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This 2K indoor security camera is a steal for just 30 right now

PCWorld

Just a few years ago, getting a security camera to keep an eye on your kids or pets while you aren't home would've been pretty expensive. This tiny little thing can be placed anywhere inside your home, as long as it's close enough to an outlet for plugging in. Whether you're placing it on a bookcase shelf, near your TV, or on a nightstand, the Arlo Essential camera can capture most of any room thanks to its large 130-degree field of view and high-def 2560 1440 resolution. Even during the night, this camera will capture great-quality video, making it ideal for keeping an eye on your sleeping baby or watching out for burglars. Since it works with Alexa, Google Home, Apple Home, and IFTTT, you can integrate the camera with your local smart home setup and do things like pull up the video feed on your smart screen.


Matter-enabled SwitchBot Hub 3 smart home controller is now available

PCWorld

The SwitchBot Hub 3 smart home controller is now available for purchase. The Matter-capable device is quite different than other smart home hubs we've tested, starting with its rotary knob that can adjust the target temperature on a smart thermostat, the brightness of smart lighting devices, or the volume level of a connected speaker. Another feature that makes the 120 controller so interesting is the USB-C cable that connects it to its power supply: The cable senses the ambient temperature and relative humidity in the room where the Hub 3 is installed. These readings are shown on the hub's display. We have a hands-on review of the all-new SwitchBot Ultra, which is also shipping today.


Smart home got the cold shoulder at Google's I/O keynote

PCWorld

From game-changing text diffusion models and cutting-edge AR glasses to AI videos with sound and virtual clothing try-ons, there was plenty of amazing tech to see during Google's I/O keynote on Tuesday. The closest we got to a smart home shout-out was when a Google exec said that Gemini--the star of the show--is "coming to your watch, your car dashboard, even your TV." As Google puts its Google TV Streamer under the umbrella of smart home, we'll count that as a fleeting reference. Officially, Google has promised that Gemini is coming to Nest devices. Gemini on Nest speakers has been available on a public-preview basis for months now, and back in March, Google confirmed that a "new experience powered by Gemini" is coming to smart speakers and displays.


Windows quietly tests AI power management and redesigned Widgets

PCWorld

Microsoft has begun testing a new power-saving technology within Windows, as well as assigning AI actions to a right-click menu within File Explorer. Microsoft is also tweaking the way in which widgets are laid out, letting Copilot handle the decisions itself. Microsoft published the changes as part of the Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.4151 By testing these features, Microsoft doesn't necessarily have to commit to eventually rolling them out, although many appear to be under consideration for a more general release. Under the hood, Microsoft said that it's testing out what it calls User Interaction-Aware CPU Power Management, "an OS-level enhancement that helps reduce power consumption and extend your battery life."


Windows 11 Pro may be the most underrated PC gaming upgrade ever at 15

PCWorld

TL;DR: Windows 11 Pro is down to 14.97 through June 1, its lowest price to date (reg. It's usually an afterthought, and that might be a mistake. Whether you're on Windows 10 or Windows 11 Home, upgrading to Windows 11 Pro may be the difference between an ordinary and an extraordinary gaming experience. Windows 11 Pro introduces DirectX 12 Ultimate, delivering higher frame rates, improved ray tracing, and lower latency for a smoother gaming experience. If you want faster load times and better graphics, this is your chance to optimize your rig.


Adobe will charge you more for Creative Cloud in June, because AI (of course)

PCWorld

Do you want allegedly useful "artificial intelligence" features in your face in every single service and tool you use, constantly, unceasingly, and demanding you pay more for it? The latest perpetrator is Adobe, who's now raising the price of its priciest Creative Cloud plans next month and justifying it by bundling in a bunch of generative AI tools. The Creative Cloud All Apps plan is being renamed Creative Cloud Pro, because apparently tools that cost hundreds of dollars a year and aren't available as full purchases aren't for "professionals" unless they're paying the maximum amount. If you're in the US, Canada, or Mexico, and if you're currently subscribed to All Apps, you'll be moved over to the Pro plan starting on June 17thโ€ฆ with a price bump from 60 per month to 70 per month for standard, yearly-subscribed users in the US. Month-to-month prices will jump from the already-sky-high 90 per month to 105 per month.


Otter transcribes my life, and I just can't quit it

PCWorld

Otter is an AI-powered transcription service and app, and I use it every time I interview someone. Even in a group setting, it's the perfect tool for a journalist: it records and transcribes what people are saying, identifies the speaker, and allows me to click on the transcribed text and hear the recorded audio, just to check up on it. Otter even offers AI services, so I can see an AI-generated summary of the conversation and what needs to happen next. Yesterday, my wife complained that the secretary of a non-profit she volunteers at had quit, forcing her to record the minutes of a meeting. So, why should you use Otter?


Wish you had an extra set of hands? Now you do thanks to this AI assistant, now 75% off

PCWorld

TL;DR: Take some things off your plate for good with a lifetime subscription to the Swatle All-in-One AI Assistant, now just 59.99 (reg. Looking for a way AI can make your life easier? Swatle is an AI-powered productivity partner that serves as your own project assistant, helping you get more things done with fewer resources. And right now, you can secure a premium lifetime subscription for just 59.99 (reg. Could you use an extra pair of hands at work? Swatle helps manage projects, automate repetitive tasks, or organize your team's workflow. It adapts to your individual needs, helping you streamline your operations and eliminate your inefficiencies so you can work smarter and faster.


Thinking about investing? This 55 tool can help you get started.

PCWorld

Investing can be downright frightening, especially if you're unaware of how the stock markets work and how to analyze which investments could be beneficial for you. Instead of using Google or the Apple Stocks app to research, let Sterling Stock Picker assist and help you make your first investment. Grab lifetime access to this educational platform and upgrade your financial future for 55.19 (reg. Begin your investment journey by taking the 5-minute questionnaire to determine what your financial goals are. From there, you can use this stock picker to find profitable stocks--which also match your portfolio and investment goals--to invest your hard-earned dollars in. You'll get access to your very own personal AI financial coach through Finley AI.


Google confirms plan to bake Gemini AI directly into Chrome

PCWorld

Like most other tech companies, Google is investing heavily in the development of AI models and trying to incorporate AI into anything and everything in their portfolio. The latest endeavor involves Google integrating its Gemini AI assistant into its world-popular Chrome browser. What was once a rumor back in March has now been confirmed by Google, who intends to incorporate its Gemini AI assistant directly into Chrome, reports Windows Latest. We'll probably learn exactly how it will all work at Google I/O 2025, which will be held on May 20 and 21. From what we know so far based on leaks and rumors, the new feature is called GLIC (which stands for "Gemini Live in Chrome") and it comes with a new "Glic" section in Chrome's settings page.