Tuesday, December 16Huawei news & HarmonyOS updates

Laptops & PCs

Huawei laptops, PCs, and Kirin-powered desktops with deep dives into hardware, performance, and software.

NordVPN Adds Adult‑Site Blocking to Threat Protection Pro
Laptops & PCs, NEWS

NordVPN Adds Adult‑Site Blocking to Threat Protection Pro

NordVPN has expanded its security suite with a new adult‑site blocking feature integrated into its Threat Protection Pro tool for Android and iOS. The update blocks thousands of adult domains before they load, adding a family‑friendly layer of protection that works across mobile browsers and apps. By enabling DNS‑based filtering within the NordVPN mobile apps, users can prevent access to sites flagged as adult content at the network level, so those pages never open. According to product director Domininkas Virbickas, "Mobile devices are central to our daily lives and protecting users from unwanted content is more important than ever." He added that the feature "empowers users to take control of their browsing experience, whether they're protecting children on shared devices or want to avo...
I removed every ad from Windows 11 and it only took 6 steps
Laptops & PCs, NEWS, Opinion & Analysis, Reviews

I removed every ad from Windows 11 and it only took 6 steps

Windows 11 doesn't throw ads in your face the way websites do, but it still slips in promotions across the system. The Start menu can suggest apps you never searched for, the Settings app shows recommended content, and File Explorer occasionally displays a OneDrive banner. I ignored most of it for a long time because it blended in so well that it didn't feel like something I could turn off. Over time, though, I started noticing how often those prompts appeared and got curious about how much of it was built in. I opened the settings just to check, expecting most of it to be hardwired into the system. Instead, I found that most of the ads and suggestions were controlled by simple toggles. I disabled them one by one and was surprised it took only a handful of changes to clear out almost all o...
4 PC component temperatures you should be monitoring (besides CPU and GPU)
Laptops & PCs, NEWS

4 PC component temperatures you should be monitoring (besides CPU and GPU)

Much of the discourse surrounding PC thermals is centered around the CPU and the GPU, and for good reason, naturally. They are, after all, your system's workhorses, and any thermal throttling here is either going to cost you frame rates in your beloved games or show up as mischievous performance lags. But what most PC owners don't realize very well is that a handful of other components can also run quite hot, sometimes escaping notice until issues arise. From system instability and sluggish data transfer speeds to memory training errors and shortened hardware lifespan, neglecting the thermal p
Asus ProArt P16 (4K Lumina Pro OLED) Review
Laptops & PCs, NEWS

Asus ProArt P16 (4K Lumina Pro OLED) Review

Verdict The Asus ProArt P16 (4K Lumina Pro OLED, RTX 5090) impresses with beefy performance and easily the best laptop display I've experienced. It also isn't short of ports plus offers decent endurance considering the oomph inside. It has the potential to be prohibitively expensive, though. Pros - Gorgeous, detailed OLED display - RTX 5090 provides lots of oomph - Reasonable battery life for its components Cons - Very expensive - Heavier than its predecessor Key Features - Lumina Pro tandem OLED screen This new ProArt P16 has Asus' new tandem OLED screen with a new 4K resolution, plus even more potent brightness and contrast. - RTX 5090 inside It also has Nvidia's top laptop GPU with an RTX 5090 inside for lots of power for creative and gaming workloads. - 90Wh battery The new ProArt P16 ...
OpenAI’s ChatGPT-Powered Atlas Browser Challenges Chrome
Laptops & PCs, NEWS, Phones

OpenAI’s ChatGPT-Powered Atlas Browser Challenges Chrome

The artificial intelligence landscape continues to evolve, with a new battleground emerging: web browsers. Following Perplexity’s Comet and Google’s integration of Gemini into Chrome, OpenAI has entered the arena with Atlas, a browser built around ChatGPT. Atlas, currently available exclusively for macOS, is built on the Chromium engine, the same foundation used by Chrome. It requires a ChatGPT account, with free users gaining access to the new browser, while Plus and Pro subscribers enjoy increased response limits and access to advanced models. The user experience is relatively straightforward, mirroring Comet’s functionality with its address bar, integrated AI interaction button, and a built-in search engine. A key feature is the seamless integration of ChatGPT, allowing users to inter...
Laptops & PCs, NEWS, Phones, Reviews

Print Infrastructure Now a Critical Cybersecurity Consideration

For years, cybersecurity focused primarily on networks, servers, and endpoints. However, Canon Europe’s Quentyn Taylor emphasizes that print infrastructure is increasingly becoming a critical vulnerability within that chain. Failure to secure printers can compromise the security of the entire system. As modern workplaces rapidly digitize, employees access data from various locations, increasing the complexity of data visibility and expanding potential risks. Companies often prioritize network security, frequently overlooking print infrastructure. Last year, over 50% of businesses reported data loss originating from printers. Attackers can exploit a single weak point to infiltrate an entire system, and printers frequently provide that entry point. Integrated solutions combining hardware and...
Four Unexpected Downsides to Daily Use of Mini PCs
Laptops & PCs, NEWS, Phones

Four Unexpected Downsides to Daily Use of Mini PCs

Mini PCs offer compelling advantages – compact size and cleaner aesthetics – but their appeal isn’t always clear-cut. While I’m a long-time enthusiast, with my primary workstation powered by an M4 Mac Mini, it’s important to be aware of potential drawbacks before investing. Here are four things often overlooked when considering a mini PC for daily use. Noise Levels: Despite their small footprint, mini PCs can be surprisingly loud. Due to the use of laptop-grade, energy-efficient processors and a general lack of discrete GPUs, cooling requirements might seem minimal. However, many models feature fans that spin up considerably even during light usage, such as web browsing or video conferencing. While Linux often exhibits quieter operation compared to Windows, the difference diminishes under...
4 Steps to a Smoother Chrome Alternative Transition
Laptops & PCs, NEWS, Phones

4 Steps to a Smoother Chrome Alternative Transition

Switching browsers can be daunting, especially after years of relying on a familiar platform like Google Chrome. A recent user detailed a phased approach to migrating away from Chrome, sharing steps taken to ease the transition. Firstly, a gradual switch was prioritized. Instead of immediate across-the-board replacement, the user initially adopted a new browser on their smartphone, citing the need for forced dark mode. Brave was chosen for its privacy focus and accurate AI summaries (with the option to disable them). Desktop adoption followed later, running both browsers concurrently before committing fully to Brave. This approach minimized disruption and allowed for a controlled experiment with different browser setups. Secondly, the user opted for Brave, another browser built on the C...
Xiaomi Launches Water Purifier with Ice-Making and Heating Capabilities
Laptops & PCs, NEWS, Phones, Reviews

Xiaomi Launches Water Purifier with Ice-Making and Heating Capabilities

Xiaomi has released the Mijia Water Purifier Ice-Making Edition, a new water purification system with integrated ice production and hot water dispensing features. The device utilizes a variable frequency ice-making system, capable of producing 5 ice cubes (10 grams each) every 15 minutes in standard mode, or 5 ice cubes (6 grams each) in 10 minutes in fast mode. The compressor, paired with dual-speed fans, maintains consistent performance while operating at a noise level of 35 dB. The system can store up to 40-50 ice cubes and maintains a 75% efficiency over a five-hour period. The water purification process employs a six-stage RO+GC filtration system, filtering down to 0.0001 microns to remove microplastics, heavy metals, PFAS, and other contaminants. The resulting water quality meets in...
Tesla’s Full Self-Driving System Approaching European and Turkish Approval for Urban Driving
Laptops & PCs, NEWS, Opinion & Analysis, Reviews

Tesla’s Full Self-Driving System Approaching European and Turkish Approval for Urban Driving

Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) Supervised software is nearing approval for operation in Europe and Turkey, marking a significant step towards wider deployment of its driver-assistance system. The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) will discuss revisions to UN R171 regulations during its 42nd session on October 23, 2025. If approved, these revisions will permit Tesla’s FSD Supervised and similar autonomous systems to operate on urban roads in addition to highways across Europe. As Turkey is a member of the UNECE, the regulations will also apply within Turkey. The proposed update expands the scope of autonomous driving beyond highways to encompass urban environments. According to documentation, system-initiated maneuvers will now include traffic light and intersection n...
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