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Showing posts from November, 2024

You Can Use Gemini to Build Google Home Automations, but Should You?

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Smart devices, on their own, are nifty, but one-note. You can turn things on or off, adjust volume or brightness, or tell your vacuum where to go. But automations are what make smart homes awesome: you network your devices together, create dependencies, and set up if/this, then/that scenarios to automatically execute tasks. Building these automations always takes a little finesse, but now, Google's Gemini AI offers to set up automations for you. When I tested this new feature, I hoped it was for the layman who might be intimidated by the basic automation creation flow. What I found, instead, was a feature intended for advanced users who want to dive into using a new tool called the the script editor (Google's tool for writing custom automations). Most users won't have automations that require more than the standard home automation wizard that has always existed, meaning they won't need to crack open the script editor or get Gemini's help here—which is great, beca

You Can Get This Lenovo IdeaPad 5i for $580 Right Now

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You can get this Lenovo IdeaPad 5i laptop on sale for $579.99 right now (reg. $1,069.99) while supplies last. This 2-in-1 laptop is a top choice for remote workers: it comes with a laptop mode that uses an Intel Core i7 10-core processor, 16GB of RAM, and Windows 11 Home, and a tablet mode that highlights its 16-inch touchscreen. It also has a 1TB SSD, fingerprint reader for quick log-ins, and a webcam with a privacy shutter. This laptop is 45% off because it’s an open-box model—a customer return in new condition, in clean packaging, and backed by a 1-year warranty. You can get this Lenovo IdeaPad 5i laptop on sale for $579.99 right now (reg. $1,069.99), though prices can change at any time and quantities are limited.  * This article was originally published here

My Favorite Amazon Deal of the Day: The Amazon Fire Max 11 Tablet

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Fire tablets have been around since 2014 and have improved dramatically over the years while still maintaining their budget-friendly status. The Amazon Fire Max 11 tablet offers the biggest screen in the Fire Tablet lineup—and right now, you can get it for $159.99 (originally $279.99); or spend a little more for the Fire Max 11 bundle , which comes with the official keyboard, stylus, and cover, for $279.99 (originally $404.97). The standalone tablet marks the lowest price it has sold for, after checking price-tracking tools . Vivid 11” display, all-in-one for streaming, reading, and gaming, 14-hour battery life... Amazon Fire Max 11 tablet

How to Speak With a Real Person at Amazon Customer Service

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Amazon is one of the biggest retailers in the world, and that can make it quite challenging to shove past the FAQs, user forums, and Reddit threads to actually talk to a human over the phone. As you probably already know from trying to contact someone on Amazon's "Contact Us" page, there is no direct number to call. That's by design. Luckily, there are other quicker ways to get a hold of someone who can listen to your specific issues, which may be helpful to keep in mind as its Black Friday deals roll in . Get a super fast callback from Amazon Amazon doesn't like you calling directly, but that won't stop us. The quickest way is to use this link to enter your number and have them call you right away, but if that doesn't work, try these steps to get Amazon to call you fast: Visit Amazon's Contact Us page Select Something Else Select I need more help Say " Request a phone call" from the customer service chat Respond " Yes " Select

The Apple Vision Pro Is One of the Worst Headsets for Gaming

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Apple really wanted the Apple Vision Pro to take over the VR landscape when it released earlier this year, but after months of returns and rumors of delays for follow-ups , it’s clear that demand isn’t quite living up to expectations. One potential reason for the problem? Well, the $3,500 price tag. But aside from that? The Vision Pro has yet to prove itself as a gaming device. VR headsets and gaming go hand in hand Since the very first Oculus Rift launched back in 2016, current consumer VR technology has always been deeply intertwined with gaming. One of the most prominent VR headsets in the space right now is PlayStation branded , and despite Meta’s attempts to push the Quest family of devices as being useful for anything from work to fitness , the company’s headsets still come with motion tracking, console-like controllers and plenty of big-budget exclusive games . This sort of support helps give a headset broader appeal and a sense of having “killer apps” that give you a reason

Amazon Is Saying Goodbye to Freevee

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Streaming services are finding new ways to make sure we spend more money than ever, like cracking down on password sharing . But not all streaming services charge an arm and a leg for their content. In fact, there's a decent list of options that are totally free of charge (and legal, at that). Among those is Amazon's Freevee, a way to watch shows and movies without worrying about your wallet—at least, it used to be. On Tuesday, we learned Amazon plans to shut down Freevee over the next few weeks , a move that may surprise casual fans, but not others who saw the writing on the wall. The service, as its name implied, offered content to users for free, supported by ad breaks throughout shows and movies. But once Amazon started offering an ad-supported Prime Video plan last year , Freevee started to seem a bit redundant. Undoubtedly, the platform's most famous original show was Jury Duty , a Truman Show -like reality series that tricked one man into serving his "jury

All MacBook Air Models Are on Sale Right Now

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"Never pay full price for a MacBook Air" seems to be the takeaway from recent Apple launches. Apple unveiled its updated lineup of M3-powered MacBook Air laptops in early March, and all the M3s saw their first discounts three weeks later. The M3, M2, and M1 MacBook Airs are all discounted and are at some of their lowest prices according to price-tracking tools . If you're on a budget, you can always go for the older M2 and M1 laptops, which are still great laptops in 2024. The best deal on the M3 MacBook Air MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop 8GB Memory - 256GB SSD $799.00 at Best Buy $999.00

12 Google Docs Hacks Every Student Should Know

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Throughout my academic and professional journeys, one thing has remained my constant ally: Google Docs. Not only is having all your documents available no matter where you are super helpful, but the software itself is surprisingly versatile and intricate. I have never encountered anything I couldn’t do with Google Docs , from signing a contract to seamlessly working with huge groups of collaborators. There are other, smaller hacks for the word processor that you may not even know about, though. Its business applications are plentiful, but let’s focus on what Google Docs can do for students, especially.  Google Docs hacks for essays and notes So much of schoolwork centers on writing, from essays to memos to notes, so here are the hacks that will serve you best when you’re in the zone on a paper or taking down information in class. Change capitalization formatting Easily change the capitalization formatting of anything in the doc by highlighting it and choosing “Format,” then “Text.” A

These Are the Best Tech Deals From Target’s Early Black Friday Sale

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Early Black Friday sales are in full swing, with the likes of Amazon , Best Buy , and now Target competing for your attention. Black Friday isn't technically until Friday, Nov. 29, but as is often the case, major retailers are rolling out deals a bit earlier. This specific Target sale goes on until the end of the day on Nov. 9. I've rounded up some of the best tech deals they have after vetting them with price-tracking tools to make your life a bit easier. Here is what should get your attention. Bluetooth Wireless Headphones Beats Studio Pro $169.99 at Target