The Meta Quest 2 is one of Meta’s premier virtual reality headsets (not counting the Meta Quest Pro).

The versatile headset is capable of much more than gaming, and Mark Zuckerberg likely has bold plans for the headset involving the metaverse.

With Meta Quest 2, you can do all kinds of activities.

You can watch movies, browse the web, try some of the latest VR games, or even get in an intense workout with games like Beat Saber.

But can Meta’s VR headset do all that by itself, or do you need a PC to hook the headset up for these activities?

Does the Oculus or Meta Quest 2 need a PC?

Short answer: No

The Meta Quest 2 or Quest Pro does not need to be hooked up to a PC or anything else to experience what the headset offers.

It is a completely standalone device, making it a great consumer product that just about anyone can enjoy.

The Quest 2 comes with a Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 System built right into it, which has 6 GB of RAM and an Adreno 650 GPU.

This combination is powerful enough to run most games.

In addition to downloading games and apps designed specifically for the Quest 2 through the Oculus Quest Store, players can sideload titles onto the device by transferring them into its storage.

Again, all these games are playable on the headset without using a PC.

READ MORE: Can I use the Oculus Quest 2 with Steam games?

But that doesn’t mean you can’t use the headset with your PC to unlock even more entertainment.

The Meta Quest 2 can wirelessly connect to your PC via Air Link or hardwire using the Quest 2 Link cable.

READ MORE: Meta’s new parental controls make Quest VR headsets safer for kids

Connecting your Meta Quest 2 headset to your PC will let you use the headset to experience some VR games that aren’t available as a standalone Meta product.

But again, this is just an extra benefit you get with the Meta Quest 2.

You can still get dozens of games and apps on the headset without extra hardware. Alternatively, you can cast Oculus Quest 2 on a TV.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Can you buy a replacement controller for the Oculus Quest 2?
• Does the Oculus Quest 2 have expandable storage?
• Which Oculus Quest 2 should you buy?
• Sony’s upcoming PSVR 2 controller is highlighted in a new patent

Just a heads up, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale. It’s one of the ways we keep the lights on here. Click here for more.

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Meta revealed the GPU boost in a blog post on its website earlier this week. The update increases the Quest 2’s GPU frequency to 525 MHz, up from 490 MHz.

“We’re excited to announce that you now have more GPU compute power to work with on Meta Quest 2 devices—7% more, to be exact,” the company wrote in its blog post.

That increase represents a 7 percent boost in speed from the device’s GPU.

But what does this mean for your Quest 2 experience?

“This means your apps’ visuals will look even better—without sacrificing resolution quality,” Meta notes in its blog post.

Essentially, the 7 percent boost should lead to an overall improvement in picture quality and performance in apps.

The Quest 2 can now “leverage higher pixel density without substantially reducing resolution in order to hit the target frame rate.”

This is the update the Quest 2 desperately needed

The update gives you better picture quality from your Quest 2 without sacrificing the frame rate. So it offers a clearer picture while maintaining smooth transitions.

Meta says that all developers can now utilize this app performance boost. There’s no coding or integration necessary to take advantage of it.

Users need to doff/don (take off and put back on) or sleep cycle their Quest 2 headset by tapping the power button twice to unlock the updated performance boost.

However, a later update won’t require extra steps to increase GPU speeds. Meta says that an update is coming soon.

This is a nice boost for Quest 2 owners to get a little extra out of their headset near the end of its lifespan.

The next generation of Quest headsets is likely coming next year, and we expect to see a significant performance boost in that model. Until then, there’s always the Quest Pro.

Staff Pick

Meta Quest 2
The Meta Quest 2 is one of the best VR headsets yet, with impressive power and a comfortable design. Not to mention, it’s portable too.

Rating

Check Pricing

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Where do I find the serial number of my Oculus Quest 2?
• Can I use my Oculus Quest 2 with my Xbox?
• Does the Oculus Quest 2 have expandable storage?
• What’s the Oculus Quest 2’s battery life?

Just a heads up, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale. It’s one of the ways we keep the lights on here. Click here for more.

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Eufy, an affordable security camera brand from Anker, is under fire for security concerns regarding uploaded footage.

The brand markets itself as a local security system where footage is stored locally, and not uploaded to the cloud. But a recent discovery challenges that entire premise.

Paul Moore is a security consultant. Last week, Moore discovered a significant flaw in how the Eufy Doorbell Dual Camera had been storing data.

Moore shared a video showing how the camera had been uploading and storing images of faces on the cloud. The camera did this despite Moore not signing up for a Eufy Cloud Storage account.

The flaw was later confirmed by other users and recreated by Android Central. The publication reached out to Eufy, and the company explained what exactly was happening that required these uploads.

Eufy says this particular flaw comes from push notifications. If a user opts to have push notifications from the app for motion detection, Eufy temporarily uploads the thumbnail to its servers before sending it out.

Moore had turned on the push notification setting for the Doorbell Dual Camera. Eufy’s default notification settings are text-only, and they don’t require the uploaded thumbnail.

Eufy plans on addressing the wording of its push notification setting to make it clear that it has to temporarily upload thumbnails. It also says it will change its marketing materials to better reflect its use of the cloud.

Eufy has found itself the center of controversy in the past. Users discovered a strange glitch in the cameras in early 2021 that allowed people to see into other users’ homes.

The company quickly addressed that problem, and nothing terrible seemingly came out of it. I would imagine it does the same this time, delivering on the changes it promised.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• GoPro’s new action cameras are perfect for social media videos
• Police in one city are using Ring Doorbells to monitor video livestreams
• Kangaroo’s new weatherproof security camera can go anywhere you need it
• Review: Akaso Brave 8 action camera

The post Eufy cameras secretly uploaded footage to cloud (updated) appeared first on KnowTechie.

The Oculus Quest 2 is a revolutionary virtual reality headset that can be used wired or wirelessly with a compatible PC or console.

It offers an immersive gaming experience with state-of-the-art sensors, graphics, and audio. The headset features a single Fast Switch LCD screen for maximum visual quality.

It is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 SoC processor and has 6GB of RAM. The device also comes in two variations, either with 128GB or 256GB of storage space. 

However, all that power means that the Oculus Quest 2 must be charged regularly. Thankfully, it’s equipped with a USB-C charging port and an included charger for easy recharging.

The Oculus Quest 2 is also designed with a powerful battery lasting up to 2-3 hours of continuous use.

Naturally, it’s only fair to ask how long the Oculus Quest 2 takes to charge, right? Let’s get to it, then.

Short on time? Feel free to skip ahead using the jump links below.

How long does the Oculus Quest 2 take to charge?

Short Answer: 2.5 hours, give or take

The good news is that getting the Quest 2 charged and ready doesn’t take too long.

According to Oculus and confirmed by our tests, the Quest 2 takes about 2.5 hours to fully charge from an empty battery.

That’s not an excessively long time, but it’s always good to make sure you have a little bit of extra charge before you start using the headset.

How long does it take to charge the Oculus Quest 2 to 50%?

It takes approximately 1.25 hours to charge the Oculus Quest 2 from 0% to 50%. This charging time may vary slightly depending on the charger and battery temperature.

What affects Oculus Quest 2 charging speeds?

A few factors can affect how long it takes for the Quest 2 to charge, including the type of charger you’re using and the battery’s temperature.

Depending on use and battery life, the wireless option requires recharging every few hours. If you’re using a lower-amperage charger, it could take longer. 

The battery’s temperature also affects charging times, so if it’s hot outside or your battery temperature is high, charging may take longer.

How can I make sure the Oculus Quest 2 charges quickly?

To make sure your Quest 2 charges quickly, use the original charger with your headset. It’s designed to maximize the charging speed and will charge your device faster than other chargers.

In addition, try to keep the battery temperature as low as possible when charging. If it’s hot outside, put the headset in a cool spot or open a window to help keep the temperature down.

Finally, make sure that you unplug your headset as soon as it’s done charging so you don’t overcharge the battery and potentially reduce its lifespan.

Can I use Oculus Quest 2 while charging?

Oculus doesn’t recommend it, though the consensus within the community says you can. But it’s not ideal for the battery and headset long-term.

Ideally, make sure you have a fully charged battery before starting your gaming session.

How do I extend battery life?

To extend the battery life of your Quest 2, probably the best option is Meta’s official Elite Strap with Battery.

This strap features an integrated 2000 mAh battery that adds up to three hours of use time to your headset. Effectively, this means that it doubles your playtime. 

Moreover, it is comfortable and easy to adjust on the head. The strap adds minimal weight and bulkiness to your unit without compromising performance. 

How do I know when it’s fully charged?

When the Oculus Quest 2 is fully charged, the battery icon on your headset will turn green. You can also check the app to see how much charge you have left.

Should I let it reach 0 charge?

No, you should not allow your Quest 2 battery, or the battery of the Elite Strap, completely drain. It’s best to charge the headset when it has about 20-30% of its battery life remaining.

This will help keep your battery healthy and prevent any long-term damage caused by letting it deplete entirely.

Keep your headset charged for the best experience

Charging your Oculus Quest 2 is an important part of using the device.

Make sure to use the correct charger, keep the battery temperature low, and unplug it as soon as it’s done charging.

Keep in mind it takes about 2.5 hours for your Oculus Quest 2 to charge, so plan accordingly.

Finally, remember not to let your battery drain completely and to charge when it still has 20-30% of its battery life.

This will help keep your battery healthy and ensure you get the most out of your Oculus Quest 2 experience.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Can you display your Oculus Quest 2 on your TV?
• Can Oculus Quest 2 controllers be used on the original Quest?
• Does the Oculus Quest 2 have expandable storage?
• Can I use my Oculus Quest 2 with my PlayStation?

Just a heads up, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale. It’s one of the ways we keep the lights on here. Click here for more.

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The S3 Series is Maircle’s cordless, tangle-free vacuum line. It offers impressive suction and good battery life, so you can always clean your floors.

And with the 2-in-1 standing charging station, you don’t have to worry about wall mounting or the S3 taking up too much space. 

Maircle has two different models in the S3 Series, the S3-Mate and the S3-Pro.

The S3-Mate is the company’s entry-level cordless vacuum that retails for $399.99. And the S3-Pro is the premium option at $489.99 retail. 

Promo code S3PRO555 saves KnowTechie readers an additional 5%.

Sponsored

Maircle S3-Pro Cordless Vacuum
Typically priced at $489, get it now for $329.99. KnowTechie readers can save an additional 5% with promo code S3PRO555.

Rating

$329.99 at Amazon

On-Going Offer

We got our hands on the S3-Pro to review, and it impressed us with its powerful suction and convenience features.

So let’s see what it’s all about. 

What’s in the box? 

The Maircle S3-Pro is much lighter and smaller than your average vacuum, but it’s just as versatile.

The main body of the vacuum comes with a long neck and a tangle-free floor brush for your everyday vacuuming needs. 

But several attachments add extra functionality to the S3-Pro. There’s a short electric sofa brush attachment that you can use to clean cushions and pillows. 

Then, there’s a lightweight furniture brush for dusting and cleaning without damaging your furniture. 

Finally, there’s a crevice tool that you can use to squeeze into those hard-to-reach spaces.

It’s super helpful for tight spots like between the cushions on furniture. 

All of these pieces can be swapped in and out on the fly, letting you clean however you need to at the time.

And they’re all organized neatly on the included standing base. 

The base also doubles as a charging pad for convenient storage and power simultaneously.

Plus, you don’t have to worry about wall-mounting the charger like many other stick vacuum designs. 

What about performance? 

The S3-Pro has an LED display sitting on top of the main motor.

It shows various statuses and information about the vacuum, including battery level, suction modes, and performance indicators. 

It offers surprisingly powerful suction for a wireless vacuum of its size.

With 23KPa of suction, we had no problem getting messes normally reserved for hard-lined, traditional vacuum cleaners. 

Where the S3-Pro truly excels is in its ability to get up both pet and human hair. Its high-power, 400W brushless motor gives it best-in-class performance. 

With enough suction to take care of pet hair and any mites or fleas that make their way into your home, the S3-Pro is an ideal option for pet owners. 

Check out the S3-Pro specs

• 23KPa Ultra-Powerful Suction
• Multi-Cone, Fully Sealed Cyclone Filtration
• 70-Minute Battery Endurance
• Tangle-free Design Floor Brush
• Updated Green LED Technology
• Intelligent LED Control Display
• Self-Standing Charging Dock

Sponsored

Maircle S3-Pro Cordless Vacuum
Typically priced at $489, get it now for $329.99. KnowTechie readers can save an additional 5% with promo code S3PRO555.

Rating

$329.99 at Amazon

On-Going Offer

The included green LED light on the front of the Maircle S3-Pro makes it much easier to recognize messes in your path.

Any dust and dirt in your way are highlighted thanks to the contrast of the green LED. 

Finally, the S3-Pro comes with a really simple emptying mechanism. The clever design collects hair at the bottom of the cup, so it doesn’t tangle and clog the cup. 

You must press a button on the main handle, and the dust cup automatically opens and spills out the gathered debris. 

Check out the S3 Series this holiday season

Stick vacuums like the S3-Pro help keep your floors and furniture clean without lugging around a bulky vacuum with tons of attachments. 

The S3-Pro is lightweight and easy to use, making it a great option for any home.

Plus, the charging stand makes for easy storage, so the S3-Pro takes up as little space as possible. 

The S3-Pro is a great vacuum with powerful suction and impressive battery life. It has several convenience features that make keeping your floors clean a breeze. 

With the holiday discount, you can get the S3-Pro for just $329.99.

Review

Maircle S3-Pro Cordless Vacuum

The Maircle S3-Pro Cordless Vacuum is a game-changing cleaning tool that delivers powerful, fade-free suction thanks to its high-speed 400W brushless motor. With this cordless vacuum, you’ll always be ready to tackle your next cleaning project.

Buy Now

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Review: Roborock Q5+ robot vacuum
• Review: Dreametech T20 cordless stick vacuum cleaner
• Review: Roborock H7 Vacuum –  every home should have one of these
• Review: The Dreame T20 handheld vacuum cleaner is a delightful dustbuster

Just a heads up, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale. It’s one of the ways we keep the lights on here. Click here for more.

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• Ugreen Nexode 100W USB C Charging Station: $99.99
• Ugreen Nexode 65W USB C Charging Station: $59.99

The 100W and 65W chargers both come with four ports and feature ultra-fast charging thanks to support for Power Delivery 3.0 and Quick Charge 4+ protocols. 

In addition, their advanced GaN II technology helps to protect devices from overheating during charging. 

The 100W charger includes three USB-C ports and one USB-A port, while the 65W version has two. 

Both chargers feature dynamic temperature sensors and an intelligent PMW chip that adjusts power output to protect devices from overheating. 

Their UL94-V0-rated shells and heat dissipation designs also ensure safe overnight charging.

These chargers work with a ton of stuff, like MacBooks, iPhones, Samsungs, iPads, and even the Steam Deck. Basically, if you’ve got a device that needs charging, these chargers can handle it.

The 100W charger is priced at $99.99 on Amazon, while the 65W charger is available for $55.99. Buyers can also find them on Ugreen’s website.

Both chargers have broad compatibility and eliminate the need for multiple chargers while saving desktop space.

With prices starting at just $55.99, these chargers are an affordable and practical choice for anyone looking to streamline their charging setup. 

So, if you’re tired of juggling multiple chargers and cords, Ugreen’s new desktop chargers might be the perfect solution.

I’ve tested these over a few weeks, and they’re awesome. Definitely worth checking out.

Learn More

Ugreen Nexode USB C Desktop Chargers

Who are these chargers for? Oh, just about anyone with more than one device and a desire to charge them all at once without turning their desk into a tangled mess of cords. Plus, they’re super affordable. Check them out.

See at Amazon

See at Ugreen

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Review: Ugreen Nexode 140W USB-C GaN Charger
• This UGREEN charger is like Apple MagSafe, but a whole lot cheaper
• Review: UGREEN HiTune X6 Noise Cancelling Earbuds – almost everything you want under $40
• These speedy GaN chargers are an excellent alternative to your laptop’s charging brick

Just a heads up, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale. It’s one of the ways we keep the lights on here. Click here for more.

The post Ugreen’s new desktop chargers keep your devices charged fast appeared first on KnowTechie.

As always, Samsung is looking to improve on the Galaxy S22 with the launch of the S23. That will likely mean nicer cameras, improved performance, and better battery life.

Rumors and leaks tend to fly out regularly ahead of a new smartphone release. As a good rule, it’s smart to take these rumors with a grain of salt until Samsung reveals official information on its new phone.

But there has been a lot of discussion on the Galaxy S23. So let’s check out some rumors and leaked specs surrounding Samsung’s next phone.

Galaxy S23 release date

Samsung usually releases its Galaxy smartphones around February of every year. So far, nothing suggests that Samsung will stray drastically from its usual February release window.

Occasionally, Samsung will go a little early with its release, with the Galaxy coming out in January. That was the case with the Galaxy S21, which came out in January 2021.

A recent leak suggests that Samsung could possibly be considering a similar window with the Galaxy S23. A recent report from ETNews suggests that the Galaxy S23 could come out three weeks earlier than its predecessor in 2022.

Samsung announced the S22 on February 9. That means that Samsung could reveal the Galaxy S23 as early as January 19.

Sources claim that Samsung could move its release window up to help compete with other smartphones. The iPhone 14 is out now, along with the Google Pixel 7.

By releasing the Galaxy S23 earlier, Samsung could steal some potential iPhone or Pixel customers at the turn of the new year.

Samsung Galaxy S23 pricing

Regarding pricing, we haven’t heard anything about the Samsung Galaxy S23 yet. For now, we can only speculate on the potential price compared to the S22.

The Samsung Galaxy S22 started at $799. That was for the basic model with the least amount of storage possible. The Galaxy S22 Ultra started at $1,199 for the 128GB version and ranged to $1,399 for 512GB of storage.

Ideally, the Galaxy S23 would be in the same price range. $799 is an affordable entry point for a flagship phone, and the $1,199 start price for the Ultra version is pretty standard for those looking for the best of the best.

But prices of technology have been a little chaotic in recent years. Supply chain issues and huge inflation have caused prices of just about everything to go up.

We wouldn’t be surprised if the price of the Galaxy S23 is higher than that of its predecessor. We’ll update this when we hear anything else about the price of the S23.

Galaxy S23 design

From everything we’ve seen so far, the design of the Samsung Galaxy S23 will be very familiar to those who have tried out the Galaxy S22.

A leak from known leaker Ice Universe says that the size of the Galaxy S23 will be increased very slightly. All versions of the phone are said to feature minimal increases in size across the board.

The regular Galaxy S23 and S23 Plus will also feature a similar increase in size. The thought behind this increase in size is that Samsung has increased the size of the outer bezel, though the reason for that change is unknown.

Another thing that has changed on the Galaxy S23 is the camera array. This time around, Samsung is designing its camera array on all three versions of the S23 similarly to the S22 Ultra.

Leaked renders from OnLeaks and Digit show what the Galaxy S23 could look like. The renders show how all three versions have rear cameras that are individually embedded and separated from each other.

That represents a shift over the Galaxy S22 and S22 Plus. Both of those versions had cameras embedded into a single unit together. The S23 separates them all, creating three individual units.

Performance and specs

The chipset of the Galaxy S23 has been a hot topic in the leak world.

Word has it that the company is currently debating whether its Galaxy S line of phones should stick to Qualcomm processors or use Samsung’s own Exynos chips.

Samsung’s Exynos chips have a history of not working as well as Qualcomm Snapdragon chips in Galaxy devices. Snapdragon chipsets have regularly outperformed Exynos in both performance and efficiency.

This summer, Qualcomm revealed that it would be powering Galaxy flagship phones globally, starting with the Galaxy S23. So that would suggest that Samsung is going to Snapdragon with all S23 versions.

However, SamMobile claims that Samsung is still working on a new chipset, the Exynos 2300. There’s still a possibility that this could go in some Galaxy S23 devices.

The battery in the Samsung Galaxy S23 line is slightly increasing, at least for the basic version. Both the S23 and S23 Plus are getting slightly improved batteries over their predecessors.

The Galaxy S23 will ship with a 3,900mAh and the S23 Plus comes with 4,700mAh. The FCC filing mentioned above confirms the sizes of all S23 batteries.

The S23 Ultra, however, won’t get the same treatment. The Ultra will maintain the same battery as the S22 Ultra and S21 Ultra. Still, the 5,000mAh battery will keep your phone going all day.

Cameras

A few camera improvements are likely coming to the Galaxy S23 line. To kick things off, the Galaxy S23 Ultra is reportedly getting a massive improvement in the form of a 200MP main camera.

That represents a huge change over the 108MP camera included on the Galaxy S22 Ultra.

A supposed comparison from Ice Universe shows the difference between images with a 108MP camera versus a 200MP camera. And the difference is pretty impressive.

Beyond that, rumors say that the front cameras on the S23 and S23 Plus are better than the S22 models.

The two base models will now include a 12MP front camera, the first improvement on those cameras since 2019.

Those are all of the rumored improvements coming to Galaxy S23 cameras. The telephoto and ultrawide cameras are supposedly unchanged in the Samsung Galaxy S23 line.

Expect improvements but no major changes with the Samsung Galaxy S23

Samsung’s next line of Galaxy S phones will likely feature significant improvements over their predecessors. The S23 and S23 Ultra are getting better batteries, and all versions have improved cameras.

But the design is mostly staying the same. Samsung is likely increasing the bezel size very slightly, leading to an overall increase in size, although very minimal.

And it looks like Samsung will continue to utilize Qualcomm Snapdragon silicon to power its device, although Exynos could make a surprise return.

We haven’t heard much about the price or release date, though we expect neither will change much.

Expect the Galaxy S23 to come out sometime in February with a starting price of around $799 for the base model and $1,199 for the S23 Ultra.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• iPhone 15: News, rumors, leaks, pricing, and release date
• Is the Samsung Galaxy S22 waterproof?
• How to turn off WiFi calling on Samsung phones
• How to add emergency contacts on a Samsung Galaxy phone

The post Samsung Galaxy S23: news, rumors, features, and release date appeared first on KnowTechie.

Apple is working on an AR/VR headset. The company hasn’t officially confirmed one, but it clearly sees the technology as a critical part of its future.

We’ve been seeing leaks about the potential headset for a while now. The company reportedly showed its headset to its board of directors in May 2022.

Additionally, many have speculated on what to expect when the headset launches.

Since Apple hasn’t officially revealed its headset to the public, there’s no way of knowing exactly when it will come out. But several industry insiders have weighed in, giving us a better idea about timeframes.

When is the Apple AR/VR headset coming out?

Short answer: Likely in the second half of 2023.

Early suggestions claimed we could see Apple’s AR/VR headset in January 2023. However, recent reports from industry insiders point to a release date later in the year.

Popular Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo shared an update in December 2022 stating that Apple’s shipment schedule for the headset is now slated for the second half of 2023.

Ming Chi-Kuo has also reported that the reveal event for Apple’s AR/VR headset is likely coming in January 2023. If that’s the case, we should learn exactly when the headset is coming at the event.

Another report from DigiTimes says that Apple will begin mass production of the headset in March 2023. That would give the company reasonable time to ship the device in the second half of the year.

Of course, these are all rumors as of now. We won’t know exactly when the VR headset will be available until Apple officially reveals it.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• iPhone 15: News, rumors, leaks, pricing, and release date
• Samsung Galaxy S23: news, rumors, features, and release date
• Google Pixel 8: Release, price, and features
• How and where to preorder Sony’s PS VR2 headset

The post When is the Apple AR/VR headset going on sale? appeared first on KnowTechie.

Most modern-day smartphones have at least some sort of water protection. The same goes for the Samsung Galaxy S22.

The Galaxy S22 is Samsung’s 2022 flagship entry into the smartphone market. The range includes the Galaxy S22, S22 Plus, and S22 Ultra, each with upgrades over previous models.

Samsung’s 2022 smartphone line has many features, like an impressive camera array and plenty of storage options.

But what kind of water protection can you expect with the Galaxy S22? Is it waterproof?

Is the Samsung Galaxy S22 waterproof?

Short answer: It isn’t quite waterproof, but the Galaxy S22 is water resistant.

Most electronics aren’t completely waterproof. Complete waterproofing in tech is typically reserved for diving apparatuses and similar gadgets that are made to be used underwater.

But the Samsung Galaxy S22 does have water resistance (the jury is still out on the Galaxy S23, however).

In fact, all three versions of the phone come with IP68 water resistance ratings.

IP is a scale that judges a product’s water and dust resistance. The first number, six, represents dust resistance.

Six is the best dust resistance rating on the IP scale, offering a fully dust-tight seal for protection.

The “8” in the IP68 rating for the S22 line is its water resistance rating.

That rating states that a device can be submerged in water deeper than one meter for up to 30 minutes.

READ MORE: Is the iPhone 13 waterproof?

Samsung specifies that the Galaxy S22’s maximum water depth is 1.5 meters. After that, water pressure can cause damage more quickly.

The Galaxy S22 isn’t waterproof, but it can survive minor accidents

As a safe bet, it’s best to keep your phone away from water whenever possible. The Galaxy S22 isn’t waterproof. But, it isn’t fragile either.

In the case of accidents, it’s nice to know that there is some protection against permanent damage built into these smartphones.

You could also add a protective case for additional safety measures.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• iPhone 14 vs. Galaxy S22 – which smartphone is the better buy?
• How to take a screenshot on the Samsung Galaxy S21
• Can the Samsung Galaxy S21 be charged wirelessly?
• Review Roundup – Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra

Just a heads up, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale. It’s but one of the ways we keep the lights on here. Click here for more.

The post Is the Samsung Galaxy S22 waterproof? appeared first on KnowTechie.

Unfortunately, that means some cybercriminals capitalize on their popularity and weaponize them as attack methods.

Here are some ways to tell if a malicious party has targeted your USB.

The device behaves differently when you plug it in

One of the surest signs that all is not well with your USB is if it does something strange after you start using it.

Perhaps the USB device icon on your desktop is now a folder rather than the USB icon you expect. Maybe it has no icon, and you only see the drive’s name.

You might see a few extra options on the right-click menu or notice that certain menu choices you recently used without fail don’t work when you click them.

The strangeness may continue when you try to access specific files. Maybe you want to access a Microsoft Word file on a PC with the latest word-processing program.

Even so, you’ll see the “Open With” window on your screen, prompting you to choose a program that can handle the file.

That’s a warning sign that the Word file may be in a different format than you expect, suggesting that a hacker tampered with it manually or with malware.

One type of USB-distributed malware causes Windows Security boxes to briefly appear on the screen before going away.

That’s because the associated malware can only work with certain security settings disabled.

Try to remain familiar with the normal behaviors of your device. If it starts performing differently due to possible weaponization, you’ll catch on quickly and have the best chance of mitigating the problem.

You see a ransomware message

Cybercriminals sometimes rely on USB drives to spread ransomware. Malware locks down files until you pay a requested amount of money.

The trouble is that payment is no guarantee of regaining access to the files. Sometimes, hackers receive money from their victims but keep the files inaccessible.

In early 2022, the FBI sent a security warning informing organizations of a known scheme whereby cybercriminals distributed ransomware on USB drives sent through the mail.

The parties investigating the issue said the perpetrators impersonated federal organizations and even Amazon, all attempting to get victims to use the USB drives on their computers.

Ransomware messages are typically straightforward, leaving no doubt that you have an infected system and must pay to resolve the issue.

The perpetrators often insist on people paying the ransom with cryptocurrency because such transactions are harder to trace.

The USB started working differently after you used a shared machine

Online learning programs and resources have forever changed education for the better. They share a characteristic with USBs in that they make materials more accessible.

People taking an online program can usually pull up the course content from anywhere. Similarly, a USB drive allows a person to plug the device into any computer and see the files on that machine.

However, using a USB across multiple machines is a risk factor, particularly if those other machines don’t have updated antivirus software. Experts mention that provenance helps keep USB devices safe.

In other words, one of the safest ways to use them is only on your personal computers or those you know have tight virus defenses.

Your computer starts acting strangely

One of the reasons why hackers like orchestrating USB drive attacks is that they can often do damage before people know something’s wrong.

All a targeted person needs to do is plug an infected device into their computer. Then, malware installations begin automatically.

That’s why you might not immediately notice something wrong when using the USB drive.

The issues may start hours or even days later once the malware has altered settings on your machine and thoroughly infected it.

Learn about some of the most common symptoms of a malware infection. Then, realize they may happen after you use a compromised USB device on the machine.

You may see random windows appearing on the screen or notice intrusive ads you can’t close.

The computer might start running slowly, or you could notice that your browser automatically redirects when you try to visit familiar sites, such as Google.

Handle USB drives with care

USB drives are frequent targets of hackers. However, you can make yourself less vulnerable to cybersecurity issues by thinking carefully about how you use them.

For example, only plug the devices into computers you know and trust. Never plug a USB drive into your computer if you unexpectedly receive one in the mail.

The same goes if you find one randomly lying on the ground in a highly trafficked area, such as a parking lot.

These are some straightforward preventive measures that can stop the worst from happening.

Curiosity might nearly get the best of you when you find a USB drive unexpectedly, but using it with your machine could prove a massive mistake.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Why backups should be a part of your ransomware protection strategy
• Why we fear ransomware attacks
• Did you know Windows 10 comes with ransomware protection? Here’s how to use it
• How to prevent viruses and malware from entering your computer

The post How to tell if your USB is weaponized appeared first on KnowTechie.

Pricing starts at $949 and should release in March 2023. That’s nearly a thousand dollars for the futuristic, active noise-canceling headphones that just happen to filter air and spray it at your nose and mouth.

The electrostatic filters in each ear cup pull out particulates like pollen and dust; and environmental pollution like nitrogen dioxide and ozone. After that, clean air is pushed into the facemask.

The headphones also have active noise cancellation, which will have to be impressive considering the two tiny motors and compressors on each ear. A 2,600 mAh battery provides 50 hours of listening with ANC on.

Air filtration drops the battery life to four hours on the lowest setting. The medium setting gives 2.5 hours, and the high setting gives just 90 minutes. They’re heavy too, coming in at 595 grams without the visor.

We have doubts about the safety of the Dyson Zone

It’s worth mentioning that when we first covered the Zone, questions were raised over its safety during the pandemic. Dyson hasn’t answered those questions convincingly.

As Dyson puts it, the gentle airflow might mean that the Zone is no longer a “snot rocket.” The genuine concern is that it doesn’t have to have high airflow to put airborne diseases into a wide area.

Dyson has said that “the visor blocks a lot of [those] droplets.” That’s outdated thinking, as the WHO has stated the novel coronavirus is airborne.

The company also claims that the purified airflow mixes with your breath, “scientifically reduc[ing] the concentration of the germs or the particles in your exhaled air.” That just doesn’t make sense, especially in a closed space.

This all means any air gaps will increase transmission. We can’t dispute Dyson’s claims of pollution filtering, but the potential risks for public safety are still there.

Maybe that’s not going to matter, as the $949 price tag is going to reduce the number of devices that hit the streets.

Dyson is bringing the Zone to the U.S. in March of 2023 on an “appointment-based” pre-order arrangement to start with. The company says that Zone will be available on Dyson.com and at Dyson Demo stores shortly after.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Review: Haylou PurFree Bone Conduction headphones
• New Sennheiser headphones boast impressive 60-hour battery life
• Study shows AirPods can be used as affordable hearing aids
• Elon Musk puts an end to Twitter’s COVID misinformation policy

The post Dyson’s air-purifying headphones are a wallet killer appeared first on KnowTechie.

Amazon promised to bring the Fire TV experience to the Echo Show 15 in September. The company found that over 70 percent of Echo Show 15 users use the device to watch videos.

Now, you’ll be able to stream video from a wide range of apps on your Echo Show 15.

You’ll have access to the entire Fire TV catalog, including popular apps like YouTube, Prime Video, Netflix, and more.

Of customers that used their Echo Show 15 device last month, over 70% used it to watch videos. So, at no extra cost, we’re adding the @amazonfiretv experience to new & existing Echo Show 15s. We think customers will love having access to the Fire TV content they know and love.

— Amazon News (@amazonnews) September 28, 2022

You can navigate through the various streaming apps on the Echo Show 15 using Alexa or with controls in the Fire TV app on your phone.

Additionally, you can pair an Alexa Voice Remote or use the virtual remote on the Show 15 itself for apps without touch recognition.

The Echo Show 15 falls into a niche category with smart home displays.

The main difference between it and other devices is that it mounts directly to the wall.

That might not be the ideal option for everyone. But it can be really useful to help control a smart home with tons of smart devices connected to one another.

And now you can enjoy the entire Fire TV experience on the Echo Show 15 whenever you want.

To help celebrate its new free update, Amazon is offering a limited-time deal on an Echo Show 15 and Alexa Voice Remote bundle.

You can get the full bundle for $194.99, saving you $85.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Why is Alexa flashing blue and green?
• How to factory reset the Echo Dot? (Gen 1 to Gen 4)
• How to connect Echo and Echo Dot to WiFi (with or without Alexa app)?
• Meta just killed the Portal and its unreleased smartwatch

Just a heads up, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale. It’s but one of the ways we keep the lights on here. Click here for more.

The post You can now use Amazon’s Echo Show 15 as a Fire TV appeared first on KnowTechie.

Meta’s Oculus Quest 2 was recently fitted with a nice upgrade to the base model.

The original Oculus Quest 2 storage featured a 64GB hard drive for game and app storage, but now the base model has been upgraded to 128GB.

There’s also a 256 GB model that you can snag for $100 more, in case you plan on loading the console up with all the games and apps you can find.

But what about expandable storage? Is there any way to upgrade the amount of hard drive space you have on your Oculus Quest 2 headset?

Can you upgrade the Oculus Quest 2 storage?

Short answer: Nope.

Unfortunately, you can’t add additional storage to your Oculus Quest 2 headset. What you see is what you get. And any mention of Oculus Quest 2 expandable storage is nothing short of a pipe dream.

That’s why it’s important to figure out which version of the headset is best for you before you make your purchase.

The one silver lining in the lack of expandable storage on the Oculus Quest 2 is that most of the games available now are relatively small.

Some recent releases have been a little larger, like Resident Evil 4, sitting at 11.5 GB. But most games are a lot smaller in size.

READ MORE: Which Oculus Quest 2 should you buy?

However, that will change as developers utilize the headset’s capabilities to deliver more impressive games.

Eventually, users will start running into an issue where they must constantly delete and reinstall games.

It’ll be interesting to see how Meta handles that issue when it eventually does happen.

Maybe the next headset that the company releases will finally have an expandable storage option. But for the time being, no dice on an Oculus Quest 2 storage upgrade.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Are Oculus Quest 2 controllers rechargeable?
• This tool lets you take Facebook off your Oculus Quest 2
• Sony’s upcoming PSVR 2 controller is highlighted in a new patent
• How to put your Nintendo Switch into Sleep Mode

Just a heads up, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale. It’s one of the ways we keep the lights on here. Click here for more.

The post Does the Oculus Quest 2 have expandable storage? appeared first on KnowTechie.

Valve launched its Steam Deck handheld gaming PC back in February of 2022.

At the time, it was available by preorder only, sparking the question of whether or not it would ever be sold in retail stores.

Since the device’s launch, the preorders have cooled down a ton.

In fact, in October of 2022, Valve began selling the Steam Deck from its website without the need for preorders.

But as of now, the device is still not quite available in retail stores. It’s not surprising, given today’s tendency to shop online.

But does that mean Steam Deck will never make its way to retail stores?

Is Steam Deck going to be sold in stores?

Short answer: We still don’t know

The answer is still up in the air when it comes to the Steam Deck making its way to retail stores.

As of December 2022, Valve hasn’t said anything about selling Steam Deck in retail stores. But that could certainly change.

The Steam Deck FAQ page used to have a section about the possibility. It claimed Valve might eventually partner with retailers to bring Steam Deck to brick-and-mortar stores.

However, since then, Valve has updated the FAQ page, and that entry no longer exists.

It’s unclear if Valve scrapped any plans to go retail or if the company is just keeping things close to the chest.

Where to buy a Steam Deck

Your only option to purchase the Steam Deck is to buy one online. Fortunately, however, you don’t have to worry about waiting for a preorder.

Valve says it has enough stock of the Steam Deck for now that orders can go out as soon as you place one.

The company says that could change in the future, but there’s no preorder wait time for now.

Where can you buy the Steam Deck?

To buy your Steam Deck, head to Valve’s website and pick which option you want.

You can choose between 64GB, 256GB, and 512GB storage options for your Steam Deck, and Valve says they’ll be delivered in one to two weeks.

There’s still a chance that Steam Deck could come to stores

It took Valve a little less than a year to get its inventory in enough order that it no longer had to rely on preorders.

Launching in retail stores when the Steam Deck first launched would have likely been disastrous.

But now that things have calmed down and inventory is in order, it seems like Steam Deck might come to a store near you.

However, the company has yet to say anything that would suggest that. So to answer your question, sadly, there’s no option to buy a Steam Deck in stores.

So if you’re looking to get your hands on a Steam Deck as quickly as possible, you’ll have to head to the Valve website and order one directly.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• The best Steam Deck accessories
• Is Steam Deck better than PC?
• Can Steam Deck play Minecraft?
• What games can the Steam Deck not play?

The post Will Steam Deck be sold in stores? appeared first on KnowTechie.

Samsung’s Galaxy S21 is a powerful and affordable option in the smartphone market.

At the starting price of just $799, it offers great value. But did Samsung skimp out on waterproof protection to cut the Galaxy S21 price?

With smartphones becoming more and more a part of everyone’s everyday life, you’ll likely have concerns about the reliability of these expensive devices.

$800 is a lot of money, so you’ll also want to keep your Galaxy S21 safe.

One of the biggest questions concerning any smartphone is whether or not the device is waterproof. In the case of the Samsung Galaxy S21, the answer may surprise you.

So, is the Galaxy S21 waterproof?

Short Answer: Yes, the Galaxy S21 has an IP68 rating.

Samsung users will be pleased to hear that the Galaxy S21 is, in fact, waterproof. Technically, the Galaxy S21 is IP68-rated.

READ MORE: Are the Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Z Flip 4 water and dust-resistant?

It is generally a good idea to keep your smartphones as far away from water as possible. However, exposing your phone to wet areas can sometimes be unavoidable.

So, how waterproof does that make the Galaxy S21?

IP68 is an international standards rating that ensures that this device is capable of withstanding submersion in water up to 1.5 meters for up to 30 minutes.

And the 6 in IP68 also means that the Galaxy S21 is dustproof, as well. However, it is important to note that water and electronics still do not play well together.

Though the phone can go through that kind of stress, it is a good idea to avoid water as much as possible.

Where this water resistance thrives is for people like me, who tend to drop their phones in the toilet or the bathtub, as opposed to a pool or the ocean.

Wrapping up: No, the Samsung Galaxy S21 is not waterproof. But slapping on a waterproof case can help protect your Galaxy S21, S21 Plus, or S21 Ultra from water – essentially making it waterproof.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• How to take a screenshot on the Samsung Galaxy S21
• Does the Samsung Galaxy S21 have an SD slot?
• Can the Samsung Galaxy S21 be charged wirelessly?
• Leaked Samsung AR glasses show Watch compatibility, AR overlays, and more

Just a heads up, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale. It’s one of the ways we keep the lights on here. Click here for more.

The post Is the Samsung Galaxy S21 waterproof? appeared first on KnowTechie.

Lock Socket is an innovative lock that prevents lost or stolen phone chargers.

Here’s how it works: Snap the charging block onto it, lock the charging cable in place, and screw the wall plate directly onto any standard or Decora wall plate.

This unique solution protects standard iPhone, iPad, and Android charging blocks.

While you’re here, are you looking for a new phone charger? If so, Latest Deals is the place to go. Their website publishes daily new deals from all the best retailers in the UK and worldwide.

Who’s behind Lock Socket?

Shaant Varjabedian, a watchmaker based out of Florida and the company’s founder, discovered the invention after years of frustration with keeping up with phone chargers in his household.

After searching for charging blocks and cables for many years, he could not find anything that met his needs.

How do people feel about Lock Socket?

According to Amazon, the Lock Socket Pro charger lock for iPhone Pros has received 4 out of 5 stars.

Despite its rating, however, its iPad charger lock has 19 available products, which indicates high demand. Furthermore, the iPhone standard charger lock has a 4.0 rating.

And last but not least, the Samsung Galaxy charger lock has a rating of 3.9 out of 5 stars.

Why is this piece an ideal solution to one’s problem?

This Lock Socket is ideal since it prevents thieves from stealing your charger. As well as charger locks, Varjabedian makes custom orders, so depending on your phone, Lock Socket could help.

When it comes to hospitals and health facilities, if you don’t have a Samsung or Apple charging block, send it in, and he will custom-make a Lock Socket for you.

Purchasing this piece is also advantageous as it takes a few minutes to disassemble. Plus, if someone attempts to steal your charger, you can catch them immediately.

Lock Socket is manufactured in the United States and distributed across North America and Mexico.

The Sensible Choice

Lock Socket

Lock Socket locks your charging cable to a wall outlet and prevents anyone from unplugging your phone while charging. It’s designed to fit most standard Apple and Samsung charging blocks.

See at Amazon

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Review: Ugreen Nexode 140W USB-C GaN Charger
• The PowerMate is a versatile charger for all of your devices
• Galaxy Watch 5’s USB-C charger could feature superfast charging
• Anker’s new GaN chargers and power banks deliver a ton of power

Just a heads up, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale. It’s one of the ways we keep the lights on here. Click here for more.

The post Lock Socket: Never worry about a stolen phone charger again appeared first on KnowTechie.

A recent study from Ookla, makers of the popular Speedtest benchmark used to measure internet speeds, shows that the iPhone 14 Pro has faster 5G speeds than any Android phone in the U.S. and the U.K.

The report, posted on Ookla’s website last week, displays the fastest 5G speeds of various phones across several locations.

In places other than the U.K. and the U.S., phones other than the iPhone 14 Pro showed more success in terms of speed.

Samsung’s Galaxy S22+ shows the best speeds in South Africa. Motorola holds the fastest speeds in Brazil with its Moto G 5G Plus. And the fastest 5G speeds in China are reserved for Huawei and OnePlus phones.

But if you’re in the United States or the United Kingdom, the iPhone 14 Pro Max is the best option.

In the U.K., the iPhone 14 Pro Max averages around 171 Mbps 5G download speed. That’s compared to 165 Mbps from the iPhone 13 Pro Max in second place.

United States speeds are slightly faster, with the iPhone 14 Pro Max getting around 177 Mbps download. The regular iPhone 14 Pro is second in the U.S., with 175 Mbps.

Interestingly, the speeds in the United States and the United Kingdom are significantly slower than other markets that Ookla tested. 5G speeds in China and Brazil reach well over 300 Mbps download.

It will be interesting to see which phones can maintain their position as 5G speeds increase in the United States and the United Kingdom.

But for now, iPhone 14 Pro Max is the best option for the fastest 5G speeds in the U.S. and U.K.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• iPhone 15: News, rumors, leaks, pricing, and release date
• Samsung Galaxy S23: news, rumors, features, and release date
• Google Pixel 8: Release, price, and features
• Apple Music is finally coming to Teslas

Just a heads up, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale. It’s one of the ways we keep the lights on here. Click here for more.

The post The iPhone 14 Pro Max is the fastest 5G phone available appeared first on KnowTechie.

With Valve’s Steam Deck making its way to the market earlier this year, gamers finally have the option to play PC games on a handheld device.

The Steam Deck is one of the most unique hardware releases in gaming in recent years.

It offers an affordable handheld option to let gamers get in on some sweet PC gaming action at a relatively affordable price.

Of course, there are many differences between the Steam Deck and your average desktop gaming PC. But the two devices can operate relatively similarly at the end of the day. So which option is better?

Is the Steam Deck better than a gaming PC?

Short answer: Possibly, if you are looking for very specific things.

Sure, that technically answers your question. But it doesn’t tell you much about either of these options, does it?

That’s because there is no real, simple answer to that question. Both the Steam Deck and a gaming PC have features and capabilities that are better than the other.

For example, a dedicated gaming PC will most likely be capable of playing more games without a ton of extra work.

That’s simply the difference between a Windows operating system and the dedicated Linux-based operating system found in the Steam Deck.

So the real question is, in which areas is the Steam Deck better than a gaming PC? And for that, we’ll have to look at each option individually. We’ll start with the Steam Deck.

How is a Steam Deck better than a gaming PC?

Let’s take a look at the Steam Deck and what it does better than your average gaming PC.

What’s a Steam Deck?

If you’re unaware, a Steam Deck is a handheld gaming PC that was made specifically for gamers to enjoy the Steam library of games.

It’s relatively similar to other handhelds that we’ve seen in the past. It’s similar to the Nintendo Switch, although it is a good deal larger.

Steam Deck Price

It starts at $399 for a 64GB version and up to $649 for the 512GB model. So what can the Steam Deck do better than a gaming PC?

The Steam Deck is more portable

The primary winning feature of the Steam Deck is that it is a handheld device. And when compared to a desktop computer, you can see how the Steam Deck wins the award for portability between the two.

Sure, there are gaming laptops out there that are also portable. But none are quite as portable as the Steam Deck.

The Steam Deck is about 12 inches long and only 4 1/2 inches wide. That’s much smaller than any gaming laptop that you’ll be able to find.

And when you’re talking about a desktop, there’s really no question. A desktop requires a constant power source. And even the smallest gaming PC you can find out there isn’t going to compete with the Steam Deck’s portability.

The Steam Deck is cheaper

Even though the Steam Deck is a new device, it’s still considerably cheaper than a gaming PC.

The most expensive Steam Deck that you can buy goes for $649. And you can get one for as little as $399, though it’ll have far less storage.

The Steam Deck is also completely ready for gaming with one, simple purchase. Compare that to a gaming PC, and you’ll likely have to spend at least $1,000 for a basic gaming setup.

With a gaming PC, not only do you have to buy the computer itself. But you must also purchase peripherals, like monitors, mice, and keyboards.

$1,000 for a gaming PC is about the bare minimum today.

And if you want a machine powerful enough to keep up with the latest games and graphics, you’ll likely be in a lot closer to $2,000 plus.

An operating system dedicated to the Steam platform

If you’re at all familiar with PC gaming, then you’re probably familiar with Steam. The platform has thousands of games and has been home to PC gaming for decades.

And the Steam Deck was built from the ground up, dedicated to the Steam platform. Valve is the parent company for both Steam and Steam Deck.

The company wanted to build a handheld piece of hardware dedicated to the Steam Library.

So when you’re playing Steam games on the Steam Deck, you know that the device is running the best version of Steam possible.

Your game library is always nice and organized, and the user experience likely can’t be beaten on any device.

So that pretty much sums up how a Steam Deck, arguably one of the best PC handhelds, is better than a gaming PC.

How is a gaming PC better than Steam Deck?

If you thought there were no perks to the Steam Deck over the gaming PC, then now you see how the handheld device can compete.

But now, we’re going to look at ways that a gaming PC can be better than Steam Deck. Keep in mind that “gaming PC” is a pretty broad term.

All Steam Deck versions basically operate the same, but there is a wide range of gaming PCs out there. Nevertheless, a gaming PC definitely has the potential to outperform the PC handheld in several areas.

Gaming PCs can be much more powerful

Probably the biggest difference between a gaming PC and the Steam Deck is that a gaming PC has the potential to be a lot more powerful than the Steam Deck.

Simply put, a gaming PC can be built with much more powerful hardware than what you find in the Steam Deck.

For what it is, the Steam Deck is a pretty powerful machine.

It features an AMD APU that’s similar to what’s found in the Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5. And its AMD RDNA 2 graphics card is equivalent to an Nvidia GTX 1050.

But the GTX 1050 is a five-year-old graphics card. On top of that, it was an entry-level card.

As you can imagine, PC hardware has come a long way in the last five years. And today’s hardware can be exponentially better.

We’re talking 4K resolution, much better frame rates, better graphical performance, you name it.

If you were to get a top-of-the-line gaming PC today and put it next to a Steam Deck, it would destroy the handheld in terms of performance. But it will also cost a lot more money.

You can play more games on a PC

A dedicated gaming PC can play many more games than the Steam Deck. While this is partly because a gaming PC is much more powerful, Steam Deck’s operating system is the main reason.

Because the Steam Deck is built with a unique Linux-based operating system, it can’t play games that are only optimized for Windows.

Even hundreds of games on Steam won’t work on the Steam Deck because they don’t work with a Linux operating system.

There is a workaround for this, however. You can install Windows on your Steam Deck since it is technically a full-fledged PC.

But the user interface of the Steam Deck isn’t optimized for Windows, so you could potentially run into some issues.

And even if you did install Windows on the Steam Deck, you would still run into performance issues in some games.

Many of today’s AAA games are simply too demanding to run on the hardware found in the Steam Deck.

Gaming PC or Steam Deck: Which one’s right for you?

So as you can see, there are benefits to both the Steam Deck and a dedicated gaming PC. Depending on what you’re looking for, you’ll have to decide which one is right for you.

Gaming PCs can be much more powerful than a Steam Deck

Today’s PC hardware greatly outperforms what’s inside the handheld. And you’ll be able to get a lot more out of demanding titles.

Additionally, you can access many more games on a PC than on the Steam Deck. For serious gamers, this is probably one of the biggest differences.

Is the Steam Deck worth it?

The Steam Deck’s claim to fame is its portability. It’s the first ever handheld gaming PC that you can take with you on the go to enjoy your Steam library.

It’s also much more affordable than your average gaming PC, so you won’t have to fork over as much cash.

Both options have their benefits and are made to fill different needs. If you’re looking for the absolute best of what gaming offers, then you’ll want to go for a PC.

But if you’re looking for a more affordable option to take with you and play with just your hands, check out the Steam Deck.

Have any thoughts on this? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• The best Steam Deck accessories
• Can Steam Deck play Minecraft?
• What games can the Steam Deck not play?
• Is it safe to play the Steam Deck or Nintendo Switch in hot weather?

Just a heads up, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale. It’s one of the ways we keep the lights on here. Click here for more.

The post Is Steam Deck better than PC? appeared first on KnowTechie.

Gaming setups typically consist of a console or computer, a solid display, and gaming accessories like controllers and headsets.

But what if you’re looking for a closed sound without a bulky headset? That’s where a nice pair of gaming earbuds come in.

Sure, you can use any old pair of earbuds with your setup. But a pair dedicated to gaming, like the EPOS GTW 270 Hybrid earbuds, will serve you much better.

Editor’s Choice

Learn More

Quick Verdict

The EPOS GTW 270 Hybrid earbuds provide great sound and no lag in a comfortable set of wireless earbuds designed with gaming in mind. They have wide compatibility with Bluetooth and 2.4GHz connections, so you can listen on just about any device.

The EPOS GTW 270 Hybrid is a low-latency pair of true wireless gaming earbuds tuned specifically for performance in-game.

It has wide compatibility with Bluetooth or a dedicated dongle, so it’ll work with several different gaming setups.

Why choose the GTW 270 Hybrid wireless gaming earbuds?

The EPOS GTW 270 Hybrid wireless gaming earbuds are designed with gamers in mind. They provide an alternative to gaudy headsets that make up most of the gaming market.

I often wear headsets when I’m gaming because they’re typically tuned specifically with gaming sounds in mind.

But being able to switch to earbuds when I don’t want to deal with a headset is incredibly convenient.

And they’re not limited to just gaming, either. You can connect them to any Bluetooth-capable device and use them like any other earbuds.

For avid gamers, the GTW 270 Hybrid earbuds likely won’t replace your gaming headset. However, they can be a great alternative when you don’t want to break out a headset.

GTW 270 Specifications

Using the GTW 270 Hybrid wireless gaming earbuds

For anyone who has used a pair of true wireless earbuds in the past, the GTW 270 Hybrid will feel pretty familiar. They come in a plastic charging case with magnetic ports to keep them charged.

They also resemble many true wireless earbuds, with rubber tips and a larger body that helps with passive noise canceling.

EPOS didn’t go for the AirPod style with the stem coming down but a more in-ear approach.

You can flip the earbuds out of their case after charging and hook them up to a device using Bluetooth. The pairing process is similar to other earbuds.

You just hold the button on the case for a few seconds and wait for the lights to start flashing. Find them on your device, and you’re ready to go.

And then there’s the dedicated 2.4GHz dongle for connecting to other devices, like your PC. That process is even easier, with the earbuds connecting automatically as soon as you plug the dongle in.

The Hybrid in the earbuds’ name means that you can be connected to two devices simultaneously via Bluetooth and 2.4GHz. However, the earbuds won’t let you listen to both devices at the same time.

You can’t play sound on one device while it’s playing on the other. Instead, you have to use the button on the left earbud to switch between the two.

It would have been nice to be able to play sound from both devices at the same time, like you can with the EPOS H3Pro Hybrid headset.

What I like about the GTW 270 Hybrid earbuds

So on to the things I like about the GTW 270 Hybrid wireless gaming earbuds. First things first, the sound on the earbuds is great.

The earbuds are tuned for game sound, offering crisp, clear sound. But they’re not limited to gaming, as the bass sounds pretty good when listening to music.

The sound still doesn’t compete with a premium gaming headset. But it is surprisingly loud and clear for a pair of earbuds.

And on that same note, there was little to no lag when playing games on my PC. I used the 2.4GHz connection for gaming and found it works just as well as any wireless gaming headset I’ve used.

Sound does sound a bit better using the 2.4GHz connection. Bluetooth sound is still loud and clear, but the dedicated dongle offers a little more power and volume at the top.

Maybe even more importantly, they’re comfortable. It’s not uncommon for earbuds to cause irritation after long use, but that’s not the case with the GTW 270 Hybrids.

Like many other wireless earbuds, they come with a few different sizes of silicon tips that you can switch in and out to find the right size.

I found the tips that came on the earbuds fit me perfectly. But there are plenty of options to choose from.

The GTW 270 Hybrid earbuds are a success in terms of overall performance.

Even the five-hour battery estimate was pretty accurate, and that’s a solid amount of time on a single charge for some gaming earbuds.

What could improve on the GTW 270 Hybrid earbuds

While the earbuds offer solid performance, there are a few things EPOS could improve on next time. Here are a few things that I noticed could be better:

These aren’t the worst issues in the world, but they’re worth considering when looking for a pair of wireless gaming earbuds.

Alternative wireless gaming earbuds

There are plenty of gaming earbuds on the market. If the EPOS GTW 270 Hybrid wireless gaming earbuds don’t sound right, check out some of the options below.

Imageㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ	Product	Price
	Razer Hammerhead Pro with ANCPremium Pick Active noise canceling 60ms low latency gaming mode Touch controls $199.99	Learn MoreRead the Reviews
	Razer Hammerhead Best Budget Pick In-ear design with stem Passive noise cancelling 60ms input latency $39.99	Learn MoreRead the Reviews
	JBL Quantum TWSBest for PC gaming Embedded microphone Active noise canceling 2.4GHz dongle $149.95	Learn MoreRead the Reviews
	Gravastar Sirius ProEditor’s Pick Unique design 65ms low latency gaming mode 5.1 virtual surround sound $129.95	Learn MoreRead the Reviews
	ASUS ROG Cetra true wireless earbudsQuality Choice Low-latency gaming mode Active noise canceling Large battery life Touch controls $99.99	Learn MoreRead the Reviews

Those are just a few of the alternative options available on the market today. Check out some user reviews to see which options fit you best.

Final thoughts

If you’re looking for a pair of dedicated wireless gaming earbuds, the EPOS GTW 270 Hybrid is a solid option.

You’ll be thankful for their great sound and comfort during long gaming sessions. And their versatility with Bluetooth and 2.4GHz connections make them a great option for many devices and gaming consoles.

I particularly enjoyed using these earbuds with my Steam Deck. They connect easily via Bluetooth and let me listen to my games peacefully without disturbing anyone around me.

With very little lag and a simple connection, they’re a great option for anyone looking for an alternative to a bulky gaming headset. But, they aren’t perfect.

They don’t have a mic or touch controls and feel much heavier than most earbuds. So if those are big turn-offs for you, you might consider a different option.

Pricing and where to find them

You can find the EPOS GTW 270 Hybrid earbuds on Amazon for $149.99 or at Best Buy for the same price. They’re also available on the company’s website.

Editor’s Pick

EPOS GTW 270 Hybrid Earbuds

If you’re looking for a pair of dedicated wireless gaming earbuds, the EPOS GTW 270 Hybrid is a solid option.

See at EPOS

See at Amazon

See at Best Buy

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The iPhone 13 has been around since 2021, introducing exciting new changes to Apple’s flagship device. We’re talking the usual stuff: A better camera, battery life, and faster performance.

But iPhone fans have wondered if another potential change was coming to this version: Does it finally have a USB-C port for charging?

After revealing that the iPad mini supported USB-C, it looked like this could finally be the year.

Apple has been adamant about using the Lightning port for years now. But with USB-C becoming a more standard connection, many wondered if Apple was on board with making the USB-C change on the iPhone 13.

So, did they finally make the switch?

Does the iPhone 13 have a USB-C port?

Short answer: No

Sadly the iPhone 13 does not offer USB-C support. The iPhone 13 and its four variations come with Apple’s standard Lightning port.

2021 was the year many thought Apple would switch to USB-C for the iPhone.

Even though Apple opted to go for USB-C charging on some products, like the iPad mini, it doesn’t look like the company is quite ready to abandon the Lightning port on the iPhone.

But it does at least look like USB-C charging is on the company’s radar, so maybe the company will opt for that option in next year’s iPhone.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

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• How much does the iPhone 13 cost?
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• How to change your iPhone passcode

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