not interested in signing up for an expensive cable TV subscription, the reality TV streaming service Hayu is also available in the UK. It costs just £4.99 per month and the first month is free which should give you plenty of time to test out the service for yourself to watch Season 18 of Keeping Up With The Kardashians.

Additionally you can also watch the show by purchasing a monthly pass from Now TV for £8.99 and the service will show the latest season as it airs but you can also catch up on past seasons as well.

Live stream Keeping Up With The Kardashians in Australia

As is the case in Canada and the UK, many Australian cable packages include E! but you will have to check to make sure yours does if you're already a cable subscriber. Australian fans of Keeping Up With The Kardashians will be happy to know that they won't have to wait all weekend to watch the show like in the UK as new episodes will air every Friday at 7:30 p.m. AEDT.

If you'd rather just stream the latest season online, then once again, the reality TV streaming service Hayu has you covered. In Australia, it costs AUD $6.99 per month but there is a one month free trial so you can test it out for yourself.



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NBA reportedly plans 'players-only' 2K tournament that will air on ESPN

The NBA already has an official esports league with various teams represented, but with the live basketball season on hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic, it's reportedly about to put real NBA players on the sticks. Yahoo Sports reporter Chris Hay...

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AT&T will give users an extra 15GB of mobile hotspot data

AT&T is still expanding its offerings to keep people online during the COVID-19 outbreak. Between April 2nd and May 13t, it's adding an extra 15GB of mobile hotspot data to every line on unlimited plans that have a monthly tethering allowance....

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Google Hangouts Meet vs. Skype for Business: Which is best?

For G Suite Users

Google Hangouts Meet

Starting at $6 per month/per user at Google

Pros

  • Works on all platforms
  • Send files and images through chat
  • Share screen features
  • No extra charge for all-ins

Cons

  • G Suite account required to be an organizer
  • Mac users may be dropped during meetings

Google Hangouts Meets is simple to use and allows employees to easily connect across time zones. It's compatible with most devices and has packages that allow live-streaming of meetings and events.

For Office 365 Users

Skype for Business

Starting at $2 per month/per user at Microsoft

Pros

  • Compatible with both Mac and Windows
  • Use chat to send and receive files
  • Share your screen for interactive presentations
  • Background blur

Cons

  • Some tools only available to those inside the U.S.
  • Extra charge for call-in participants

This video conferencing program has collaboration tools including a virtual whiteboard and has background blur capabilities. It integrates with Outlook to make it easy to create or join a meeting.

Google and Microsoft have program-specific video conferencing software available if you subscribe to their programs — G Suites for Google Hangouts Meet and Office 365 for Skype for Business. Each program has the necessary tools to organize virtual meetings with both video and audio participants, along with collaboration tools and administrative features. Both have advantages over the other. Here's a breakdown of everything you need to know about each video conferencing program.

Comparing programs

Both Google Hangouts Meet and Skype for Business have several of the same tools available that let you organize business meetings while you work from your home including tools for collaborating, screen sharing and breakout rooms. Skype for Business does offer background blur, while Google Hangouts Meet integrates with both Gmail and Outlook accounts. The differences come within the programs themselves. Having used both, I find Google Hangouts Meet a little more intuitive and easier to use.

Google Hangouts Meet Skype for Business
Max participants 250 250
Share screen
Breakout rooms
Closed caption
Call-in fee
Blur background
Email integration Gmail, Outlook Outlook

What you need to know about Google Hangouts Meet

To get started, you need a G Suite account. This gives you access to all of Google's business apps, including Google Hangouts Meet. With this program, it's easy to set up a meet, create multiple rooms, and invite participants through an email invite. Because this program integrates with both Gmail and Outlook, for those that accept the invite, the event is automatically placed on their calendar and reminders set. When you invite people to join your meeting, Hangouts Meet taps into your Gmail contact list making it easier to find everyone and send out a single invite. Anyone who isn't listed can be added using their email address, even non-Gmail users, and the information saved for future meetings.

Before starting, or joining a video conference, Google Hangouts Meet lets you double-check your video and audio. It tapes into your device's speakers, microphone and webcam, but you can use free-standing equipment as well. This is also convenient in ensuring you look good and don't have any issues with too much lighting, scratchy audio, or distractions in the background. As the host, you have the option to share your screen with everyone, including videos and slide presentations. And you can send photos and files through the chat features.

Everyone in attendance can mute themselves or turn off their webcam during the meeting, and we have found that Google supports every platform, every device regardless of where you are located, including in other countries from where the presenter is located. However, Mac uses tend to be dropped more often from the program during meetings than Windows and Android users.

Google Hangouts Meet has three different tiers available. Its Basic package lets you host a maximum of 100 people while its Enterprise package allows 250 people to attend. Basic doesn't allow you to record your meetings or save them to your Google Drive. It also doesn't allow live streaming of your meetings where Enterprise does.

All about Skype for Business

Skype for Business has the same great tools and features found in Google Hangouts Meet. You can host up to 250 participants depending on the package you purchase. It integrates with Outlook for quick, one-click access to the app, and allows several people to have administrative control during the meeting. You can create breakout rooms for team-building exercises and send files and work materials through the chat feature. Skype records your meetings and saves it, along with all materials shared through chat, for 30 days. And you can use chat on any device, including mobile phones and tablets.

One neat feature included with Skype for Business is its background blur. This lets your coworkers focus on you rather than other people, artwork or other distractions behind you. Skype taps into your device's webcam and uses its audio during your meetings, but it is possible to hook up and separate microphone, webcam or speakers and use them along with Skype.

As with Google Hangouts Meet, Skype has several package levels available. Its most basic package lets you use Skype for free, but it caps you at 20 people and doesn't have as many features including record meetings. This is because you don't need to sign up for an account before using it and is best for spur of the moment check-ins rather than scheduled, regular meetups. Skype Meetings is also free, lets you connect with 10 people for the first two months, and then three people after that, but is only available in the United States. As with the basic package, you have limited tools and no recording capabilities. Both of these programs support call-ins, but you will be charged a per-user fee.

Skype for Business also charges call-in fees on top of a per month per user fee. This can get expensive when you have several people using the service. But you do get better security, recording and saving capabilities, collaboration tools like a collaborative whiteboard and administrative management tools.

Comparing packages and pricing

There is a difference between the overall cost of Google Hangouts Meet and Skype for Business. Since Meet is included with G Suite, you can have access to it for the monthly subscription cost of $6 per user per month for the most basic package. The nice thing about this program is if you invite someone to join a meeting and they don't have a G Suite account, they can still join as a guest at no cost. Unfortunately, to join weekly meetings, they will ultimately need a G Suite subscription. As part of your meeting set up, Google gives you a toll-free call-in number for those who can't join via video. There is no extra cost charged by Google for those who call-in.

Skype for Business is an add-on program to Microsoft Office 365 subscriptions. The cost of this add-on is $2 per user per month. This is in addition to the cost of your Office 365 subscription. Skype also charges an additional $2 per person calling into the meeting rather than joining the video conference. This includes both guests and those with a subscription. Depending on how often someone needs to call in, this extra fee could end up costing more than a G Suite account. There is a program available that lets you prepay for calling credit to use towards call-in fees.

Wrapping it up: Final thoughts

Both Google Hangouts Meet and Skype for Business have several of the same tools available that let you organize business meetings from your home including tools for collaborating, screen sharing and breakout rooms. Skype for Business does offer background blur, while Google Hangouts Meet integrates with both Gmail and Outlook accounts. The difference comes within the programs themselves, and overall personal preference.

Having used both, and several other video conferencing programs, I find Google Hangouts Meet more intuitive and easier to use. Other users I've chatted with have also given feedback that Google Hangouts Meet is easier for those who don't regularly use video conferencing software to jump on and use, including those overseas trying to reach co-workers in other countries. In reality, Skype for Business is just as effective.

For G Suite Users

Google Hangouts Meet

Connect with people across continents.

Starting at $6 per month/per user at Google

This easy-to-use program integrates with multiple email apps and is good for connecting with co-workers across the globe.

For Office 365 Users

Skype for Business

Good for a quick check-in with colleagues.

Starting at $2 per month/per user at Microsoft

This program records meetings and saves them, along with shared files, for up to 30 days. It includes a virtual whiteboard.



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How to fix slow Wi-Fi at home: Tips for your router, computer, and phone

There are a few things you can do to get better wireless performance from your router.

If you're working from home for the first time, it can be a lot to get used to. It's easy to feel isolated and overwhelmed, and the last thing you want to deal with is an unreliable internet connection. A stable Wi-Fi signal is an absolute necessity when you're working from home, and it's particularly infuriating when you're in the middle of a video call and your router decides to glitch out.

Facing issues with your router or aren't getting the bandwidth you're paying for? There are a few things you can do to make things better. Let's get started.

See if you're actually getting the advertised speeds

Before we begin, the first thing you should do is see what sort of bandwidth you're actually getting from your router. Go to a site like Fast.com, measure the bandwidth, and see if it lines up with what you should get. Fast is owned by Netflix, and is a good indicator of the actual bandwidth that's being delivered to your device.

One point to note here is that you'll never get the advertised bandwidth over Wi-Fi. I have a Gigabit plan, but over Wi-Fi I don't get 600Mbps or more at any given time on any device. That's because Wi-Fi signals attenuate over distances, and even if you're sitting just a few feet away from your router, you're not going to see the full bandwidth quoted by your service provider.

The only solution to get the bandwidth you're paying for is going the wired route. I have an Ethernet cable plugged into my work machine, and the other end connects to a switch that's then plugged into the router. That way, I get the full Gigabit throughput without any latency.

Another factor to note is that it isn't just bandwidth you should pay attention to, but also the latency. High ping times will lead to noticeable lag when gaming and buffering when streaming video. If you're seeing low bandwidth that doesn't line up with what you're meant to be getting, there are a few things you can do.

Move your router to higher ground

The first thing to do if you're facing connectivity issues on your router is move it to a new location. The ideal location for a router is high up on a wall, as that way its signal doesn't bounce off nearby objects. Ideally, your router should be at a central location in your house that's not close to any large metal objects or other electronics. If that's not possible, at least make sure you mount it high up on a wall. All routers come with brackets so that they can be mounted to the wall for better signal coverage.

You'll immediately notice a difference once you switch the router to a new location. The fewer objects in the way, the better wireless signal you'll get from your router. If you've ever noticed routers at malls or in your office, you would've seen that they're mounted on the ceiling. This is done to maximize the coverage.

If you're seeing dead zones in your house where there's no Wi-Fi signal at all, consider mounting your router on a wall and it should alleviate the issue.

Update your firmware

This is an easy step, but one that's often overlooked. Routers get updates once every few weeks, but you have to manually install the new firmware. This isn't an issue with newer router or mesh system as they automatically update firmware, but if you're using an older router this is one of the first things you should do.

To install the update, head to your router's administration interface. For most consumer routers, it will either be 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.50.1. If you have a newer router that has a mobile client, you can also install a firmware update from there.

Use a Wi-Fi analyzer to minimize interference

One of the biggest issues with modern Wi-Fi routers is signal interference. Everyone has a Wi-Fi router in their home, and with all routers using similar frequencies, these channels tend to get crowded. Thankfully, you can use a free utility like NetX Network Tools to find what channels are being used, and switch your router to another channel to minimize interference.

NetX has a paid version that offers more insights, but if you're just looking to get a better idea of what channels your Wi-Fi router is broadcasting on, you should be fine with the free client.

With NetX, you can easily make out if signals from other Wi-Fi sources are interfering with your own router. Most routers come with two bands — a 2.4GHz band that has great range but limited bandwidth, and a 5GHz band with limited range but significantly more bandwidth. NetX shows you all the Wi-Fi signals in your vicinity, and you can also see the bands.

As you can see in the screenshots above, my router is broadcasting on channel 1 over the 2.4GHz band (The Shire). The second screenshot shows the interference from other Wi-Fi networks in the vicinity, and you can see that even though they're not necessarily broadcasting on the same channel, there is still a lot of overlap. Ideally, you'll want to choose between channels 1, 6, or 11, picking the channel that has the least amount of interference based on the data that NetX provides.

This isn't as big an issue on the 5GHz band as there's more overhead. My router is using channel 157 on the 5GHz band (Minas Tirith — I like LOTR a lot), and there's no interference on that particular band.

To change the channels for both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, you'll need to log in to your router's administration interface at 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.50.1, go to the Wireless or Internet settings, and choose a channel. You'll have to do this individually for both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands.

Using a tool like NetX to measure interference and fine-tuning the frequencies of your Wi-Fi signal will go a long way in delivering better speeds.

Use QoS to prioritize traffic

Most routers these days offer a Quality of Service feature that lets you prioritize traffic for a particular device. If you play a lot of games on your console and want to minimize lag, you can assign it a higher priority.

To do so, you'll once again have to head to your router's administration interface at 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.50.1, select QoS and select your devices. Some routers let you prioritize a service — like video streaming or gaming — making it that much easier to set things up.

You can see a noticeable difference in bandwidth by removing channel interference and moving your router to a new location, but there are scenarios where you just can't eliminate dead zones in your house. In those cases, you're better off buying a mesh Wi-Fi system that can deliver a reliable wireless signal to all parts of your house.

But if your main issue is related to bandwidth, the measures outlined above should make a difference. If you're still facing issues, let us know in the comments below.

The best out there

Synology RT2600ac

$200 at Amazon $215 at Walmart

In a class of its own

If you want the best standalone router money can buy, the RT2600ac is the way to go. With four high-gain antennas and MU-MIMO, the router delivers excellent Wi-Fi coverage throughout your house. The robust web interface lets you easily configure parental controls, set up a VPN, and you can also use the router as a media server.

Truly great

Eero Mesh Wi-Fi System

$199 at Amazon $200 at Best Buy

Get reliable Wi-Fi everywhere

Eero's mesh Wi-Fi system delivers stellar coverage in all parts of your home, with the 3-pack able to cover homes up to 5,000 square feet. It takes less than 10 minutes to set up, the system updates itself automatically, and you get easy-to-manage configuration settings and parental controls.



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Apple Music's Come Together space puts its upbeat playlists in one place

Building on the AI-generated Get Up! Mix the company unveiled last week, Apple is now adding a new section to Apple Music called Come Together that features a variety of playlists designed to help you get through long days stuck inside. In all, there...

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Anker's Nebula Mars II projector is the perfect buy for nights in

Anker's Nebula Mars II is a portable projector that lets you bring a screen pretty much anywhere you go, and now that it's on sale for just $349.99 at Woot, it's worth some serious consideration for all of the evenings you're about to spend at home. At $150 off, today's deal marks one of the best prices this projector has ever had; it more commonly sells for $500. You've only got until the end of the day or until sold out to score this saving, though.

Anker's Nebula Mars II projector is capable of creating an HD picture with up to 1280 x 720 resolution and features 300 ANSI lm brightness and 720p DLP IntelliBright technology for an improved image. Its integrated dual 10W audio drivers offer powerful sound, and there's even an autofocus feature that will enhance the picture automatically whenever the projector is moved to a new location.

Thanks to Android 7.1 built-in, you can easily stream content from services like Netflix, Hulu, and YouTube without needing a separate streaming device like the Amazon Fire TV Stick, as well as newer streaming services like Disney+ and Apple TV+. You'll need that access because a lot of those services don't allow themselves to be screencast from a device to a projector like this.

Compared to the original model, the Mars II adds an extra hour of run time, the auto-focus feature mentioned above, and comes with a lower price tag. Our review of the device can illuminate a few more of its pros and cons if you're searching for more information.

Shipping at Woot costs $6 per order, though you can save on this fee by logging in with your Amazon Prime account. If you're not yet a Prime member, start a free 30-day trial today and you'll not only get free shipping at Woot but also earn free two-day shipping at Amazon as well as access to perks like the Prime Video streaming service, exclusive members-only discounts, and more.



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Kickstart your smart home with this one-day sale on Amazon devices

You're probably well aware of Alexa even if you're yet to add a smart speaker to your home. Whether you're just getting started with smart home stuff or want to have access to Alexa's smarts in more rooms, this one-day sale on Amazon Echo devices at Woot is for you. Almost all of the devices are offered in new condition which means the only thing you're missing out on is paying full price. The Echo Show 8 on sale is offered open-box which means they have a shorter warranty, though they remain unused. Shipping is free if you use your Amazon Prime account, otherwise it's $6.

Possibly the best deal in the sale is on the latest Echo Dot. The 3rd-gen model goes for up to $50 at Amazon, but is down to only $24.99 today at Woot. With the Echo Dot you can control your smart home gear, as well as have measurements converted, find out the local weather, set timers, stream music, and more. If you're already all-in on Echo hardware, it's totally worth adding Alexa to more rooms in your home with this deal. If you want an Alexa device with a screen, check out the deal on Amazon's Echo Show 8 which takes $50 off its regular price. At $79.99, it's a steal though it comes with a 90-day Woot warranty rather than a 1-year warranty from Amazon due to it being open-box.

The sale also incliudes security camera options like the Amazon Cloud Cam. It's 58% off at just $49.99 which is the lowest we've seen it go. This indoor camera has notifications for when it spots activity, a 1080p HD video stream, night vision, two-way audio, and much more. You have access to the last 24 hours of motion alert clips for free and the free Cloud Cam app will push notifications based on the settings you select. Also, the Amazon Cloud Cam can now respond to specific sounds, such as a baby's crying or glass breaking. Blink XT camera systems are on sale too, though these have mostly sold out already.

Of course, both the Cloud Cam and Blink XT system links into your Alexa-based smart home system perfectly allowing you to use your Echo devices to arm or disarm the cameras, view live video, use two-way audio, and more.

Be sure to check out the entire sale at Woot and add some more smart devices to your home for less while you still can. The sale ends tonight or when sold out.



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'HQ Trivia' makes a surprise return

HQ Trivia -- the once-popular mobile game that turned your random knowledge into a few bucks -- abruptly shut down earlier this year after an investment deal fell through. As such, players that still had the app on their phones were probably surprise...

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Square Enix will ship 'Final Fantasy VII Remake' early to some countries

Final Fantasy VII Remake is one of Square Enix's most-anticipated releases ever, and after already pushing the game's launch date back a month, it's run into another hiccup: disruption caused by the global coronavirus outbreak means that some players...

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Samsung's new entry-level phone has a hole-punch screen, 5000mAh battery

The latest addition to Samsung's entry-level lineup.

What you need to know

  • Samsung has quietly announced the Galaxy M11, its latest entry-level smartphone.
  • The Galaxy M11 comes with a hole-punch display and has a triple-camera array on the back.
  • It is expected to go on sale in select global markets soon, although Samsung hasn't revealed the phone's price yet.

Earlier this month, Samsung announced the Galaxy M21, a budget phone featuring 48MP triple cameras and a huge 6,000mAh battery. The company has now quietly introduced the Galaxy M11, a new entry-level phone that succeeds last year's Galaxy M10.

Unlike the Galaxy M21, which has a U-shaped notch at the top, the Galaxy M11 features a hole-punch display with HD+ resolution. Unsurprisingly, Samsung hasn't revealed the name of the chipset powering the phone yet. As per the phone's spec sheet on the Samsung UAE website, it runs on an octa-core processor clocked at 1.8 GHz. The phone will be available in two versions – 3GB/32GB and 4GB/64GB.

In the camera department, the Galaxy M11 is a decent upgrade over its predecessor. The triple-camera array on the back of the phone includes a 13MP main camera, 5MP ultra-wide-angle lens, and a 2MP depth sensor. For selfies, the phone has an 8MP sensor housed within the hole-punch cutout in the top-left corner of the display.

Samsung's latest entry-level phone also promises great battery life, thanks to a large 5,000mAh battery with 15W fast charging support. It comes with a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor as well, a feature not present on the Galaxy M10. The phone will ship with Android 10 out of the box. Unfortunately, however, Samsung is yet to confirm exactly when the phone will start shipping. Its pricing too, hasn't been revealed as of yet.

Samsung Galaxy A10e

$130 at Samsung

Samsung's entry-level Galaxy A10e offers a 5.83-inch edge-to-edge Infinity Display, an 8MP rear camera, good battery life, and expandable storage.



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OnePlus 8 launch event to go ahead as planned as camera details leak out

The OnePlus 8 Pro will feature the same 48MP main camera as the OPPO Find X2 Pro.

What you need to know

  • Official renders of the upcoming OnePlus 8 have surfaced.
  • In addition to the renders, detailed camera specs for the Pro model have been leaked as well.
  • Even though OnePlus is yet to confirm a launch date, CEO Pete Lau has confirmed in a tweet that the OnePlus 8 series will be introduced "soon."

A massive leak last week revealed almost all the key specs of the upcoming OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro smartphones. More detailed camera specs for the OnePlus 8 Pro have now leaked, along with official renders showing off the OnePlus 8 in three color variants.

The OnePlus 8 Pro will have a quad-camera setup at the rear, featuring the same Sony IMX689 primary sensor with an f/1.78 aperture lens as OPPO's Find X2 Pro. Joining the 48MP primary sensor will be a 48MP Sony IMX586 sensor with an ultra-wide-angle lens boasting a 120-degree field-of-view. The 8MP telephoto lens will offer 3x optical zoom, along with 30x digital zoom. Additionally, the phone will also feature a 5MP "color filter." Along with the upgraded camera hardware, Agarwal claims the upcoming flagship will come with a new night portrait mode, '3-HDR' video, cinematic effects, and improved OIS.

The leaked renders shared by WinFuture give us a clear look at the stunning "Interstellar Glow" color variant of the OnePlus 8. For consumers who like to keep things understated, the standard OnePlus 8 will also be offered in "Onyx Black" and "Glacial Green."

While several rumors have claimed that the OnePlus 8 series phones could make their global debut on April 15, OnePlus hasn't confirmed a date just yet. However, OnePlus CEO Pete Lau has now confirmed that the phones will be announced "soon." Lau added that the launch date was pushed back thrice due to coronavirus concerns, but the company has now decided to "move forward."

Get More OnePlus 7

OnePlus 7 Pro

From $670 at OnePlus



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