Tech Gear Information

70+ Best Free Alternatives to Paid Software Image EditingPixlr Fully functional alternative to Adobe Photoshop. (Web, Windows, Mac)GIMP Another Photoshop alternative. (Linux, Mac)Paint.net GIMP for Windows (Windows)Seashore Basic image editing with layers, textures, gradients and more. (Mac)ImageOptim Image utility that compresses your images for the web (Mac)RIOT Batch image compression for Windows (Windows)InkScape Professional vector graphics editor, replaces Adobe Illustrator (Windows, Mac, ... read more

How to set up a security camera system for your homeOf our top ten best home security systems, all but our top pick offer (or require) DIY installation. The new normal for home security is for homeowners, and renters in particular, to install monitoring tech that is just as easy to set up as to take down.Not everyone wants to invest in an entire system, however. They can be expensive, typically don't pair with third-party cameras thus requiring you to buy their own, more basic cams instead ... read more

Hands-free tech adds realistic sense of touch in extended reality Illustration of the components in the Tabsi tactile bracelet. Credit: MAHI Lab/Rice University With an eye toward a not-so-distant future where some people spend most or all of their working hours in extended reality, researchers from Rice University, Baylor College of Medicine and Meta Reality Labs have found a hands-free way to deliver believable tactile experiences in virtual environments.Users in ... read more

How to improve your phones battery lifePhones have improved in all sorts of ways over the past decade. The best smartphones now offer cameras that can easily beat classic compacts, games with graphics that wouldnt look out of place on a PS4, and the same amount of storage as you get in a high-end laptop.But battery life? That is still an issue. Most phones only last a day of decent use off a charge, and you cant rely on some if you have an early start, a late finish, and will do plenty on your ... read more

7 Tips for Creating Immersive Learning Experiences with Interactive 360 ImagesIf youre like many course authors, youre constantly looking for ways to make your e-learning more immersive. And while theres no one-size-fits-all solution, your focus should always be on creating learning experiences that entice learners to mentally and emotionally engage with the content. One way to do that is with 360 imagessometimes referred to as panoramas or photospheres. Working with interactive 360 images in ... read more

Color Grading for Documentary Series or FilmYour approach to color grading for documentary series or film in the post-production process significantly affects the end result for your audience.Color grading is a crucial part of the post-production process in documentary series that helps enhance the visual consistency and storytelling across multiple episodes or feature film length. By manipulating the colors and tones of the footage, color grading allows filmmakers to set the mood, evoke ... read more

Investigating the Accessibility of Voice Assistants With Impaired Users: Mixed Methods StudyPrincipal FindingsThis work aimed to investigate whether cognitive and/or linguistic functions could predict the users performance in operating an off-the-shelf voice assistant. To this end, a group of users suffering from motor and cognitive difficulties was invited to a living laboratory. The lab was purposefully equipped with a voice assistant connected to several smart devices (ie, TV, lamps, floor ... read more

What Is Time Management?Overall, you start feeling more in control, with the confidence to choose how best to use your time.And by feeling happier, more relaxed, and better able to think, you're in a great place to help others reach their targets, too.How to Improve Your Time-Management SkillsStart by assessing your existing approach. How good are you at organizing your time so that you get the important things done well? Can you balance your time between different activities? And when you do ... read more

How-To GeekKey Takeaways Your phones battery can last longer and perform better if you avoid extreme temperatures, charge smartly, use battery saver mode, and update your software. In addition, you can monitor battery health for any issues, turn off connectivity options you dont need, and use a power bank to avoid draining it completely. Many of us rely on our phones for work, relaxation, and staying in touch with loved ones, so it's a good idea to do everything ... read more

Future-Proof Meetings: The Rise of Intelligent AI in Video Smart ConferencingTo help employees collaborate across different locations and platforms, businesses need to invest in the innovations that will keep communication thriving.For many, the next step has been to invest in intelligent video solutions (IVS), which produce high-quality video for collaboration across devices and platforms. These technologies use artificial intelligence, cloud tools, and advanced analytics to enhance video ... read more

30 Amazing Adobe Photoshop Tutorials for Beginners [2022]Adobe Photoshop is among the market leaders in the creative world. Well, according to Adobe themselves,Over 90% of the worlds creative professionals use Adobe Photoshop.And this shouldnt surprise us in any way. While Adobe has developed many great products over the years like Adobe Illustrator, Premiere Pro, Acrobat, InDesign, After Effects, and others, Photoshop continues to be a massive name in the design industry and it wont change ... read more

How to water-cool your PCWhat is it that attracts people to water-cooling their PCs? Why is it so much better than traditional air cooling? Essentially, all forms of cooling work on the same basic principles.You might have heard of them, theyre part of the laws of thermal and fluid dynamics. No matter whether you have an air cooler or a full custom-loop setup, youre transferring heat using water from one point to the other.It then cools and circulates back around again to transfer that heat out ... read more

Biometric security systems: a guide to devices, fingerprint scanners and facial recognition access controlThe 101 on the use of biometric security systems and biometric access control in the security industry, including facial recognition, fingerprint scanners and more.Waiting patiently in line to use the cash machine and then forgetting your PIN number as you finally reach the front of the queue: a frustrating but fairly universal experience.However, everyday most of us have to identify ... read more

How To Fix Printer Connectivity Issues in Windows?How To Fix Printer Connectivity Issues in Windows?Last Updated : 05 Feb, 2024Windows 11 and 10 printer problems may arise due to software problems, connection issues, driver issues, spooler issues, or wrong settings. You are having problems printing documents from your Windows computer because of the printer connectivity problem. To solve these problems, make sure that your printer is properly installed and the cables are loose.In this article, ... read more

How to Design a Workspace That Improves ProductivityEvery day, businesses encourage employees to be more efficient and productive. There are dozens of ways to make this happen, such as implementing innovative technology and bringing in productivity experts.However, in an office setting, workspace design can significantly impact small business productivity more than almost any other choice or strategy. Whether you have dozens of employees or work from home alone, setting up an efficient ... read more

68 Smart Home Automation Ideas For 2024 & BeyondA home automation is when you program a smart home device perform an action automatically each time something happens (a trigger). Basic automation example: your smart lock sees your phone's location as you arrive home, then automatically unlocks the door.More advanced automations require multiple smart home devices that are compatible with the same smart home platform (Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Apple HomeKit). Advanced automation example: ... read more

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Advances: A Review of Configurations for Individuals with a Speech DisabilityThe integration of smart developments into daily life activities has widened the scope of dedicated and non-dedicated AAC applications [7,19]. A survey of high-tech AAC devices with regards to the signal acquisition, ML, and output generation is presented in this section.3.1. AAC Signal Sources and Associated ProcessingAAC interfaces are activated through an array of ... read more

Best streaming PC build in 2024 What you get for your money The budget for a streaming PC can be broken down like any other custom build entry-level, mid-tier, and high-end. If youre looking to get into streaming but dont want to take out a mortgage doing so, it can be done on a tight budget but you need to figure out what games you are likely to be streaming and how intensive they might be on the CPU, GPU, or both. Building the PC we recommend for streaming will be costly, but you can expect ... read more

The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Right Gold and Metal DetectorThe Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Right Gold and Metal DetectorMetal detecting is a captivating hobby that combines adventure and treasure hunting. Whether youre searching for coins, relics, or even gold, the key to a successful hunt lies in selecting the right metal detector. With numerous options on the market, this ultimate guide will walk you through the essential considerations for choosing the perfect gold and metal detector ... read more

Video game preservationForm of preservation in video gamingVideo game preservation seeks to collect games from a wide variety of game systems no longer in production.Video game preservation is a form of preservation applied to the video game industry that includes, but is not limited to, digital preservation. Such preservation efforts include archiving development source code and art assets, digital copies of video games, emulation of video game hardware, maintenance and preservation of ... read more