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Bluetooth audio is ubiquitous, and ultra-convenient, but it has two downsides: audio quality and latency. It’s unlikely that latency will ever be solved, but Qualcomm’s new aptX Lossless codec resolves the quality issue as it’s capable of streaming audio at CD quality and beyond. It’s even possible Apple was waiting on this codec for its next-gen AirPods, which are currently incapable of streaming lossless Apple Music songs. So, what are the challenges of squeezing such high quality into a protocol that’s also used to connect keyboards and mice?...

A new report by the Dallas Morning News has revealed that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to monitor students is widespread in schools nationwide. Many campuses say that computer monitoring is necessary to protect and save the lives of students at risk of harming themselves or others. But some observers are crying foul. “When students know they are being monitored with AI, they are less likely to share true thoughts online and are more careful about what they search,” Nir Kshetri, a professor at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, who studies digital communities, told Lifewire via email....

A program that can calculate the checksum of a file, folder, or disk, is used to produce the SFV file. The purpose is to verify that a particular piece of data is truly the data you expect it to be. The checksum changes with each and every character that’s added or removed from a file, and the same applies to files and file names within folders or disks. This means that the checksum is unique for every single piece of data, even if one character is off, the size is slightly different, etc....

Here’s what you need to know about the differences between consumer-grade and business-grade PCs, and which kind you should get for your home or mobile office. Percent of Business vs. Personal Use First, determine how often you will use the computer for business. If you telecommute infrequently (for example, only during rare severe weather), then a consumer-class PC should be fine, provided the machine has the appropriate applications and resources for your job....

The animation software LightWave 3D uses SRF files not for photos like Sony cameras, but to store information on how a 3D surface should appear, such as the color, transparency, and shading. These are called LightWave Surface files. Another use for some files with this extension is as Server Response files, also known as Stencils. They’re used by .NET applications and may store script tags and HTML content. Yet another format that your SRF file may be in, if none of the above, is a Surfer Project file used with Golden Software’s Surfer application....

This list doesn’t just pick the best-rated titles on Steam. We also considered how well a game works with a controller, how easy it is to play on a small screen, and how quickly the game might drain the battery. Here are the best games for Steam Deck. The game’s polish enhances the excellent core gameplay. Hades is an achingly beautiful game, especially in motion, and a top-notch soundtrack supports the visuals....

Watch blockbuster movies and favorite TV shows. You’ll also discover Netflix Originals, including Stranger Things and Orange Is the New Black, that you can’t watch anywhere else. If you’re a Netflix subscriber, this is the first app you should download for your Fire TV Stick or other Fire TV device. If you’re not a Netflix subscriber, Netflix offers a 30-day free trial, so check it out and see if you’d like to join the fun....

“Kaspersky consistently receives top marks from independent antivirus test labs.” Best for Ransomware Protection: Avira “Avira is a great overall antivirus and security product.” Best Built-in VPN: Bitdefender “In addition to its excellent built-in VPN, Bitdefender also provides top-notch protection against malware.” Best for Privacy Protection: Malwarebytes “Offers an excellent level of protection against all sorts of adware and malware.” Best for Beginners: ESET “The best Chromebook antivirus for beginners due to its intuitive interface....

If you need to plug in any of your favorite peripherals, the television features three HDMI ports, one composite A/V input, a digital optical audio output, a 3.5mm audio out jack, and RF input. A more humble offering than the other options on this list, we recommend the 40S325 if you need an upgrade, and need one now. Otherwise, we do suggest looking at some of our 4K recommendations for a TV that offers a bit more longevity....

VPNs can be very helpful for businesses, and by having a VPN-enabling device it will ensure everyone is connected to the same IP address. A business-grade router VPN is strong enough to connect both employees and clients to the network and offers five dedicated channels for mobile phones. This tool is helpful for all, not just businesses. For a more general look at router options, take a look at our roundup of the best secure routers....

A mobile search engine is more important now than ever before as more and more people drop their desktops in favor of shopping, researching, and finding websites from their mobile devices. Below is an overview of seven of the best search engines for mobile users. Each is easy to use from a variety of devices and provides accurate results. If you decide to log in to your Google account, your searches, history, and preferences will be synced across whatever devices you use, making your experience as streamlined and seamlessly integrated as possible....

Whether you like to duke it out in head-to-head, competitive gameplay or work together in a co-op environment, there’s a little something for everyone. Microsoft’s console features a particularly rich selection of shooters, including beloved franchises exclusive to Xbox. But you’ll find enjoyable options across all other genres, too, from sports to racing to combinations of the above. There are also games for all ages and skill levels that are perfect for enjoying as a family....

What’s the point of even buying a projector? A projector reflects light, as opposed to TVs, which emit light. The reflected light is easier on your eyes as it causes less straining. Moreover, projectors generate images larger than a TV could ever produce. As with reflected light, bigger images are easy to view and support less eye strain. You’re also not as confined to a particular screen size, as a projector can operate on almost any surface....

Apple Mail is versatile with plenty of options and features involving mail and events. It has tools to help you organize and stay on top of your mail so you spend less time in your inbox. Here are some tips to get the most out of Apple’s built-in mail client. Keep an Eye on Important Email Messages Use the flag feature in Apple Mail to mark important email messages for later reference....

Here are some general guidelines for the uses of each kind of image file: If the images are for web or mobile, use JPEG, PNG, or GIF. If the images are to appear in printed material, use TIFF. If you want to keep a version that remains editable, choose your software’s natural file format such as PSD for Photoshop. When to Use JPEG Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG or JPG) is best for photos when you need to keep the file size small and don’t mind giving up some quality for a significant reduction in size....

The best LinkedIn Learning courses are taught by industry experts, cover the target subject thoroughly, and present information in engaging, digestible bites. We carefully reviewed 10 courses before choosing our top picks. Read on to see which course may be best for your professional goals. We like this learning path since it presents soft skills training in a comprehensive yet engaging way. Common soft skills include emotional intelligence (understanding how other people feel), communication, critical thinking, and teamwork....

That is the full site address, but often you will hear it abbreviated to leave out the http:// since that is often implied, or even to leave off the http://www. a portion of the web address and to only give what follows, such as lifewire.com. Many browsers do not require typing in the http://www. portions of site addresses. Also Known As: Website address, web address, URL Examples: What’s your site address?...

Overview of Artificial Intelligence Artificial Intelligence is measured in comparison to the functions of the human mind. A true, fully complete AI could replicate—and likely extend—a human brain’s functions. It would be self-aware, have consciousness and memories, could learn and make predictions about likely future events—and would do these things on its own, without human intervention or input from programmers. The Four Types of AI: Reactive Machines The first and most basic kind of AI is Reactive Machines....

The iRig Pro Quattro I/O is a pocket-sized audio mixer, a microphone, a MIDI interface, a field recorder, and quite a bit more. If you need to plug something into something else, chances are this thing will do the job. But doesn’t this make it a jack of all trades? A compromise? Sure, but that’s kind of the point. “I won’t be purchasing it because I don’t need it, yet....

Should I Expand My House Animal Crossing? Expanding your house is one of the main ways to progress in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, so you should always choose to expand whenever possible. You can grow your house from a tiny tent to a three story dwelling with a number of extra rooms, and some useful abilities are also locked behind house upgrades. You’ll have to earn Nook Miles and Bells to pay off each house loan, but it’s well worth the effort....