PCWorld reports that Anthropic has significantly upgraded Claude's free tier with new Skills feature for automating recurring tasks and Connectors for integrating external services like Canva and Slack. Free users can now create and edit Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and PDF files directly within Claude, plus enjoy longer conversations and enhanced voice/image search capabilities. These improvements position Claude as a stronger competitor against ChatGPT, especially as OpenAI recently introduced ads to its platform. AI company Anthropic is now upgrading the free version of its Claude chatbot with several features that were previously exclusive to paying users, reports Engadget . Free users can now create and edit files like Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, PowerPoint presentations, and PDFs directly within Claude.

PCWorld reports that Google's Threat Intelligence Group documented state-sponsored hackers from Russia, China, North Korea, and Iran exploiting Gemini AI for cyberattacks. These malicious actors leverage Gemini's capabilities for surveillance, target identification, vulnerability discovery, and debugging exploit code, including developing WinRAR exploits. Google restricts access for identified bad actors, but the report highlights AI's dual-use nature and emerging cybersecurity challenges. "AI" systems aren't just great for raising the price of your electronics, giving you wrong search results, and filling up your social media feed with slop.

PCWorld explains how Safe Mode serves as a critical troubleshooting tool when Windows fails to boot by loading only essential system components. Safe Mode enables users to identify problematic drivers, uninstall recent programs, run system repairs like SFC and DISM, and access System Restore. Key diagnostic tools include boot logging to identify crash-causing drivers, Device Manager for driver rollbacks, and startup management through Task Manager. If your Windows PC won't start properly or keeps crashing, Safe Mode can help you identify the cause and fix the problem. In Safe Mode, Windows only loads the most essential drivers and services, skips third-party autostart programs, and uses a simple graphical user interface. This allows you to disable faulty drivers, software, or malware-since these do not run in Safe Mode.

Google has enhanced its'Results About You' privacy tool to help users monitor and remove personal information like government ID numbers from search results, according to PCWorld. The update includes a streamlined process for removing explicit images through a three-dot menu option and allows bulk removal requests. These privacy improvements are rolling out in the US first as part of Google's Safer Internet Day initiatives, giving users better control over their digital footprint. In celebration of Safer Internet Day, Google rolled out an update to its "Results About You" feature and launched a new, simpler tool for removing unwanted explicit images from search results. With Results About You, you can tell Google to keep track of search results where your personal information appears, and then ask Google to remove those search results. The feature has previously been able to track search results with your home address, email address, and phone number, but now the search engine will also be able to warn you about search results that include your government documents, such as passports or driver's licenses. The update to Results About You will first be rolled out in the United States over the coming days, but Google is working on adapting the feature for other regions as well.

When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. BotsLab 4-Cam W510 System review: This security package doesn't deliver Four 4K cameras, a base station with expandable local storage, and no subscription required, So, what's the catch? This four-camera system impresses with solid video quality and expandable local storage, but only when those cameras are in such close range that they probably won't provide full coverage of your property. Outfitting your home with outdoor security cameras can get complicated--and expensive--quickly. Anyone looking for a shortcut on both fronts might consider one of BotsLab's W510 kits, bundles consisting of up to six 4K outdoor pan/tilt security cameras, solar panels to keep each camera's battery topped off, and a base station with 32GB of onboard storage (expandable up to 16TB with a user-supplied 2.5 hard drive).

Ring's Super Bowl ad promoting its'Search Party' feature for finding lost pets backfired, with viewers finding the neighborhood camera surveillance imagery dystopian rather than heartwarming. PCWorld reports the backlash stems from Ring's controversial history of data-sharing with law enforcement and privacy concerns over the AI-powered feature being enabled by default. Many users are actively seeking to disable'Search Party' despite Ring's claims of strong privacy protections and user consent requirements.

PCWorld demonstrates using Google's Gemini AI to diagnose Plex Media Server issues through a systematic four-phase checkup process.

When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. Nothing flashy, but it gets the basics right. The Acer TravelMate X4 14 AI is a competent business notebook with good battery life, but it doesn't offer much to get excited about. If you're looking for a portable business laptop you're likely to turn first to something like a Lenovo ThinkPad, HP EliteBook, or Dell Pro but the price could well scare you off, as business laptops tend to carry a substantial price premium. The Acer TravelMate X4 14 AI is also expensive on paper, but competitive retail pricing makes it more alluring.

When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. Geekom Geekbook X16 Pro review: Can the mini-PC maker build a great laptop? While many laptops with comparable CPU specifications are either significantly heavier or have plastic cases, the Geekbook offers a balanced combination of performance, mobility, and workmanship. Until now, Geekom was primarily known for its mini PCs. With the Geekbook X16 Pro, the company is now expanding its portfolio to include a notebook. The laptop market is highly competitive and dominated by numerous established manufacturers.

Anthropic announced its Claude AI chatbot will remain completely ad-free, contrasting sharply with OpenAI's recent decision to test advertisements in ChatGPT. PCWorld reports that OpenAI CEO Sam Altman criticized Anthropic's stance, calling Claude an "expensive product for the rich" despite Claude also offering free access. This creates a clear market divide between ad-supported and ad-free AI assistants, with Google's Gemini currently aligning with Anthropic's no-ads approach. A few weeks ago, OpenAI announced that it would begin testing display advertisements in ChatGPT responses . Shortly afterwards, Google promised no ads in Gemini (for now) .