Will a Smart Thermostat Actually Save You Money?

August 24, 2022

Did You Know?

Fastnet Rock is the southernmost point in Ireland; the tiny islet is scarcely large enough to hold the lighthouse that sits upon it and is referred to as “Ireland’s Teardrop” both on account of its geographic location and, more importantly, because it was the last bit of Ireland that 19th-century Irish emigrants saw as they sailed to North America.

Happy Wednesday! There’s a lot happening this week, and we’re only halfway through.

Dish is preparing a new wireless phone service called Boost Infinite, which will likely use its in-progress 5G network in addition to AT&T and T-Mobile. Google-owned Fitbit also just revealed three new fitness trackers, and some of them will support Google Maps and Google Wallet.

In the world of computers, Apple delayed the iPad’s big software update for this year, and CrossOver 22 has arrived for running Windows software on Mac and Linux.

– Corbin

There are a greater number of smart thermostats on the market than ever before, and one of the selling points is that they will save you money. But will they? Here are some key things to consider. Read More »

On Linux, files have three sets of permissions. One set is for the file’s group. Before you allocate a file to a group, you may want to check who the group members are. Read More »

It can be difficult to get Wi-Fi in your yard, but you can be connected even outside with an outdoor Wi-Fi extender. Our recommendation for the best outdoor Wi-Fi extender, the TP-Link Long Range Outdoor CPE, is perfect for that.

This Wi-Fi extender has a huge range, giving you Wi-Fi coverage in even some of the biggest yards. Even better, this extender isn’t expensive, costing only $40. If you need internet while you’re outside, this extender is your best option without breaking the bank

Even though Google’s acquisition of Fitbit has cleared regulatory hurdles, there still aren’t many Google services or apps available on Fitbit devices. That’s starting to change with three new fitness trackers, which also have hardware changes in tow. Read More »

If you use your laptop with an external display docked at a desk, you may want to run it with its lid closed to save space. However, your laptop wasn’t designed to run full-tilt with a closed lid, right? Read More »

With the rise of digital game platforms and streaming services, is there really a future for optical discs? Blu-ray discs are hanging on, but for how much longer? Will Blu-ray discs be the last optical format ever, or will another replace it? Read More »

CrossOver is one of the best ways to run Windows software on Mac and Linux, as it’s based on the popular Wine project. CodeWeavers has now released CrossOver 22, with significant changes to the interface and software compatibility. Read More »

Searching for the perfect USB-C cable to suit your needs and charge all of your devices? You’re in luck! We’ve combed through a bunch of them and have found the best USB-C cables on the market. Read More »

Good news: Quest VR headsets don’t need Facebook accounts anymore! If you’re buying a new Meta Quest (formerly Oculus Quest) VR headset, you don’t need a Facebook account to set it up. If you’re already using a Facebook account with your headset, you can unlink the two. Here’s how. Read More »

Whether you're just starting a career in cybersecurity or you're a seasoned pro, Kali Linux provides one of the most popular ways to penetrate test Linux distributions. In The Ultimate Kali Linux Book - Second Edition, you'll learn how to discover target systems on a network, identify security flaws, exploit security weaknesses, gain access to networks, and more. Download your free copy to get started. This offer ends on Wednesday, August 31, 2022.

Smartphones are great, but unlimited access to social media, the internet, and endless distractions can be overwhelming. This has created a growing market for “minimalist phones.” However, you don’t need to ditch your iPhone or Android phone to disconnect. Read More »

We use the term “computer user” frequently, but with so many people who purchase computers, why not say “computer owner,” “computer customer,” or something else? We dug into the history behind the term and found something we never expected. Read More »

The Netgear Nighthawk RAXE300 router joined the Nighthawk family as one of the first to feature the Wi-Fi 6E standard. Its tri-band signal really packs a punch, though to truly take advantage of the RAXE300, you’ll need cutting-edge wireless devices and a hearty gigabit Internet plan. Read More »

For better or worse, TerraMaster is the “budget” NAS brand. I’ve always felt lukewarm about the company’s products, which tend to offer a great value at the expense of performance or specs. But the new TerraMaster F4-423 seems to do away with compromises—it’s an awesome little machine. Read More »

The Android operating system has been around for a long time, and it’s used by millions and millions of people. Naturally, quite a few myths have cropped up over the years. Are any of these common myths actually true? Read More »

Dish Network has been rapidly building up its 5G mobile network, becoming a new fourth carrier to compete with AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon. Now the company is teasing a future cell phone plan called “Boost Infinite.” Read More »

It seems like every gamer is interested in the Steam Deck handheld gaming PC, but Valve simply can’t make enough devices to satisfy demand. Long waiting lists are the norm for Steam Deck, but clones could soon ease the strain. Read More »

Each year, Apple usually releases a major update for iPhone (iOS) and iPad (iPadOS) at the same time with many of the same new features. However, iPad owners will have to wait a bit longer this time around. Read More »

Using Windows 10’s Disk Cleanup utility, you can get rid of unwanted files and free up your storage space. The tool finds unnecessary files on its own, so you don’t have to manually locate any items. We’ll show you how to use this useful tool on your PC. Read More »

Earlier this year, Apple revealed its long-awaited self-repair program for iPhones, which turned out to be incredibly complicated and a huge mess. Now the company is expanding that program to include fixing MacBook laptops. Read More »

There’s a long-standing belief that magnets are dangerous to have around electronics, but can they really damage your phone or computer? Read More »