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Researchers from Carnegie Mellon University have developed a unique Wi-Fi configuration that allows them to estimate human movements through walls and dense objects. What’s interesting is they don’t need expensive equipment, like specialized LiDAR devices or cameras, to make it work. They were able to achieve this with low-cost $30 Wi-Fi routers and receivers, which raises a few privacy concerns.

Leveraging a tool called DensePose from Facebook’s AI lab, the system scans the invisible Wi-Fi radio signals that permeate throughout a space and builds a visual model. Radio signals broadcast by a Wi-Fi router naturally bounce off objects and people, and the reflected signals carry information that can be filtered through AI to reconstruct body posture and movements. Similar to how LiDAR or echolocation can be used to build a crude three-dimensional representation of rooms or an area, DensePose can produce images of humans and, over time, could be extrapolated to track and understand someone’s movements. 

This has been done before. Years ago, MIT researchers built a similar system, using RF-Capture technology, but the presented models were not as high-quality as what you get with the CMU team and DensePose recreations. The key to DensePose is what the researchers describe as a “deep neural network that maps the phase and amplitude of Wi-Fi signals to UV coordinates within 24 human regions.” With the Wi-Fi signals as the sole input, that AI model can estimate the pose of multiple subjects.

Could this be used to spy on a family or track private movements?

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Although, the CMU study has not been peer-reviewed yet, the scientists demonstrate that their DensePose-driven system can be used to monitor human movements inside a building. But there are a couple of things to keep in mind. For starters, they’re using a developed neural network model to make the estimations and empower the data. That includes training the model on room and space layouts. While the DensePose Github is available to anyone, the trained model is not. Bad actors would need to access or develop their own for active monitoring, and extensively train using known spatial layouts.

Additionally, the study doesn’t address how effective the technology would be within your average residential home. The researchers used relatively inexpensive devices, but they needed multiple access points — the radio waves came from three routers and three receivers. Without a mesh router system, people might only have a single router and an extender or two placed throughout their home. It’s not clear how that would impact the models. Moreover, in the average household, many things might interfere with Wi-Fi signal strength, and that could also be a factor for a system so reliant on reliable readings.

However, larger facilities with multiple networking devices (like hospitals, offices, or commercial buildings) and access to higher quality signals may be able to feed enough information. The study also points out that challenges increased when trying to track multiple subjects, so it may be harder to track a whole family or groups of people using something like this.

How might this technology be used?

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Regardless, the research demonstrates it’s possible to locate and track subjects using only Wi-Fi as an input. In the study, the CMU researchers imagine the technology could be used to monitor the “well-being” of a home’s residents or “identify suspicious behaviors.” Then question arise such as who is monitoring, what would be considered “suspicious,” and what action should be taken when strange behaviors are detected?

Taking that a step further, if the technology were commercialized in some way and used for market research or data harvesting, it doesn’t take much to see how many privacy concerns there are. Reports show 80% of U.S. households have a home network router, which means open access to Wi-Fi signals in their homes. Wi-Fi imaging could allow for passive surveillance both in homes and other buildings, without physical access, and without consent. Furthermore, a general difference between Wi-Fi and wireless internet is that Wi-Fi is used to distribute network in a limited space. That’s how Wi-Fi networks stay active when the internet is down, and, in this case, such a system could be retooled to work locally without internet access.

For now, the limitations may hold it back until someone comes up with alternative solutions. Though, there’s no telling how long that would take. Future network technologies, which are already here and fixing the previous Wi-Fi generations biggest problems, could make consumer-grade routers more powerful and viable for something like this.

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If you’re a fan of the first “Star Wars” trilogy but have serious reservations about its prequels, you’re not alone. In fact, you’re in excellent company with the late Gary Kurtz, producer of “A New Hope” and “The Empire Strikes Back”. In fact, Kurtz and “Star Wars” creator George Lucas were already at odds with the creation of “Return of the Jedi,” which at one point was titled “Revenge of the Jedi” (Lucas changed the title before release, saying that reJedi Knights shouldn’t focus on revenge).

The problem started when Lucas and Kurtz disagreed about changes Lucas had made to “Return of the Jedi.” While Lucas, famously, ended the first trilogy with a happily-ever-after celebration among the film’s heroes and the Ewoks, the original outline the duo conceived had called for an ending Kurtz described as “bittersweet and poignant,” and more “emotionally nuanced.”

By the time “Return of the Jedi” came out in theaters, Kurtz was no longer involved with the franchise. Kurtz’s replacement, Howard Kazanjian, claimed in an episode of “Icons Unleashed” that Kurtz had gone over budget and wasn’t told that he had been replaced until after he’d already started working on “Return of the Jedi.” However, Kurtz told The LA Times in 2010 that he and Lucas parted ways amicably over creative differences, freeing up Kurtz to produce “The Dark Crystal.”

Lightweight content, merchandising, and worse

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When Kurtz was interviewed for the documentary “The People vs. George Lucas,” he was very clear that he wasn’t a fan of the prequels. He called the storyline lacking and said the films did not fit well with the first trilogy. He compared them to “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” saying that both are “a lot of action and held together by story threads that work on the surface.”

Kurtz believed this was largely driven by a desire for merchandising. For example, in an early outline of “Return of the Jedi,” Han Solo was supposed to die during a raid on an Imperial base, which Kurtz felt would add depth to the story. But, he told the LA Times that Lucas overruled this, saying, “George then decided he didn’t want any of the principals killed. By that time, there were really big toy sales, and that was a reason.” Kurtz reiterated this in a 2002 interview with IGN, calling “The Phantom Menace” “a merchandise-driven project.” 

“They knew that the money from the merchandising would make a lot more money than the money from the film,” Kurtz said, “It’s a tired film, in the sense that there’s no passion or energy there, and that comes from that kind of slightly cynical attitude, I think.” Kurtz may have been proven right on the money, as that marketing drive continues to push “Star Wars” even today, after Lucas sold the franchise to Disney in 2012. 

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Disney has been steadily working toward creating a unified experience for Hulu and Disney+ subscribers, and some newly arriving features continue this journey. While the Hulu app isn’t going anywhere just yet, the mouse company continues merging the two apps together, and the eventual goal seems to be having the two apps combined behind the scenes. It’s a process that began for the apps back in 2024 when Hulu was added to Disney+.

Announced in a press release (per Variety), Disney+ is adding some features that will help unify itself with the Hulu app, including ways that will help subscribers sync their Hulu profiles to Disney+ and provide a new way to access said content. Some new aesthetics are also arriving, and Disney says more features are on the way, including live TV options. Hulu subscribers will also be able to access some additional content, which may be the company’s way of coercing users toward a bundled subscription.

Though it seems the plan is to ultimately merge the two experiences into one, Variety does note that standalone Hulu subscriptions are still available in the U.S. Of course, Hulu users will still be able to access some of their favorite content, such as gripping miniseries options you can finish in one weekend. Keep reading to see what changes are being made.

What’s coming to the Disney+ app

Beginning on May 19, 2026, certain Hulu subscribers will be able to link their profile to Disney+, allowing them to sync watch lists, recommendations, and watch history to the app. It’s only good for adult accounts, and eligible Disney+, Hulu, ESPN Bundle, and Hulu Bundle and Disney+ subscribers should be seeing this one “in the coming days.” All other bundle accounts will be able to sync “later this year.”

Additionally, Hulu subscribers with an active account will also be able to sign into Disney+ through their MyDisney login to access Hulu media through the Disney+ app, even if they don’t have a Disney+ account. This new change will not impact a Hulu subscription, and Hulu users will get “a small sampling” of ESPN and Disney+ content. For those who may have forgotten, ESPN came to Disney+ back in December, 2024.

Lastly, in terms of new features arriving soon, Hulu avatar icons are now available in the Disney+ app, giving users even more options for how they want to personalize their profile. While these features should begin rolling out soon, the Disney+ app should have more on the way, as Hulu Live TV and add-ons will come to the platform “at a later date”. Disney is also testing a new Live Guide that allows Disney+ and certain ESPN subscribers to search for live content, including things like ABC News Live and Disney+ Playtime. Subscribers should keep their eyes peeled as more news develops.

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If you’re sick and tired of the soulless audio your TV speakers produce, a simple solution is adding a soundbar. Requiring little in the way of setup, you can have one of the best soundbars you can buy up and running in just a few minutes — and we’re willing to bet the first movie or show you test will sound far better than what your TV could ever deliver on its own. 

That said, a soundbar isn’t an end-all, be-all solution for lackluster audio. While easy to connect, most systems won’t deliver the same level of immersion and channel separation as a proper surround sound setup with an AV receiver. There’s also the risk of buying a soundbar that’s too large or small for the listening space you’re trying to fill, a common soundbar shopping mistake you won’t find out you’ve made until your new bar is out of the box. 

We don’t want anyone to be dissatisfied with their soundbar purchase. Research and reviews are critical when selecting one of these TV speaker replacements, and it’s also worth digging into this list of four disadvantages to soundbar audio you should know about. Buyer’s remorse can hit especially hard when an audio product isn’t up to snuff — not to mention that re-packing a soundbar can be a massive pain.

The space-saving design will impact the width of your soundstage

A typical soundbar enclosure contains several speakers positioned close to each other, with tweeters and bass radiators thrown in occasionally, too. While this all-in-one approach is great for freeing up space in your living room, housing left and right audio channels so closely together can impact the spaciousness of your audio.

Front channels (left, right, center) are among the most important parts of any speaker system, but you’ll want a decent bit of distance between each bookshelf or floor-stander for proper stereo imaging. Traditional speakers can be spaced throughout a room however you see fit, so you won’t have to worry as much about a narrow soundstage; if something doesn’t sound good, you can simply move a speaker.

Soundbar manufacturers may attempt to compensate for a narrow stage with cinematic presets or a loudness boost function, but you can only do so much when all your speakers are shoved into a plastic chassis that’s half the width of your 65-inch TV. Even the widest soundbars may struggle to create enough left-right separation to make audio feel naturally driven and spaced.

Surround virtualization doesn’t mean you should expect true surround sound

Many midrange and premium soundbars (and even some entry-level models) tout the ability to “virtualize” beefy surround formats, including Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. Generally speaking, this often means that the soundbar itself contains up- and/or side-firing speakers, or that it comes with a set of wireless rears. It also means that the bar likely uses psychoacoustics and digital processing to sound bigger than it actually is. Whatever the case may be, “virtualization” isn’t the same as “you own a complete surround sound system.” 

Depending on the model you’re working with, surround virtualization may end up being nothing more than a slightly wider soundstage in the front, or nothing at all. Good virtualization is best achieved in small to medium-sized rooms, so if you’re working with a cavernous theater space, a soundbar may not have the power or directivity required to drive decibels into every square inch of the room.

Surround virtualization also necessitates proper connectivity. If you’re aiming for Atmos height effects, hooking your bar up via digital optical isn’t going to work. Instead, you’ll want to be using HDMI ARC/eARC to give your bar system and TV the bandwidth both devices need to ensnare your space in sound.

Upgrading your audio hardware over time usually isn’t an option

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One of the best parts of owning an AV receiver with connected surround sound speakers is the modular approach you can take to building an audio system. Let’s say you’ve invested in the entire 5.1 portion of a surround configuration, but you’re not thrilled with your subwoofer’s low-impact performance. No worries — once funds free up, you can just purchase a larger, more powerful sub. The same goes for any other speaker you’re not satisfied with.

We’d be lying if we said that no soundbar system is modular, but upgradeability is far more limited than what you can expect with a traditional speaker system. Unfortunately, that often means that if you don’t like the way your bar’s wireless sub or rear speakers sound (if it came with them), you’re stuck — unless you decide to upgrade the entire soundbar rig.

Again, though, this isn’t a hard ruling for all soundbars. For instance, there are a handful of products on the market that have an LFE output to connect an active subwoofer. So, even if the soundbar didn’t come with a bass bringer, you may still be able to add one down the line. But speaking of subwoofers, there’s one last soundbar audio disadvantage you should know about before you go.

Wireless soundbar-subwoofer combos may leave a lot to be desired

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Many new soundbars come bundled with a standalone subwoofer that pairs with the bar wirelessly. On paper, this is a godsend, because it means you’ll be able to place the woofer in just about any part of your room that’s near an AC outlet. In reality, though, the A to B pairing between bar and woofer can be a lot more irksome. There’s also not much rhyme or reason as to why one soundbar bundle might link up more reliably than another (r/soundbars has some interesting theories, though).

I can even provide a personal example: A few years ago, I bought a Samsung soundbar combo that I connected to a Samsung TV. My living room is only 12 feet long, and even when the woofer was placed directly next to the soundbar, it wouldn’t connect. At all. I also tried hard resetting everything to no avail. But months later, I hooked up a new bar-woofer system (one I was testing for a review), and wireless pairing went smoothly.

It’s probably safe to assume that the larger the footprint you’re working with, the better the chance that a wireless bar-woofer connection may drop out or fail entirely. And trust me: Once the sub disconnects, you’ll likely notice a dip in overall sound quality and immersion.

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Charging a phone always takes time. Sure, you can speed up the process by activating fast-charging mode (assuming your phone supports it), but relying on it too much can reduce the battery’s maximum capacity. So, is there another way? Maybe you can charge your phone wirelessly while it’s also plugged into a wall outlet via a USB cable. Sorry, but phones are designed to prevent this, and even if you could, you wouldn’t want to.

Most modern phones are designed to prioritize wired charging connections. Even if you place your device on a charging pad first, your phone will switch to wired charging and draw power from only the cord as long as it’s attached. How does your phone tell the difference? It relies on its internal power management circuitry. When a smartphone detects a wired connection, the system actively disables the wireless charging coil to prevent hardware conflicts and overheating. Because wired connections are faster and more efficient, the phone is programmed to prioritize the cable.

This is a virtually universal rule among modern smartphones, even among iPhones. But what if you actually could use both charging methods at the same time? Hypothetically, since wired and wireless chargers produce heat, using both to speed up charging times could generate more heat than is safe. We’re not saying you would start a fire, but you could damage your battery with that much heat.

Why recharge one device faster when you can charge multiple devices at once?

At first glance, you might assume you don’t really need wireless chargers since they don’t speed up charging times when your phone is plugged into a cable. Heck, you might also assume you don’t need a wireless charger if you don’t own enough compatible electronic devices. But owning (and using) a wireless charger and charging cables has its advantages.

Quite obviously, you can charge multiple devices with both a wireless charger and a USB cable, and since charging pads are generally heavy, they are less likely to cause cable clutter. However, gadgets such as the Anker MagGo Wireless Charging Station — one of the best wireless chargers – can accommodate multiple devices at once. Sure, the device uses more electricity than the average wireless charger, but it only needs one wall socket, which is perfect for rooms where outlets are at a premium (or if you don’t want to plug multiple gadgets into a power strip).

If you use a USB cable and a wireless charger — especially one that can charge multiple devices at once — you can prioritize which gadget charges first. As previously stated, wireless chargers aren’t as efficient as wired connections, and some electricity is inevitably lost. However, placing a device on a wireless charger is perfect for a “set it and forget it” style of charging. Just hook any cables into gadgets you need quickly (or are incompatible with wireless chargers), and relegate the rest to wireless chargers. It’s a new form of organization you never knew you needed.

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With the components of a gaming PC skyrocketing to reach absurd price levels, many people want to upgrade as soon as possible before the AI domino effect makes it downright impossible to find cheap upgrades that turn your PC into a gaming setup. As substantial as this investment may be, the inherent satisfaction of booting up a brand-new gaming PC and checking out its performance firsthand is unbeatable. Seeing your RAM, graphics card, SSD, CPU, and other critical components work together to let you enjoy an absolute beast of a machine more than justifies the cost of procuring all these parts in the eyes of many.

However, in the excitement of booting up your new gaming PC, don’t forget to download some critical software that will help your system become an optimal gaming machine. From clients that let you download games to troubleshooting software that helps you stay on top of your PC’s performance and identify any problem points, there is a litany of applications that will make your gaming PC far more suited to its task. In case you don’t want to shell out too much cash for paid programs, then start out with these free apps to cover all the bases first. Chances are that you may not even need to spend a dime on anything other than the latest AAA and indie releases — the games themselves — after downloading these programs.

Steam

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It would be impossible to talk about the best free programs that are a must-have on a new gaming PC without mentioning Steam, the GOAT of gaming clients that puts every other company to shame. Sure, the platform’s game library is staggeringly massive, the attempts to foster a gaming community are excellent, and the reviews have become legendary for users injecting a dose of humor into their critical commentaries … but what really makes Steam such an excellent platform is how consumer-friendly it is. The biggest indication of this is the amazing pricing and deep sales that are a regular sight, with people getting some of the best games for a pittance as compared to other flagship platforms from Sony and Microsoft. This reason alone makes people choose PC gaming over consoles.

It also helps that Steam has one of the best customer support systems on the market, despite the inability to connect to a customer support executive directly. Their refund policy puts customers first and asks no questions if you decide to get a refund within two weeks of your purchase, or if you’ve only clocked in two hours of game time. Cloud saves ensure that you can play on multiple systems without losing progress, while Steam Workshop is a convenient way to download mods without resorting to third-party platforms. Most game-specific forums have answers to all the questions you have, and Big Picture mode helps you enjoy the console experience on your PC if you prefer using a controller and a bigger screen for your gaming endeavors. With all these perks, it’s easy to see why most people will raise an eyebrow or two if you say that you have a gaming PC but haven’t installed Steam on it.

Epic Games Launcher

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Don’t worry — we aren’t going to list out every gaming client one by one. Once you download Steam, there isn’t really a reason to download other clients like Ubisoft Connect or the EA app, unless required by a game from these publishers. Navigating their UIs is cumbersome, and constantly having to log into these platforms can be annoying. Sometimes, these launchers straight-up prevent players from opening their games due to failed authentication or other issues. While an argument can be made that the Epic Games Store falls within the same umbrella, there’s one major factor that separates it from the rest of the pack.

In a bid to make the Epic Games Launcher appealing to people who don’t play Fortnite, the company has used its funds to enact a free monthly games program. As long as you open the platform every month, you can potentially snag an amazing deal and get your hands on a game that you’ve had your eyes on for a while … for free! Epic doesn’t skimp out on these offerings, either — some notable games they’ve given away for free include Total War: Three Kingdoms, Chivalry 2, Disco Elysium, The Callisto Protocol, Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, and Hogwarts Legacy. The lack of a proper community and a barebones library are definitely pain points preventing this service from reaching higher levels of use, but people who install this gaming client solely to download games for free won’t care about this too much.

Discord

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It’s amazing to see how Discord has become an enduring facet of pop culture, despite starting out as a team messaging app for gaming. With almost 700 million registered users, it’s easily the most popular multimedia messaging platform around. With support for audio, text, and video calling, the sense of community on Discord is genuinely impressive. There’s a reason why even console manufacturers have gone out of their way to integrate native support for Discord in their proprietary hardware: They also want to enjoy a slice of the pie that PC gamers have been feasting on for a long, long time.

Once you get used to the app’s slightly complicated interface – although, to be fair, Discord’s March update gave it a massive glow-up — you can join one of several servers and enjoy being a part of a growing community as you foster friendships with people from all over the world. This facet of Discord has helped it evolve from a mere gaming app into a popular messaging client that even non-gamers can have fun with, although its focus on video gaming is undeniable. You can enjoy high-quality audio chats as you cooperate with — or play against — your friends across several multiplayer games and have a blast together.

DS4Windows

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With Steam Input becoming more and more accepted for most modern titles, most people feel that using third-party software to connect controllers to your PC has become redundant. Xbox controllers have native support for Windows as is, and your PlayStation controller can be interpreted by Steam Input to make it compatible with numerous games.

However, there are outliers that you should definitely take into account. What if you’re playing an older game on Steam that may not support your PlayStation controller, or you’re using a different gaming client altogether to run a game? Other times, Steam Input may be messing with your controller instead of making things more convenient for you. There’s also the issue of emulated games to take into account, where you must definitely use a controller for the optimal experience. If you don’t have an Xbox controller or a third-party controller with support for XInput, you’re fresh out of luck in this department.

This is where third-party software like DS4Windows comes into the picture. It serves as a convenient way to connect your PlayStation controller to your PC and play games with full controller support. With the release of the DualSense, this software evolved to support both generations of controllers. It lets you set up different profiles for your controllers, which means you can use different mappings for specific games and even change the color of the lightbar accordingly. It has some minor bugs, but it’s hard to complain too much, given that you can use this software for the grand total of nothing.

A good GPU utility tool

People who want to fine-tune their GPU’s performance on a brand new gaming PC can download one of several GPU utility tools to achieve the same. Several free software offerings can help you in this area, with MSI Afterburner being a notable mention here. Don’t let the name dissuade you from downloading this software, since Afterburner is also compatible with non-MSI graphics cards. Overall, it’s an excellent tool that lets you monitor the real-time metrics of your graphics card. If you want to enhance your GPU’s performance beyond its preordained limits, you can adjust the fan speed and overclock your graphics card to improve performance. Just make sure that you’re not going overboard in this department, since excessive overclocking can harm your GPU in the long run. If you also have the habit of using RivaTuner, then MSI Afterburner syncs with this program for a convenient in-game overlay that is useful for precise GPU monitoring.

Now, while MSI Afterburner is definitely a reliable GPU utility, there are other alternatives you might also want to consider. ASUS GPU Tweak III is a similar tool for overclocking that lets you set up profiles to run with specific games while giving you access to other metrics. Again, this tool is compatible with all GPUs, even though it’s ASUS’ proprietary software. If you want a GPU-specific utility tool, then use AMD Adrenalin for — as you’d expect — AMD graphics cards, and EVGA Precision X1 if you have an NVIDIA GPU installed in your machine.

The emulator (or emulators) of your choice

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Who said gaming needs to be restricted to PC-only titles on your system? The magic of emulation lets you play classics from previous console generations on your gaming system, which is a godsend if you missed out on some great old-school games that have either subpar PC ports or remained console exclusives. If you manage to snag a copy of an old-school classic like Ico, the original God of War trilogy, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, or Super Mario Galaxy 2, but don’t have a console to play it on, emulators can save the day.

If you want to play games from multiple consoles, a one-stop solution would be to download EmuDeck. Not only does this let you download pretty much every emulation software under the sun, but it also features additional bells and whistles to make your gaming experience smoother. These include auto saves, cloud storage, and a way to compress ROM files to make them take up less space on your hard drive. Despite what the name suggests, EmuDeck isn’t restricted to the Steam Deck — you can also install it on your PC.

However, if you just want to play a game on a specific platform, then downloading that emulator individually is usually faster and lets you personalize the experience for the game in question. RetroArch is the go-to for most retro consoles, including the Atari 2600 and the Nintendo Entertainment System. It also includes OpenLara, a game engine made specifically to run old-school Tomb Raider games with a fresh coat of paint. Other emulators include the legendary PCSX2 for PlayStation 2 emulation, Dolphin for the Wii and GameCube, and PPSSPP to run PlayStation Portable games.

HWiNFO

If you want to download a free real-time monitoring tool for your CPU, then you’ll find two popular tools for this — HWiNFO and HWMonitor. The general consensus is that the latter is fine if you only want to peruse basic stats, but it lacks accuracy. This isn’t a problem with HWiNFO, which provides more details and is far more accurate at depicting the same. There’s a reason why NASA uses this program to monitor their hardware. It provides deep and detailed insights into both virtual and physical memory usage, CPU utilization metrics (including per core usage data), thermal stats, fan speeds, and relevant GPU data.

It helps that HWiNFO is also updated regularly to make the user experience easier. A notable example of this is when overlay data was added in a February 2024 update, helping it become a useful real-time data monitoring tool that made it far more convenient to use. It’s easily one of the best system monitoring tools, and one that will help you get the most out of your gaming PC.

Ninite

Any PC enthusiast knows how grating it can be to set up a new gaming PC. You’ll need to download a bunch of apps individually (including some on this list), which can get annoying after a point, as you usually end up spending a ton of time searching for the applications you need on your new system. Thankfully, there’s an easy way to do away with this cumbersome approach, courtesy of Ninite. This all-in-one installer gives you a checklist with pretty much every popular program that is commonplace across most PCs. This includes both Steam and the Epic Games Launcher, the browser of your choice, Spotify, qBittorrent, Discord, VLC, MalwareBytes, WinDirStat, and 7-Zip.

Once you choose the programs on the Ninite website, you’ll download your custom Ninite program that will automatically install all these programs with a single click. It’s so convenient that Microsoft decided to launch a similar service 16 years after Ninite made its debut. However, unlike Ninite, Microsoft’s multi-app install functionality is limited to the Microsoft Store, meaning that Ninite is still your go-to if you want to set up your PC quickly with all the software you could possibly need. The best part is that this convenience is completely free of cost.

Lively Wallpaper

Most people with gaming PCs are familiar with Wallpaper Engine, an excellent tool that you can grab from either Steam, the Humble Store, or Green Man Gaming for $4.99. As convenient as this software is for browsing a wealth of live wallpapers and applying them to your desktop, most people won’t want to shell out five bucks for it. Thankfully, there’s a free, open-source alternative you can download in its stead. Lively Wallpaper works similarly to Wallpaper Engine and is the perfect free tool to make your gaming PC look prettier.

However, there’s one major catch you should be aware of. Unlike Wallpaper Engine, there’s no option on the program itself where you can search for and download the live wallpaper of your choice. Although this may make the program slightly challenging for beginners, the flip side is that Lively Wallpaper is far more malleable when it comes to setting the wallpaper you want. For starters, you can input the URL of a website to turn it into your desktop wallpaper, which is a feature that Wallpaper Engine lacks. Lively Wallpaper’s subreddit, DeviantArt page, and GitHub repository also have viable wallpaper options. Finally, if you want to use a video that will play on loop as your wallpaper, you can upload the clip (or long) of your choice to Lively Wallpaper to customize your desktop as you see fit.

WinDirStat

Games have become so space-intensive that it’s hard to find a AAA release that doesn’t occupy upwards of 100 gigabytes on your SSD … or HDD, if you don’t mind subjecting yourself to criminally high load times. This makes it important to clean up your PC’s storage from time to time to make space for these behemoth-sized games. The problem here is that you’ll have to individually check the file size of different folders to see how much space they occupy, which can get a bit grating after a point.

Instead of going through this time-consuming ordeal, a better alternative is to download WinDirStat. It stands for Windows Directory Statistics and does precisely what this name suggests, showing a treemap that visually depicts the amount of space occupied on your hard drive. This helps you identify the biggest space-hogging culprits and take measures to either uninstall these programs altogether or figure out a way to reduce how much space they occupy. One essential gaming PC tip you should know is that your SSD should have enough free space to maintain high write speeds and ensure this component’s longevity. This is where WinDirStat can help you manage your SSD’s health while also freeing up the drive for the next AAA game on your list.

3DMark

Some AAA games have built-in benchmarks you can run to see your PC’s performance. However, it’s impractical to keep these games and start them up whenever you need to see how powerful your PC is, especially if your system is new. Why would you download a massive game like Cyberpunk 2077 or Red Dead Redemption 2 only to run a benchmark? Instead, a dedicated benchmark tool is far more capable of getting the job done, and 3DMark is a notable mention in this regard.

This app has multiple benchmark tests for low-end, mid-range, and state-of-the-art PCs, letting you gauge ray-tracing performance, average frames per second (FPS), GPU temperatures, and clock speeds. It also provides you with a 3DMark score that you can compare to other systems with similar configurations, so that you can see if there’s an area you need to troubleshoot. The free version of this program comes with seven benchmarking tests — Solar Bay, Solar Bay Extreme, Steel Nomad, Steel Nomad Light, Time Spy, Night Raid, and Fire Strike. These are more than enough to gauge your system’s performance and make 3DMark one of the most robust benchmarking tools you can install on your new gaming PC.

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The office PC scene has changed dramatically. A lot of lists for the best office PC, whether desktop or laptop, will often include the mighty Dell, but for a lot of people, its prices are often too high. This is especially exacerbated by the ongoing AI data center-induced shortage of PC parts.

It’s ironic, as Dell was originally started with the goal of undercutting the competition. Using off-the-shelf parts, Michael Dell started selling pre-built PCs out of his dorm room in 1984, but with much lower prices than what IBM or Apple were providing around that time. Now, the company is known for its expensive, hard-to-self-service machines with proprietary parts and its confusing branding after killing the Dell XPS line.

However, despite Dell’s dominance in the office space, there are plenty of different, underrated options to check out. Chinese brands like Geekom and Minisforum are facilitating low- to high-end machines that won’t take up much space. Meanwhile, Framework is providing repairable, upgradable hardware. You don’t have to settle for the big names anymore.

Geekom

A small company out of China, Geekom, primarily makes mini PCs. These small form-factor boxes have become some of the best to buy for offices, as many tasks can be handled by the somewhat limited specs inside. Geekom’s newer models, like the A8, have adopted higher-end mobile processors, which give them an edge over previous models for more intense workflows.

Geekom provides mini PCs with a wide range of specs, but you might want to avoid anything pre-Ryzen 7000 or Intel 12th generation, unless your workload is incredibly light. From the Ryzen 7000 and Intel 12th generation up, the processors and RAM configurations on offer will certainly handle more than enough for everyday work.

The mini PCs come loaded with ports, and sometimes two Ethernet ports for faster or more flexible networking. One of the top recommended models, the A8 at $879 (regularly on sale for around $689), has two HDMI ports for dual screen monitors, two USB-C, four USB-A ports, and an SD card slot. It’s small, stays out of the way, and packs an AMD 8745HS chip for both work and some very light play (it has the same graphical ability as some 2023/2024 PC handhelds).

Framework

One of the more recent brands for tech enthusiasts to drool over, Framework is a unique provider in that it actively encourages repairability. Every device it sells can be self-serviced, and it’s only the USB modules that are strictly proprietary. Of course, Framework sells every part you would need, but if you find a cheaper deal somewhere else for, say, an SSD or stick of RAM, it’ll slot right in.

Framework is also a little different in that it only has one official desktop option right now. The Framework Desktop is a self-described “heavy-duty” machine aimed at intense workflows in the AI or machine learning industries. However, its exceptional power, thanks to the AMD Ryzen AI Max chips (both 385 and 395+), makes for excellent workstations and office PCs.

If you have a knack for not being terrified of PCs, you can also buy a laptop mainboard and whack it into a case, which Framework also sells separately. This brings you a much lower-cost, but easily repairable office PC that doesn’t take up much room. The price starts at $449 when not on sale.

Chuwi

As you’ve probably noticed, outside of the major companies like Dell or Lenovo, office desktops have changed dramatically. As laptop parts have rapidly caught up, smaller companies like Chuwi can provide excellent specs in a tiny box. Similar to Geekom, Chuwi sells a range of devices, including laptops and tablets, without too much of a dramatic cost.

For the money, the $929 AuBox X with an Intel Core Ultra 7 256V will not only provide you with great performance for everyday tasks, but should be able to handle some more intense work as well. There’s a cheaper model too, at $799, which should be better for those who know they won’t be dealing with intense workflows.

Chuwi’s laptops are super cheap, but sport lackluster hardware that’s better suited for dedicated media centers or home servers. However, as a super cheap option, these should fit the bill for word processing, email, and web browsing. We’d probably stick with the mini PC boxes, as these provide the best overall pound-for-pound performance for the price, despite the ongoing price crisis.

System76

For those of us who have ditched Windows for Linux, or those who are looking for a solid, out-of-the-box Linux option, System76 is a fantastic option. A series of laptops and desktops that can be configured to your liking is available. The company also maintains its own Linux distribution, Pop_OS!, which is designed to make transitioning users to Linux a little easier. However, these PCs will run whatever operating system you need on them.

The Linux-centric company offers six variations of desktops to configure. We’d again recommend the Mira Custom and Prime Custom boxes, as these will give you greater control over the price. Again, System76 is a manufacturer impacted by shortages like any other lately, so expect prices to be a little more than usual. That said, at least there’s no Windows 11 tax, where some companies tack on additional charges for the Windows license during configuration.

Aside from these machines, there are also workstations powered by AMD Threadripper processors, a mini PC starting from $899, and laptops. If you need an office machine that’s geared towards the more technical side of the job, or again, just don’t want Windows, System76 PCs are the way to go.

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Depending on how deep into the Apple ecosystem you are, charging multiple devices at once can lead to plenty of cord clutter. Don’t get us wrong, owning a bunch of Apple products is great for device synergy, but charging multiple devices can still take a good number of accessories. Fortunately, when we weren’t busy researching the half-life of nuclear waste, we found a cool charging accessory for Apple products on Amazon.

Available at a significant discount, the Anlmz 3-in-1 Charging Station for iPhone lets you charge multiple Apple devices from a single stand. Highly reviewed and ranking well on Amazon, it can charge an Apple Watch, AirPods, and an iPhone simultaneously, provided the models support wireless charging. Though the company wants to make it clear that this is not a MagSafe accessory, it still delivers a solid amount of power to Apple devices and even offers protection to keep them safe.

We’re no strangers to needing to keep devices charged, which is also why we’re constantly looking for tips and tricks to charge your iPhone faster. You may need to worry about the thickness of any iPhone cases you’re using, as this stand supports cases up to 0.2 inches thick, but the company promises that the device is good for bedside charging. The specs may help back up this claim, but those who need to charge multiple Apple devices should certainly give this stand a look.

Save 46% on this 3-in-1 wireless Apple charger

As the No. 1 best-selling cell phone charging station on Amazon, the Anlmz 3-in-1 Charging Station for iPhone relies on a single USB-C connection to charge an iPhone, an Apple Watch, and AirPods simultaneously. Users can currently save a significant amount on the typical listing price, and the accessory is available in a variety of colors. However, while options like white, pink, blue, and more are available, keep in mind that different colors may impact the price.

With support for a variety of Apple devices (be sure to check the page for the full list), the Anlmz charging stand can provide 10W of power for an iPhone, 3W for an Apple Watch, and 5W for AirPods. To carry this power, the stand comes with an 18W fast-charging adaptor, and security measures are in place to ensure a stable flow. This includes a trickle mode that helps prevent overcharging and overcurrent, and includes short-circuit protection.

With a 4.3-star rating and over 40,385 reviews on Amazon, users give this stand high marks for its ability to charge multiple devices and ease of use. Though several customers give the device points for its functionality, multiple users do report that the charging speeds could be faster. Some have even reported that the device stopped working for them after a period of time. However, 82% of customers give this item 4-stars or higher, making it a rather cool iPhone accessory not made by Apple.

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The Samsung S Pen is a stylus that comes built in with all current Galaxy Ultra phones. It’s helpful for note-taking, and there are even useful S Pen features that streamline how you launch or control certain apps. But have you ever noticed a weird smell coming from your S Pen? Galaxy Ultra owners have been reporting a “burning smell” ever since the S Pen was added as a feature to the Galaxy S22 Ultra phone. The issue is so prevalent that practically everyone who has owned a Galaxy Ultra phone in the last few years has noticed it at one point or another.

An official statement from Samsung in 2024 explained that “there may be a smell resembling burning emanating from the S Pen due to the new product’s plastic or rubber components.” A Samsung representative further explained (via Samsung Community) that the S Pen sits close to the phone’s heat-generating internal components when it’s in its holster. This causes the pen’s plastic and rubber exterior to heat up, resulting in the notorious scent.

The Samsung Galaxy S26 series of phones was released on March 11, 2026. In the months since these latest models launched, wary users have paid close attention to the S Pen to see if that all-too-familiar odor is still around. Luckily, S26 owners have reported that the worrisome smell seems to finally be gone — and we didn’t notice it when we reviewed the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra either.

Should you be worried if you notice the S Pen smell?

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The burning smell coming from the Samsung S Pen does not necessarily indicate that the peripheral has been fried. Rather, you can think of it more like the harmless scent that your car’s plastic and upholstery give off after sitting in the sun. The S Pen does contain electronic components that allow it to communicate wirelessly with the phone, but reports about the pen’s smell do not coincide with claims that the pen has lost any electronic functionality. In all likelihood, an unpleasant odor coming from your S Pen is just a mild inconvenience.

What is worrisome, though, is when the burning smell is coming from the phone itself. Power surges resulting from using cheap cables or charging your phone during a thunderstorm can fry the phone’s internal components. You should also be cautious of any scent resembling nail polish remover, as this can be a sign that the phone’s lithium-ion battery is leaking. The worst part about the constant S Pen smell is that it might mask these types of problems. It’s important to never be complacent about strange odors, even if you’ve become desensitized to that signature S Pen smell.

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Arguably one of the coolest characters in the “Star Wars” franchise is scruffy-looking nerf-herder Han Solo (Harrison Ford), who was initially going to get iced a lot sooner than he did in “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.” The plan was for Solo to die in “Star Wars: Return of the Jedi,” which certainly would have made for a sci-fi movie with a very different ending. However, after careful consideration, the death was scrapped, sparking behind-the-scenes issues and prompting one creative voice to abandon this pillar of 70s fantasy movies altogether. 

In an interview with the L.A. Times, Gary Kurtz, who produced both “Star Wars” and “The Empire Strikes Back,” felt that Han’s death would have provided a more impactful ending than the one we got. “The original idea was that they would recover [the kidnapped] Han Solo in the early part of the story and that he would then die in the middle part of the film in a raid on an Imperial base,” Kurtz explained. “George then decided he didn’t want any of the principals killed. By that time, there were really big toy sales and that was a reason.” 

This was one of the first of many creative issues that didn’t sit right with Kurtz, including a gripe about the reconstruction of the Death Star: “So we agreed that I should probably leave.” While Kurtz might not have had the ending he hoped for, fragments of it would reappear decades later in another “Star Wars” film. 

Kurtz wanted a spaghetti western ending for Return of the Jedi

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Instead of fireworks and dancing teddy bears celebrating the downfall of the Empire, Kurtz had an ending where the good guys won, only at a greater cost. “We had an outline, and George changed everything in it,” Kurtz said. “Instead of bittersweet and poignant, he wanted a euphoric ending with everybody happy.”

The initial draft saw the Rebel Alliance win the day, but end up in an even worse state than when we met them, with Leia taking the title of queen and the job that came with it. Meanwhile, the hero’s journey of Luke Skywalker (who almost had a much darker name) saw him wandering off on his own, which Kurtz described as “like Clint Eastwood in the spaghetti westerns.”

In hindsight, this alternate ending would’ve been more fitting given where the future trilogy and closing chapters of the Skywalker saga ended up. The route of the wandering loner aligns with the Luke we meet in “The Last Jedi,” ending up as the forgotten hero who chose the life of a recluse. Had Kurtz and Lucas met somewhere in the middle, we might have had an even better ending in “Return of the Jedi” and, as a result, “The Rise of Skywalker.” Then again, were that the case, we’d have missed out on a teddy bear party, which the franchise simply couldn’t be without now.

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