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XREAL Air 2 review: A good entry to the world of spatial computing
A little rough around the edges, though.
Augmented reality (AR) glasses have been around for quite some time, but they're having a bit of a Eureka moment now following the announcement of Apple's Vision Pro headset. I've come across more AR glasses over the last few weeks on my social media feed and in my inbox than I've collectively seen in all these years of covering tech. I am not complaining, though, because many of these new pair of glasses are genuinely impressive. The XREAL Air 2 is definitely one of the more interesting AR glasses out there that enables spatial computing for $400 and no lead times.
Best cases for Apple Watch Ultra 2 in 2023
Even a rugged titanium watch can use some protection from drops and scuffs.
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 looks and feels very similar to the original Apple Watch model. It's also just as durable as the original watch, carrying an IPX6 dust resistance rating and MIL-STD 810H and EN13319 certifications. While that makes it one of the most durable smartwatches out there, it doesn't hurt to add a bit of extra protection to ensure it's well-maintained and works as advertised for a long time.
Can your CPU be too cold?
We often talk about high CPU temperatures, but can your CPU really be too cold?
Nobody likes the sight of an overheating CPU that's throttling and struggling to keep up with its tasks, right? That's why we're in a constant, neverending battle against the CPU, trying to keep its temperatures in check with a capable cooling solution. Thankfully, there are plenty of great CPU coolers that can easily tame the temperatures of even the most demanding CPUs like the new Intel Core i9-14900K, which simply refuses to run cool. But have you ever wondered whether your CPU can run too cold? Well, the simple answer to that question is that there's no such thing as the CPU temperatures being "too cold."
Buying a CPU that comes bundled with a fan or a cooler is one of the easiest ways save money while building a new PC. A processor with bundled cooler is great for casual users who don't plan on overclocking their CPU or push it to its limits with some resource-intensive games or programs. But not all processors ship with a cooler these days, and both Intel and AMD only bundle it with select processors in their catalog. If you are in the market to buy a new processor and are wondering which ones ship with a fan then read on to find.
Best Google Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro chargers, cables, and other accessories in 2023
The Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro don't come with accessories in the box beyond the charging cable, so here are some accessories to boost your experience.
Google's Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro may not be the newest Pixel phones on the market, but they're both still worth considering in 2023. There's to like about them, and they also bring some upgrades their predecessors, but you won't find any accessories besides a cable in their boxes. Google stopped including a charger or a pair of earphones with its Pixel phones a few years back, and the Pixel 7 series phones are no different. So if you're looking to buy a charger or some other accessories to pair with your Google Pixel 7, then you've come to the right place. Let's take a look at the best Pixel 7 chargers, cables, and other accessories that you should consider picking up now.
Best docking stations for 24-inch iMac (M3, 2023) in 2024
Grab one of these docks to make the most of your new M3-powered iMac.
Apple's 24-inch iMac (M3, 2023) is easily one of the best Macs out there in 2023. The much-needed 2023 iMac refresh brings the company's latest silicon chip and faster Wi-Fi to the table, improving an already excellent desktop computer for those who prefer a stationary setup for working from home. I just wish the new 24-inch iMac had more ports, because the current selection is quite limited. You really only have a couple of Thunderbolt ports and a headphone jack, just like its predecessor. It's nothing a Thunderbolt dock can't solve, though, and there are plenty of them available on the market right now.
How to manage passwords with Google
Having trouble managing your passwords? Try Google's Password Manager which is free and easy to use on virtually any device with a Chrome browser.
Using a password manager is a no-brainer in 2023, especially if you happen to have too many online accounts. The best password managers not only secure your passwords, but they also generate unique passwords for you, and allow things like one-tap logins, secure password sharing, and more. There are plenty of reliable password managers out there that can help keep your online accounts safe, but if you're not ready to sign up for one yet, then consider checking out Google Password Manager.
4 telltale signs that it's time to upgrade your PC
You know your PC has some seen better days, so give it the upgrade it deserves.
It's never a bad time to upgrade your PC as newer and more powerful components frequently make their way to the market. There's always some new hardware on the table, but knowing when to actually upgrade your PC is crucial to ensure you're getting the most out of your existing hardware instead of constantly spending your hard-earned money on unnecessary upgrades. Similarly, delaying an inevitable upgrade to save money may result in extreme bottlenecks, causing more harm than good. It's not easy to predict the right time for an upgrade, especially if you don't know your way around PCs, but you can keep an eye out for some telltale signs that tell you when your computer just can't keep up anymore.
8 of XDA's favorite products from October 2023
"Techtober 2023" didn't disappoint, and we got a ton of new favorites last month.
October — or "Techtober" as some call it — is one of the most exciting months of the year for technology enthusiasts. It's also the month that keeps us on our toes as we rush to check out to all the latest and greatest in technology. Of course, not everything that got announced in October landed on our test bench, but we certainly evaluated a lot of exciting tech last month, including laptops, CPUs, PC cases, smartphones, and more.
Best Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 cases in 2023
These are the best available cases you can buy now to protect and freshen up your Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 unit.
Samsung's new Galaxy Z Fold 5 is only an iterative upgrade over its predecessor with just a handful of changes. That makes the Galaxy Z Fold 4 still worth considering in 2023 as there's plenty to like about it. It remains one of the best foldables out there, especially now as it's frequently discounted. It's more fragile than the regular slab phones with no moving parts, though, which is why I recommend getting a case for it. The last thing you want to do is get your device cracked or scratched up with day-to-day usage, right?
Samsung Galaxy Watch 7: Rumors and things we'd like to see
The rumor mills have already churning out some Galaxy Watch 7 series info.
Samsung's Galaxy Watch 6 models are still relatively new but brought stellar hardware to the table. Even its Classic counterpart, with its physical bezel, is one of our favorite smartwatches. However, the Galaxy Watch 6's success hasn't stopped the Galaxy Watch 7 leaks and rumors from flowing in.
Best Pixel Tablet chargers, cables, and accessories in 2023
Grab these accessories to make most of your shiny new Pixel Tablet.
The Pixel Tablet is among the tablets you can buy in 2023, and it's readily available to purchase now from various retailers in the U.S. There's a lot to like about the Pixel Tablet, including its 10.95-inch 2560x1600 LCD panel, the aluminum enclosure with nano-ceramic coating, and more. But what I like the most about this particular tablet is that it comes bundled with the charging speaker dock in the box.
Best CPU fan coolers in 2024
A CPU cooler is one of the most important components of a PC build. These are the best fan coolers for CPU you can buy.
The central processing unit (CPU) is the heart of every PC, be it a laptop or desktop. The latter requires considerably better cooling with certain chips drawing anywhere up to 300W of power. Whether you're putting together a workstation PC in the home office or a gaming rig with the best processor and graphics card available, we'd recommend spending a little more on cooling the chip by picking up the best CPU cooler your budget allows. CPU coolers use either liquid or air (or a combination of both) to cool the processor and in this guide, we'll be looking at CPU air coolers.
The CPU is one of the most important components of a PC. It's essentially the brain of a computer that's composed of one or more cores, and it works in tandem with a bunch of other components to perform the tasks you typically throw at your computer. Without a CPU, you won't have a functional computer. Installing a CPU is a fairly simple task as long as you keep a few important things in mind, but it's far from a simple plug-and-play component.
AMD Fluid Motion Frames nearly doubles the frame rates in games, but there's a catch
AMD's driver-level frame generation lets you win, but at what cost?
Gaming at native resolution is a thing of the past now, as most gamers are taking advantage of upscaling technologies supported by their GPUs these days for a smoother experience. Existing upscaling technologies like Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS) and FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR) are already quite good at delivering a solid experience, but AMD is trying to step things up a bit with its driver-based frame generation solution. I say "trying" because AMD Fluid Motion Frames (AFMF) has yet to reach its final form. In fact, it's still a ways away from being a viable solution for an average consumer.
Best Fractal Design PC cases in 2024
Fractal Design has some of the best PC cases on the market. In this article, we'll take a look at the best Fractal Design cases that are worth buying.
One of the biggest decisions you have to make while building a computer is to pick from the best PC cases for your rig. There are plenty of PC cases to choose from different manufacturers like Corsair, NZXT, etc. We think Fractal Design is also a top pick in the community when it comes to PC cases. The company makes a ton of quality cabinets, so there's a very good chance you'll find one that suits your needs. In this guide, we'll take a look at some of the best Fractal Design PC cases that are worth considering for your next PC build.
Best cloud storage services in 2024
There's no shortage of cloud service providers in the computing world, but here are the ones I recommend checking out in 2023.
The importance and convenience of using cloud storage can't be understated. The best cloud storage services will not only help you save storage space on your phones, laptops, and other devices, but they also act as a safe space to tuck your files away from your physical computer and let you easily share them with others. You can also use these services to collaborate with your colleagues or to access your files across a variety of devices.
Nvidia's GPUs are considered second to none in the enthusiast PC space, and there are plenty of convincing reasons to go with Team Green for your next build. I highlighted a few of those reasons to consider an Nvidia GPU over an AMD one recently, going over things like DLSS and the raw performance of RTX GPUs. AMD graphics cards, however, have also come a long way, and they aren't trailing too far behind in 2023.
Nvidia Broadcast vs AMD Noise Suppression: Which noise removal tool is better?
Two of the best tools you can use to improve your audio in video calls and voice chats.
No setup is complete without a good quality microphone that can deliver crisp and high-quality audio, be it for your Zoom meetings or for simply chatting with your peers in Discord. But even the best microphones on the market aren't enough sometimes to make you sound good through all the background, which is why I always rely on Nvidia's Broadcast tool to ensure my audio sound crisp and clear with no background noise cluttering the audio.
Best USB PD fast chargers for phones and laptops in 2023
Planning to buy a USB PD fast charger for your phone or laptop? We've selected the best USB PD chargers on the market.
Only a handful of smartphone manufacturers bundle their phones with a charger these days, forcing you to go on a hunt to find the best chargers. Thankfully, there is no shortage of chargers on the market, and they're readily available to purchase. It also helps that most modern devices — including many of the best laptops and top smartphones — support USB-PD, meaning you can use a single charger to power all your compatible devices.