PCWorld reveals five overlooked Spotify settings that can dramatically enhance your listening experience, from audio quality to playlist management. Key improvements include enabling lossless audio for Premium subscribers, activating crossfade transitions, and using Smart Shuffle with Less Repeats to reduce song repetition. These hidden features help create seamless playback, better music recommendations, and higher sound quality without requiring expensive upgrades. Spotify remains by far the largest music streaming service, with nearly 700 million users worldwide. However, most are probably unaware of the many tricks that can make the experience more enjoyable. We present the most important tips and explain how to use them effectively.

PCWorld tested Intel's new Panther Lake Core Ultra X9 388H processor, which delivers gaming laptop performance through integrated graphics comparable to Nvidia GeForce 4050 chips. The chip achieves impressive battery life up to 27 hours while maintaining strong performance, with AI frame generation boosting gaming from 52 to 92 fps in titles like Cyberpunk. Panther Lake faces competition from AMD's Ryzen AI Max and Qualcomm's Snapdragon X2, but Intel's early 2025 release provides significant market advantage.

PCWorld reports that Microsoft's latest Windows 11 preview update brings AI text generation and improvement tools to Notepad, similar to chatbot functionality. The update also expands Markdown support for easier formatting and adds AI-generated coloring book pages plus a smarter Fill tool to Paint. These AI features remain optional and can be disabled in settings, requiring a Microsoft account for users who choose to enable them. Microsoft has released a preview update for Windows 11 Insiders that adds AI features and easier formatting options to Notepad. The otherwise stripped-down text editor has also been given a new welcome screen that describes the app as "the essential text editor, enhanced."

PCWorld examines how AI data centers are driving up RAM prices and reducing availability for laptop consumers, while manufacturers increasingly solder memory chips directly to motherboards. This trend forces users to pay higher upfront costs for desired RAM configurations since future upgrades become impossible, unlike traditional laptops with replaceable components. The combination of AI-driven demand and non-upgradeable designs creates lasting performance limitations for power users and higher costs for all consumers. By now, you've probably heard a thing or two about AI, specifically how AI data centers are hoarding massive amounts of RAM and taking it away from consumers. That surge in demand has rippled outward, affecting everything from environmental impact to rising RAM prices, and it's a real bummer if you're in the market for a laptop in 2026.

PCWorld reports that Microsoft is adding AI-powered coloring book generation to Windows Paint, allowing users to create custom pages from text descriptions. This Copilot AI feature will be available on Copilot+ PCs and includes a new fill tolerance slider for more precise coloring effects. Notepad is also receiving updates with lightweight formatting, Markdown support, and faster AI text generation capabilities for enhanced productivity. Adult coloring books have long been a great gift idea for Christmas and birthdays, and now it seems like Microsoft is catching onto their popularity. According to a recent blog post, Windows Insiders are now starting to get access to a new update that adds two features to Windows Paint, one of which is AI-generated coloring books. With the new Coloring Book feature, you can ask Copilot AI to generate a series of coloring book pages according to your descriptions. Microsoft shows an example of cute cats on donuts (see above). The generated pages can then be saved or pasted directly onto the workspace, where you can then color them in yourself. The Coloring Book feature in Paint will only be available on Copilot+ PCs.

When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. Excitement has turned into disdain. The more I use it, the more I hate it. Artificial intelligence, like Mondays, is becoming universally disliked--so much so that I feel redundant writing about how much I've grown to hate it lately. And yet, I find myself using it more and more.

When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. AI tools are everywhere now--but using them efficiently is a different story. Most people end up bouncing between chatbots, image generators, writing tools, and video apps, each with its own subscription. For $74.97 through January 31, you get lifetime access to a multi-model AI platform powered by names you already recognize, including GPT-4o, Claude 3, Gemini Pro, Llama, Mistral, and Cohere. Different models excel at different tasks, and 1min.AI lets you switch between them without extra costs or logins.

PCWorld reports that Adobe has introduced an AI-powered Object Mask tool for Premiere Pro that automatically creates masks and tracks moving objects in seconds. The update significantly boosts performance with existing mask tools now tracking objects up to 20 times faster than before. After Effects receives new features including SVG file import and parametric 3D mesh objects, with all AI processing handled locally for user privacy. Adobe has unveiled several new AI-powered features for its Premiere Pro and After Effects video editing and effects software, Engadget reports. Premiere Pro introduces a new AI-powered Object Mask tool that makes it possible to quickly select and track people or objects in moving footage.

PCWorld reports that ASUS ROG Ally users can now disable or remap Microsoft's Gaming Copilot feature through the latest Armoury Crate SE update. This change reflects widespread user resistance to Microsoft's aggressive push for AI features, Windows 11 migration, and in-OS advertising across their gaming devices. The update also includes BIOS fixes and improvements for standby mode and UI scaling, giving ROG Ally owners greater control over their handheld gaming experience. Microsoft's Copilot "AI" system isn't exactly a smash hit among its users . While the company has rebranded at least some of the features as enhancements for gaming, PC gamers don't seem to be taking to it any better.

When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. This is the cutest USB-C charger in the world and it's only $17 right now The Ugreen Uno is so cute and convenient. Ever since I watched (what a great movie!), I've had a soft spot for cute robots. Is that why I adore this lovable Ugreen Uno charger block?