PC Magazine - March 2022

CONTENTS
MARCH 2022
FIRST WORD
Clean Thoughts
WHAT’S NEW NOW
WINDOWS REQUIRES A
MINIMUM OF 8 HOURS
ONLINE TO UPDATE
SUCCESSFULLY
Microsoft identified this as the main
reason some devices aren’t achieving
a ‘fully up-to-date’ state.
NASA PLANS TO CRASH THE

INTERNATIONAL SPACE
STATION INTO THE OCEAN
But not for a few more years...
STARLINK’S NEW PREMIUM

TIER IS FAST BUT SUPER
EXPENSIVE
If you have 500 bucks per month to
spend on internet service, Starlink’s
premium tier can be yours in Q2.
COMMENTARY
SASCHA SEGAN
The Samsung Galaxy S22 Brings
Credit: Thomas Winz / Getty Images

One 5G Feature You’ll Really Want
WILL GREENWALD
Elon Musk’s Neuralink
Hyperbole Is Setting Impossibly
High Expectations
KIM KEY
Don’t Give Away Your Info! Read
App Privacy Policies
REVIEWS
CONSUMER
ELECTRONICS
Peloton Heart Rate Band
Peloton Heart Rate Band Joby Wavo POD
Joby Wavo POD
2022 Tesla Model 3
HARDWARE
2022 Tesla Model 3 HP Envy 34
HP Envy 34 All-in-One
All-in-One (2022)
(2022)
ECS Liva Z3
Logitech POP Keys ECS Liva Z3

Logitech POP Keys
Mechanical Wireless Mechanical
Keyboard Wireless Keyboard
SOFTWARE & APPS

Adobe XD Adobe XD Atlas VPN
Atlas VPN
FEATURES
COVER STORY
25 SIMPLE WAYS TO CLEAN UP
YOUR DIGITAL LIFE
Organize, disinfect, declutter: Our tips HOW TO CLEAN YOUR
will help you do your tech spring LAPTOP THE RIGHT WAY
cleaning effectively and safely.
HOW TO DECLUTTER
RESPONSIBLY: REUSE,
RECYCLE, RESELL
HOW TO CLEAN A
SMARTWATCH OR FITNESS
TRACKER
HOW TO PURGE YOUR
DIGITAL CLUTTER
HOW TO FREE UP DISK SPACE
IN WINDOWS
HOW TO DISINFECT YOUR
DIGITAL DEVICES FROM
VIRUSES AND GERMS
TIPS & HOW TOS
8 SIMPLE ROBOT VACUUM

TIPS TO HELP KEEP YOUR
FLOORS CLEAN WITHOUT
LIFTING A FINGER
These simple setup, scheduling, and
maintenance get your robot vacuum
working for you—and not the other
way around.
THE WHY AXIS
THESE US STATES PAY TECH

WORKERS THE HIGHEST
SALARIES
Tech workers in Alabama make vastly
more than everyone else.
Getty Images/Malte Mueller
PC MAGAZINE DIGITAL EDITION I SUBSCRIBE I MARCH 2022

FIRST WORD
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
Clean Thoughts
As I walked to my local pottery class last Our story package in this issue encompasses
night at a little before 6:30, I realized a very most everything you need to know about
exciting thing: There was still light in the cleaning your digital devices. But we also
sky! I’m writing this in late February, which delve into decluttering responsibly (reuse,
might seem a bit soon to be thinking about recycle, resell); disinfecting the gear you use
spring cleaning, but that realization was a daily; and even organizing and purging your
heads-up for me: Time has marched on, virtual clutter—for example, gigantic email
and the world will be thawing out very soon. backlogs (guilty).
6ROHW¶VNLFNLWR̆
Even though cleaning everything you own is
Our phones, computers, smartwatches, traditionally a spring ritual, we hope you
Fitbits, headphones, tablets… These are all have been (or will be) taking care of your
things we touch a lot. We wear them, eat expensive digital equipment throughout the
while we’re using them, take them entire year. Our tips in the issue will help
everywhere we go, and sometimes even let you do both: ongoing maintenance and
other people touch them. (Some of us don’t; deep cleans.
a friend of mine refuses to let anyone near
Let me know what you’ve tried, which tips
his devices, saying “Personal tech
you found most useful, and whether we
is personal!”)
missed anything—and please share any of
So it shouldn’t be surprising that they get so your own tips! And happy (early) spring.
grimy. And remember, you can’t even see
all the nasties: You want your gear to look carol_mangis@pcmag.com
good, but you also don’t want it harboring
bacteria and (shudder) viruses.
Carol Mangis manages the PCMag Digital Edition.

Her first job in tech journalism was at PC
Magazine; she also worked for Consumer Reports.
She’s fascinated by technology’s evolution.
@cmangis

READER INPUT
YOUR COMMENTS
I wish millions of people could read this article. When

I cite a couple of these myths, especially about laptop
batteries, I get all kinds of reactions, and then I have
to try to talk people away from a myth somewhat
ingrained because they have been living it for years.
Maybe PCMag could contact [The New York Times,
The Wall Street Journal], and USA Today to have
Mythical this piece reprinted in those papers.
—Ben Myers
Features
,DJUHH,DOUHDG\NQRZWKLVVWX̆EXWWKLVZDVD
great rundown of things I constantly have to try
to explain to people, and it’s clear and succinct.
I’m going to forward it to a lot of them.
—SuchObvious
Readers were happy to see
“Premium HDMI Cables Provide a Better Picture”: I
common and uncommon
would disagree with this one. Having used a large
tech myths debunked in our
number of HDMI cables in laptops, there are
February issue.
certainly some that carry the signal better. That
premium buys you less signal loss and makes the
cable more likely to work with poor signal sources,
like many laptops [provide]. It’s not so much a “better
picture”; it’s either a picture or no picture at all.
When the signal fails, the monitor just plain old drops
to black.
—Al
You’re right about bad cables outputting no

picture at all (versus “better picture”), which is
why the better-picture myth is exactly that. But I
don’t think a higher quality cable will output
video that a cheaper, but appropriately
specced, cable will not. I’m not a digital
signal transmission expert and could
certainly be wrong, but I think the
signal itself is an all or nothing deal,
and if it’s missing information, your
Ask us a
question ?
Have a question about a story in
PC Magazine, one of the products
source won’t output any video, we cover, or how to better use a
regardless of cable quality. Expensive tech product you own? Email us at
snake-oil cables are an even bigger letters@pcmag.com and we’ll
industry within the audiophile respond to your question here.
Questions may be edited slightly
community, and hugely polarizing. I
for content and clarity.
can understand buying premium cables
for aesthetic reasons, but those who
buy them invariably claim they improve
sound quality, and thus, the sky has
become the limit with respect to both
prices and absurd manufacturer claims.
—theoldhenk
As an electrical engineer, I can

guarantee you that you are losing
signal in the cheaper cables.
—Al
As an electrical engineer, this is

only true to a point. There are few
reasons to buy a $50 cable—
distance or in-wall use are two
reasons for more expensive cables.
But $20 is the most you should ever
spend, for most people.
—Timothy Valdez

WHAT’S NEW NOW
OPERATING SYSTEMS
Windows Requires a Minimum of 8

Hours Online to Update Successfully
Microsoft identified this as the main reason some devices aren’t
achieving a ‘fully up-to-date’ state.
BY MATTHEW HUMPHRIES
8SGDWLQJ:LQGRZVFDQEHDIUXVWUDWLQJSURFHVVEXW0LFURVRIWKDVLGHQWL¿HGD Image: Shutterstock/AFANASEV IVAN

key factor in why devices may struggle to achieve the state of “fully up-to-date.”
In a post on the Microsoft Tech Community website, via BleepingComputer,

David Guyer, Program Manager for Windows Updates in Endpoint Manager,
explains how a device running Windows needs two periods of time connected to
WKHLQWHUQHWDQG:LQGRZV8SGDWHWRVXFFHVVIXOO\XSGDWH7KH¿UVWSHULRG
spans “two continuous connected hours” followed by “six total connected
hours” after an update is released.
That total time of eight connected hours ensures any update Microsoft releases
for its operating systems will be installed successfully. Guyer says the time a
device is powered on and connected to Microsoft services such as Windows
Update is referred to as “Update Connectivity” internally. The eight-hour period
is therefore known as the “minimum Update Connectivity measurement.”
Although Guyer’s post is clearly aimed at business users, ensuring Windows is

always up-to-date is important for all users as it improves security and
reliability. If your Windows device regularly says that updates need to be
installed, or they take a long time to complete, it could be that your Update
Connectivity measurement is below the required minimum. In that case,
Microsoft encourages users to leave their devices powered on and connected to
the internet for longer. Leaving it on overnight is suggested as a solution.

WHAT’S NEW NOW
SPACE
NASA Plans to Crash the International

Space Station Into the Ocean
But not for a few more years
BY NATHANIEL MOTT
Image: NASA
NASA wants to crash the International Space Station (ISS) into the ocean—but
not until 2031. The space agency says in a press release that it plans to operate
the ISS until 2030. As we head into the next decade, however, the long-running
space station will be retired to make room for “one or more commercially
owned and operated [low Earth orbit] destinations (CLDs).”
“It is NASA’s goal to be one of many customers of commercial LEO destination

services, purchasing only the goods and services the agency needs,” NASA says
in the updated International Space Station Transition Report. “CLDs, along
with commercial crew and cargo transportation, will provide the backbone of
the human LEO ecosystem after the ISS retires.”
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retirement: to enable deep space exploration; to
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commercial space industry; to lead and enable
international collaboration; and to inspire humankind.
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seamless transition be made from ISS to one or more
future CLDs such that no gap in the government’s
ability to use low Earth orbit space platforms is
experienced,” NASA says. “A gap could jeopardize the
strong network of international partnerships that have
matured over the last two decades.”

WHAT’S NEW NOW
INTERNET
Starlink’s New Premium Tier Is Fast But

Super Expensive
If you have 500 bucks a month to spend on internet service,
Starlink’s premium tier can be yours in Q2.
BY MICHAEL KAN
Image: Getty Images/MARK GARLICK/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

SpaceX is preparing to launch a new “Premium” Starlink tier that’ll boost
download speeds up to 500Mbps. But the satellite internet service won’t be
cheap.
The Premium tier will cost $500 per month, a major increase from the $99-per-
month rate that non-premium Starlink users currently pay. In addition,
premium users have to submit a one-time $2,500 fee for a larger dish; the
standard Starlink dish for non-premium customers is $499.
2QWKHSOXVVLGHWKH3UHPLXPWLHUGLVKZLOOEHDEOHWRR̆HUEHWWHUSHUIRUPDQFH
thanks to a new “high performance antenna,” according to a tweet from SpaceX
CEO Elon Musk.
The company’s website added: “Starlink Premium has more than double the
antenna capability of Starlink, delivering faster internet speeds and higher
throughput for the highest demand users, including businesses.” Also claimed is
WKDW3UHPLXPZLOOR̆HU³KLJKWKURXJKSXWFRQQHFWLYLW\IRUVPDOOṘFHV
storefronts, and super users across the globe,” which suggests the Premium tier
is mainly for business users or the wealthy who are based in remote areas with
slow broadband.
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“even during times of peak network usage.” But the download speeds won’t
necessarily always reach 500Mbps. Instead, the company says the dish will hit a
range from 150Mbps to 500Mbps; 150Mbps is the current speed a normal
Starlink dish can receive.
SpaceX didn’t release any specs for the new dish, but the company’s website
noted: “Starlink Premium is designed for improved performance in extreme
ZHDWKHUFRQGLWLRQV8VHUVZLOODOVREHQH¿WIURPSULRULWL]HGVXSSRUW´
SpaceX is already taking pre-orders for the Premium tier. The company plans to
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The Premium tier arrives as SpaceX is facing a massive backlog of pre-orders

for the normal Starlink service. The ongoing chip shortage has made the matter
worse, forcing the company to delay Starlink orders to numerous customers.
The Premium tier could address some of the pre-order demand, though, at least
among businesses hoping to try out Starlink. But many non-premium
FXVWRPHUVZKRFDQ¶WD̆RUGWKH3UHPLXPWLHU¶VKLJKFRVWZLOOFRQWLQXHWRZDLW
for their orders.

Sascha Sega COMMENTARY
The Samsung Galaxy S22

Brings One 5G Feature
You’ll Really Want
Hint: It should result in fewer dropped calls
and longer battery life.
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THE FIRST PHONE FOR NEW AIRWAVES?
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Sascha Segan is the lead mobile analyst for PC

Magazine. His commentary has also appeared on
Fox News, CNBC, CNN, and various radio stations
and newspapers around the world.

Will Greenwal COMMENTARY
Elon Musk’s Neuralink

Hyperbole Is Setting
Impossibly High Expectations
Neuralink’s underlying technology could
help patients with paralysis, but it’s not likely
to become a magic brain computer.
Elon Musk’s Neuralink, a company the entrepreneur started to create a
brain-to-computer interface, has been making news lately as its moves
toward human trials. It’s implanted chips in rats, a pig, and a monkey,
and wants to move up to putting one in a human.
On the surface, that’s how medical research works. Under that surface,
however, are a lot of unanswered questions and concerns about
Neuralink’s process. Also, most things involving Musk tend to
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his detractors.
I’m a skeptic, but I don’t want to completely discount Neuralink’s

technology just because it has Musk’s name attached to it. So I started
looking into the actual claims Neuralink has made, the potential of its
technology, and the current status of its research.
My conclusion? Musk’s wild predictions about Neuralink’s capabilities

have set expectations too high, potentially overshadowing the
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actually exploring.
BUILDING ON EARLIER BRAIN CHIPS

Let’s put Musk’s own claims (and recent reports of toxic management at
Neuralink) aside and focus on what the company is promising: using its
cybernetic brain implant to help people with spinal cord injuries by
restoring motor control and sensory input. This is a laudable purpose,
and not frivolous at all.
Neuralink is also promising technology that has
Will Greenwal been in development long before Neuralink was
founded. That isn’t a knock on Neuralink; all
@AggroWill
complex technology is based on previous

research.
BrainGate is a notable project from researchers at

Stanford and Brown Universities that dates back
to 2004. It’s been exploring the use of electrodes
to track neural impulses and to enable direct
control of computers and robotics components
with the brain. In 2008, BrainGate published a
paper detailing a brain-computer connection that
let subjects move an on-screen cursor. In 2012, it
demonstrated another cybernetic connection
enabling a paralyzed individual to control a
robotic arm and even to pick up and drink from a
bottle. By 2017, that level of control enabled text-
based input of 39 characters per minute. Just last
year, it showed that the previously wired
connections could be made fully wireless with
similar results.
Those are some impressive advancements, each

one thoroughly detailed in 16 research papers.
They show a path for a cybernetic brain implant
that could restore motor functions for people with
spinal damage. Neuralink can build on that work
and possibly make a chip that’s small and reliable
enough to be used as a medical device outside of
controlled testing.
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realm of possibility and based on solid science.
One day we might see it enable paralyzed people
to walk again. That’s wonderful. And the
company’s plans for brain-connected mouse and
keyboard control are also clearly realistic.
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Will Greenwal promotional materials seem to be limiting claims
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proposals for the technology are the treatment of
neurological disorders and eventually making the
technology available to healthy individuals as
some form of consumer product, but that seems
very far down the line.
VAGUE ADVANCEMENTS AND A

QUESTIONABLE TIMELINE
That leaves the question of Neuralink’s own
research and where it actually stands. The
company has stated its intention to start human
WHVWLQJEXW,¶YHEHHQXQDEOHWR¿QGDQ\KDUG
information detailing how it’s been developing
the technology, outside of a single white paper
put out by Musk himself and an IEEE conference
paper that appears to be more conceptual
promotion for Neuralink, both published in 2019.
The white paper details the Neuralink interface as
a scalable platform with implantation and
impulse measurement demonstrated in rats.
Where has Neuralink been going in the past two

years? That isn’t very clear. Last year, Neuralink
posted videos of a monkey playing Pong with its
brain and a pig’s brain implants being recorded
by its own link. Those aren’t exactly research
papers, though, and Neuralink doesn’t seem to
have a lot of publicly available, hard information
on its research.
According to Musk, Neuralink hopes to have

chips in human subjects some time this year, and
that’s where problems arise. First, Neuralink is
only now recruiting a clinical trial director who
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Will Greenwal Participants.” The role involves putting together a
team to manage the research and handle
regulations regarding such testing.
That seems to imply that Neuralink does not have

FDA approval for human testing yet. The listing
says the actual procedures and frameworks for
clinical trials haven’t been developed yet, because
that’s the role of the director, which seems to
imply a lot of legwork remains before human
testing can be performed ethically, legally, and
VFLHQWL¿FDOO\
Second, Musk has been claiming that human

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published his paper in 2019.
IT’S NOT A MAGIC BRAIN COMPUTER

Neuralink has another credibility problem. While
Neuralink’s own promises have been relatively
modest, Musk has been hyping up the technology
with claims that are dubious at best, both in what
the link can do and what it can treat.
“So Neuralink ... will solve a lot of brain-related

diseases,” Musk said while promoting Neuralink
in 2019. “So could be anything from, like, autism,
schizophrenia, memory loss. Like, everyone
experiences memory loss at certain points in age.
Parents can’t remember their kids’ names and
that kind of thing.”
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from what research is available, that technology
does not exist yet. In fact, it isn’t even the
technology Neuralink is pursuing. Treating
“brain-related diseases” implies sending some
form of stimulating impulses into the brain.
Will Greenwal Theoretically—and I mean very distant
theoretically, with much, much more research on
how the brain actually functions—it could work.
The problem is, that isn’t what the link does yet.
It reads impulses from the brain, and the plan is
to use that information to enable motor control in
parayzed individuals. The data is going out of the
brain, not into it.
Treating neurodivergence is so wildly distinct

from treating paralysis that it might as well be
seen as another branch of science. In fact, it
basically is. Neurophysiology and neurology study
how the impulses of the nervous system work and
how to treat disruptions in those impulses, and
seem to be the main thrust of Neuralink’s
research. Neuropsychology and psychiatry study
the conscious functions of the brain and mental
disorders, and how to treat them. To use a very
loose car analogy, neurophysiology studies the
electrical system and neuropsychology studies the
transmission. Both are needed for the car to
ZRUNEXWWKH\GRGL̆HUHQWWKLQJVDQGUHTXLUH
GL̆HUHQWWUHDWPHQWV
Also, autism and schizophrenia aren’t brain-

related diseases. They’re conditions with complex
scopes and mechanisms that aren’t completely
understood. They also cannot be cured, nor can
their underlying causes be treated. The
expressions and symptoms of those conditions
can be treated in some cases with therapy or
PHGLFDWLRQEXWWKHUHLVQRLGHQWL¿DEOHVZLWFKLQ
WKHEUDLQWKDWFDQ³¿[´WKHP(YHQLI1HXUDOLQN
had hard evidence that it can send precise
stimulation into the brain and not just read
impulses from it, the technology still couldn’t be
used for treatment.
Will Greenwal MUSK FANS BELIEVE IT’S A MAGIC BRAIN
COMPUTER
This is a lot to make of things Musk said a few
years ago, but it’s still a problem, because droves
of people listen to him and clearly aren’t paying
attention to Neuralink’s direct statements and
materials outside of Musk’s claims.
(YHU\QHZVVWRU\DERXW1HXUDOLQNLV¿OOHGZLWK
comments from fans, ranging from “I can’t wait
to have a chip in my head” to “Why don’t you
want people to be cured of autism/
schizophrenia?” The anticipation for what will
essentially be a spinal prosthesis to treat paralysis
is through the roof because it’s Musk’s company
and because of what Musk himself has said.
Elon Musk should resist the urge to make claims

about Neuralink that aren’t remotely realistic and
WRLQÀDWHWKHH[SHFWDWLRQVRIWKHWHFKQRORJ\WR
absurd, “Ghost in the Shell”–like heights. He
shouldn’t talk about timelines, and he shouldn’t
talk about what Neuralink will be able to do in the
future, unless those statements are “Human
testing will begin when it is ethical, legal, and safe
to do so,” and “It will hopefully treat paralysis
and spinal damage, and after that, we’ll see.
Will Greenwald has been PCMag’s home

entertainment expert for over a decade,
specializing in TVs, media streaming devices,
headphones, game consoles, game accessories,
and virtual reality.

Kim Ke COMMENTARY
Don’t Give Away Your Info!

Read App Privacy Policies
Take the time to learn how companies are
using your data. Our tips can help you
protect yourself.
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REVIEWS
SOFTWARE & APPS
Credit: Peloton
Peloton Heart Rate Band: For
Peloton and Beyond
A worthwhile heart rate monitor, whether or not you use other
Peloton equipment
BY ANGELA MOSCARITOLO
If you own a Peloton bike or treadmill and want to get the most out of it, it’s a
good idea to connect a compatible heart rate monitor (HRM). Peloton machines
work with any third-party ANT+ or Bluetooth monitor—and we now have an
armband option from Peloton itself. The Peloton Heart Rate Band uses optical
technology to measure your pulse and Bluetooth to connect with any Peloton
PDFKLQHDQGGLVSOD\\RXUKHDUWUDWHRQVFUHHQ7KHGHYLFHKDV¿YHPXOWLFRORU
LED lights on the front to quickly show your heart rate zone at a glance, and it
works with third-party gym equipment and apps in addition to Peloton’s own.
,QWHVWLQJWKHEDQGR̆HUHGDFFXUDWHUHDGLQJVDQGZDVPRUHFRPIRUWDEOHWKDQ
the company’s chest strap HRM ($49), which it plans to Peloton Heart
stop selling in the coming months. That makes the Rate Band
Heart Rate Band a good option for dedicated Peloton PROS
users as well as for anyone who wants to see their heart Easily connects with
Peloton machines and
rate zone easily while working out. app. Works with third-
party equipment and
COMFORTABLE TO WEAR software. LEDs show
The Peloton Heart Rate Band is available to purchase as your heart rate zone.
Comfortable.
part of various accessory bundles or on its own. In the
box, you get the heart rate pod, an armband, a charger, CONS
No ANT+ support.
and a USB adapter. Strap is a little bulky.
The armband comes in a small or large size. It’s made of BOTTOM LINE
The Peloton Heart
a stretchy knit fabric with a grippy material on the Rate Band easily
inside so it doesn’t slip on your arm. The band has a connects with the
9HOFURIDVWHQHUVRLW¶VYHU\HDV\WRWLJKWHQDQGWDNHR̆ company’s equipment
and app—as well as
It’s fairly thick at 1.5 inches, especially compared with third-party machines
the 1-inch Polar OH1 I often use, but is otherwise and software—to
comfortable. accurately track your
pulse and show your
heart rate zone at a
The HRM uses Bluetooth for connectivity and works glance.
with all Peloton devices, including the original Bike, the
%LNHWKHQHZ7UHDGWKHR̆PDUNHW7UHDGDQGWKH
upcoming Guide smart strength-training system. The
EDQGDOVRZRUNVZLWKWKLUGSDUW\DSSVDQG¿WQHVV
machines that support Bluetooth.
Unlike Peloton’s chest strap monitor, the Heart Rate

Band doesn’t support ANT+, meaning it may not work The lights
with some non-Peloton equipment. If you plan to use it correspond with
exclusively with Peloton’s machines, that won’t be an Strive Score,
issue, but if you want to pair it with other devices, make Peloton’s metric
sure they support Bluetooth. The Wahoo Tickr Fit ($80) that measures
supports Bluetooth and ANT+, as does the Polar Verity the amount of
Sense ($89.95). time you spend
in each heart
7KHEDQGIHDWXUHV¿YH/('VRQWKHIURQWWKDWVKRZ\RXU
real-time heart rate zone as you work out, a feature you
rate zone.
don’t get with the Wahoo Tickr Fit or Polar Verity
Sense. The lights also correspond with Strive Score,
Peloton’s non-competitive metric that measures the
amount of time you spend in each heart rate zone to
help you track how hard you’ve been working during
your session.
LEFT
Top to bottom:
Peloton Heart Rate Band,
Polar OH1;
5IGHT
The Peloton Heart Rate
Band on its charger
3HORWRQVD\VWKHEDQGR̆HUVXSWRKRXUVRIEDWWHU\
life on a charge, which should be enough for several
workouts. I’ve already used it to track three 30-minute
workouts, and it still has more than 70% battery life left.
That said, the Heart Rate Band doesn’t last quite as long
as some competitors—the Wahoo Tickr Fit promises 35
hours of battery life on a charge, and the Polar Verity
6HQVHR̆HUVXSWRKRXUV
HOW THE PELOTON HEART RATE BAND WORKS

To set up the Peloton Heart Rate Band, plug the charger
in and place the pod on top to wake it; the LED lights on
WKHGLVSOD\ZLOOVKRZLWVEDWWHU\OHYHO:KHQDOO¿YH
LEDs on the band shine blue, it’s fully charged. If the
EDQGLVDVOHHS¿UPO\SUHVVWKH/('VWRVHHWKHEDWWHU\
level and put the device into pairing mode. Once it’s
charged, snap the pod into the armband.
When you’re ready to work out, just fasten the band

DURXQG\RXUIRUHDUPDWWKUHHWRIRXU¿QJHUZLGWKVIURP
your elbow crease. It should be snug enough to stay put
EXWQRWVRWLJKWWKDWLWKXUWVRUFXWVR̆\RXUFLUFXODWLRQ
Finally, log into your Peloton machine, and the Heart
Rate Band should pair automatically.
In testing, I had no problem connecting the band to the

3HORWRQDSSRQP\L3KRQH$IWHU¿UVWFRQQHFWLQJLWYLD
the Bluetooth Settings menu, the band automatically
paired with the app each time I opened it and started a
class. I also easily paired the band with several non-
Peloton machines, including the MYX II smart
stationary bike (a Peloton competitor I’m currently
testing), the NordicTrack Vault workout mirror, the
Ergatta rowing machine, and the Tempo mobile app.
Once connected, the LEDs on the Heart Rate Band all
light up to indicate your heart rate zone.
The Peloton Heart Rate Band connected to the Peloton app
Peloton calculates your Strive Score based on the

amount of time you spend in each heart rate zone. Blue
means you’re in zone 1 (up to 65% of your max heart
rate), green indicates zone 2 (65% to 75% of your max The Heart Rate
heart rate), yellow is zone 3 (75% to 85% of your max Band’s LEDs are
heart rate), orange is zone 4 (85% to 95% of your max tiny, but I could
heart rate), and red indicates zone 5 (at least 95% of see them both
your max heart rate). One white LED in the middle of indoors and
the display indicates that the band is in idle mode, outside in
meaning it’s connected to a device but doesn’t detect a the sunlight
heart rate signal. without issue.
Since you wear the Heart Rate Band on your forearm,
it’s easy to check the LEDs to see your heart rate zone.
The LEDs are tiny, but I could see them both indoors
and outside in the sunlight without issue.
The band goes to sleep after one minute of
inactivity when it’s not connected to a device
and doesn’t detect a heart rate signal. To
PDQXDOO\SXWLWWRVOHHS¿UPO\SUHVVWKH
display for four seconds.
OPTICAL ACCURACY
Similar to many Fitbit devices, the Apple
:DWFKDQGRWKHUZULVWEDVHG¿WQHVV
trackers, the Peloton Heart Rate Band uses
optical technology to read your heart rate.
Without getting too technical, optical sensors
calculate your heart rate by shining light into
\RXUVNLQDQGPHDVXULQJEORRGÀRZ
Chest straps, on the other hand, read the

small electrical signal your body creates to
make your heart constrict. They’re not as The Peloton Heart Rate
Band connected to the
comfortable to wear as armbands, but they tend to be NordicTrack Vault
slightly more accurate because they’re worn closer to
the heart and measure its activity directly.
,QWHVWLQJWKH3HORWRQ+HDUW5DWH%DQGR̆HUHGVLPLODU
readings to an Apple Watch Series 7 as well as to a
Myzone Mz-Switch chest strap. I wore all three devices
Left to right: Data from

a 30-minute run from
the Peloton Heart Rate
Band, the Myzone Mz-
Switch, and the
Apple Watch Series 7
during a 30-minute outdoor Rock Run class led by Peloton coach Andy Speer,
and the Heart Rate Band said I had a maximum heart rate of 191bpm and an
average heart rate of 171bpm. For that same session, the Mz-Switch said I had a
maximum heart rate of 187bpm and an average heart rate of 169bpm, while the
Apple Watch showed a maximum rate of 191bpm and an average of 168bpm.
When I participated in a 25-minute full-body strength session with the Tempo

Move, the Peloton Heart Rate Band showed I had an average and maximum
heart rate of 143bpm and 182bpm, respectively. For the same session, the Mz-
Switch said I had an average and maximum heart rate of 149bpm and 180bpm,
and the Apple Watch showed average and maximum rates of 153bpm and
182bpm. All of these results are similar enough that I’m comfortable with the
Peloton band’s accuracy.
A HEART RATE MONITOR FOR PELOTON AND BEYOND

For those of you who own a Peloton Bike or Tread as well as the company’s
branded cycling shoes, weights, and apparel, it’s easy to recommend adding the
Heart Rate Band to your collection of Peloton gear. The monitor seamlessly
SDLUVZLWK3HORWRQ¶VPDFKLQHVDQGDSSDFFXUDWHO\WUDFNV\RXUSXOVHR̆HUV
enough battery life for several workouts between charges, and features LEDs
that show your real-time heart rate zone. It also works with third-party
%OXHWRRWKHQDEOHG¿WQHVVPDFKLQHVDQGDSSVVKRXOG\RXHYHUVWUD\IURP\RXU
Peloton bubble. If you’re not part of the Peloton cult, you might want to
consider an optical tracker with both Bluetooth and ANT+ support, such as the
aforementioned Wahoo Tickr Fit, which also has longer battery life. Unlike the
Heart Rate Band, however, it lacks LEDs to show your heart rate zone.
Photos by Angela Moscaritolo

REVIEWS
CONSUMER ELECTRONICS
Credit: Joby
Joby Wavo POD: Affordable
and Versatile
A great voice mic for podcasters and streamers
BY WILL GREENWALD
The GorillaPod adjustable tripod put Joby on the map in the world of content
creation, and now the company is reaching beyond phone and camera mounts
with its Wavo line of microphones. Most of the models in this line are
situational and geared toward professionals, including the Wavo PRO shotgun
mic and the Wavo Lav PRO lavalier mic, but that doesn’t mean desktop
podcasters and streamers have been forgotten. The Wavo POD is a desktop USB
PLFURSKRQHWKDWR̆HUVORDGVRIIHDWXUHVIRUWKHSULFHLQFOXGLQJFDUGLRLGDQG
omnidirectional recording patterns, onboard gain adjustment, a lag-free
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extremely clean, making it ideal for any task that Joby Wavo POD
requires voice capture. The Wavo POD’s strong value PROS
earns it our Editors’ Choice award for USB mics, sitting Crisp, clear sound for
recording voices.
FRPIRUWDEO\EHWZHHQWKHXOWUDD̆RUGDEOHDQGVLPSOH Cardioid and
%OXH6QRZEDOO,FHDQGKLJKHUHQGDGYDQFHG omnidirectional
PRGHOVVXFKDVWKH$SRJHH+\SH0L& modes. Headphone
jack. Multiple screw
mounts.
BLACK MIC, RED POP FILTER, LOTS OF
MOUNTING OPTIONS CONS
Doesn’t capture much
The Wavo POD looks like a simple black capsule- bass and can be
shaped USB mic, similar in design to the Blue Yeti X sibilant without the
and JLab Talk Pro. The front features a multifunction included pop filter.
Combination volume/
knob with a light ring around it; by default, the light is gain knob is slightly
blue, and the knob controls the output volume on the awkward.
headphone jack. Pressing the knob once mutes the mic, BOTTOM LINE
and pressing it again unmutes it. Pressing and holding The $100 Joby Wavo
the knob for a few seconds while the ring is blue turns POD offers
impressively clean
the light purple to indicate that the knob now controls audio and several
mic gain, not volume. This isn’t quite as convenient as welcome features not
separate gain and volume knobs, but we appreciate that often found on USB
microphones at this
both functions are available. price.
A button below the knob switches the mic between
cardioid and omnidirectional patterns, with blue LEDs
showing which mode is currently active. The bottom
end of the microphone has a USB-C port for connecting
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86%$FDEOHVDUHLQFOXGHGDPPKHDGSKRQHMDFN
DQGDLQFKXQLYHUVDOPRXQW7KHPRXQWLVDSODVWLF The Joby
DGDSWHUWKDWFDQXQVFUHZIURPWKHPLFWRUHYHDOD Wavo POD
LQFKXQLYHUVDOPRXQWDQG\RX¶OO¿QGDLQFK microphone
universal mount by unscrewing the metal base from the sounds extremely
stand the mic is mounted on. That’s the full gamut of clean, making it
standard mounts, and it’s impressive to see this on a ideal for any task
PLF that requires
Speaking of the stand, the Wavo POD is mounted with
voice capture.
WZRWKXPEVFUHZNQREVWRD8VKDSHGVXSSRUWRQDÀDW
circular metal base. Quarter-inch screw holes below the
mounting points on the support let you attach mounts
for additional devices, such as a GorillaPod Arm Kit for
holding a phone. The screw mounts are metal, but both
the support and the body of the mic are plastic. They
both feel solid, if not as premium as metal-bodied mics.
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UHGSRS¿OWHUFRPHVLQVWDOOHGRQWKHPLFPRXQWHGZLWKDWKLUGWKXPEVFUHZ
knob on the back and a three-point ring that wraps around the metal grille on
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SHUIRUDWHGPHWDOSODWHWKDWÀRDWVDERXWDQLQFKLQIURQWRIWKHPLF
CRISP, CLEAN VOICE RECORDING

The Wavo POD is a condenser microphone with cardioid and omnidirectional
SRODUSDWWHUQV,WVXSSRUWVELWN+]UHFRUGLQJZLWKDVHQVLWLYLW\RIG%
DQGJDLQDGMXVWPHQWEHWZHHQDQGG%
Test recordings through the mic sounded clean and crisp, with strong frequency
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from my voice, but my words came through very clearly. Certain higher sounds
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SRS¿OWHUNHSWDQ\XQSOHDVDQWOLSVPDFNLQJIURPFRPLQJWKURXJK
This balance clearly establishes the Wave POD as a microphone best suited for
voice recording, so you should probably look elsewhere if you want to capture
music. For podcasting, streaming, or any other voice work, however, it works
H[WUHPHO\ZHOO,W¶VFDSDEOHERWKIRUVLQJOHXVHUVDQGPXOWLSOHSHRSOHWKDQNVWR
the cardioid and omnidirectional patterns, and while it doesn’t have
bidirectional or stereo recording modes, as do the Blue Yeti X and JLab Talk
Pro, those settings aren’t quite as necessary for voice recording.
AFFORDABLE, FLEXIBLE RECORDING FOR
CONTENT CREATORS
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friendly USB microphone, the Wavo POD gets a lot As Joby’s first
ULJKW)RUMXVWLWKDVWZRUHFRUGLQJSDWWHUQVDSRS attempt at a
¿OWHURQERDUGYROXPHDQGJDLQDGMXVWPHQWD podcast- and
headphone jack, and support for virtually any boom streamer-
DUPRUPRXQW,WGRHVQ¶WFDSWXUHPXFKEDVVDQGLWV friendly USB
combination volume-and-gain knob is a bit clunky, but microphone, the
it’s still an excellent value considering its features and Wavo POD gets a
voice-recording quality, earning it our Editors’ Choice lot right.
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recording quality lag behind those of the Wavo POD.
For more professional applications, the Apogee
+\SH0LFR̆HUVN+]ELWUHFRUGLQJDQGDEXLOWLQ
DQDORJFRPSUHVVRU²EXWDWLWFRVWVDORWPRUH
Photos by Joby

REVIEWS
CONSUMER ELECTRONICS
Credit: Tesla
2022 Tesla Model 3: The
Benchmark for EVs
Top-notch technology
BY DOUG NEWCOMB
Unless you live in a cave or drive a horse and buggy, you probably know that
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(9VDUHMXVWDVYLDEOHDVWKH\DUHGHVLUDEOH7HVOD¶V0RGHOLVWKHVPDOOHVWDQG
PRVWD̆RUGDEOHFDUWKHFRPSDQ\PDNHVDQGWKXVLWVPRVWPDLQVWUHDP$SDUW
IURPVWDQGDUGDPHQLWLHVVXFKDVDODUJHLQIRWDLQPHQWGLVSOD\DQGFXWWLQJHGJH
driver assists, the latest version gets a few physical updates, including a new
wheel design, a power trunk lid, and wireless charging for two devices. Several
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VLPLODUUDQJHEXWWKRVHYHKLFOHVGRQ¶WEHQH¿WIURP7HVOD¶VPRGHORIRYHUWKHDLU
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UHDVRQVWKH7HVOD0RGHOLVRXU(GLWRUV¶&KRLFHZLQQHUIRUPDLQVWUHDP(9V
TOP-NOTCH RANGE AND TECH 2022 Tesla
Model 3
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7KHEDVHPRGHOVLPSO\FDOOHG0RGHOLVUHDUZKHHO PROS
Segment-leading
GULYHDQGVWDUWVDW7KHRWKHUWZRPRGHOVDUH range. Superior (and
GXDOPRWRUDOOZKHHOGULYHZLWKWKH0RGHO/RQJ fun) performance.
Range starting at $50,990 and the Model 3 High-tech driver
assists.
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.RQD(OHFWULFFRVWVVLJQL¿FDQWO\OHVVDWDQG CONS
Doesn’t capture much
the Volkswagen ID.4 starts at $45,190. bass and can be
sibilant without the
:HWHVWHGWKHPRGHORIWKHFDUZKLFKKDVWKH included pop filter.
VDPH/RQJ5DQJHDQG3HUIRUPDQFHWULPVEXWWKHEDVH Combination volume/
gain knob is slightly
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0RGHO$VLGHIURPWKLVWKHRQO\RWKHUQRWDEOHFKDQJH
BOTTOM LINE
EHWZHHQWKHWZRPRGHO\HDUVLVDVOLJKWLQFUHDVHLQ The $100 Joby Wavo
UDQJHIRU7HVODOLVWVDUDQJHRIPLOHVRQWKH POD offers
EDVHPRGHODQGPLOHVRQWKH/RQJ5DQJHWULP impressively clean
audio and several
FRPSDUHGZLWK(3$UDWLQJVRIDQGIRUWKH welcome features not
PRGHOV7KH3HUIRUPDQFHWULPUHPDLQVWKHVDPH often found on USB
DWPLOHV microphones at this
price.
Credit: Tesla
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upholstery.
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touch screen with a web browser and navigation capabilities, and a wireless
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and front and rear parking sensors are standard.
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because Tesla doesn’t use traditional gauges and
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screen handles nearly every vehicle setting, and you use
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REVIEWS
HARDWARE
HP Envy 34 All-in-One (2022): For

Creative Pros
This 5K-screen all-in-one merits “wide” acclaim.
BY MATTHEW BUZZI
Mirroring the overall contraction of the desktop PC market, all-in-one models

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FRPSDFW1=;7EXLOG,WHGJHVRXWWKH0L0DFWRRDQGGRPLQDWHVWKH$FHU
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other professionals who need raw horsepower, one of For professionals
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horsepower,
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one of the
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traditional
IRUPRVWSURIHVVLRQDOVEXWWKHGHVLJQPDNHVWKHP
desktop systems
GL̇FXOWWRSLWWRHWRWRHZLWKZHOORXW¿WWHGWRZHU3&V
(or a dedicated
,I\RX¶UHLQWKDWVHFRQGFDPSDQGZRXOGORYHWKHGLVSOD\ workstation) is a
DQGGHVLJQDQG\RXQHHGRQO\DERYHDYHUDJH better bet.
processing, the performance chops shown here are
PRUHWKDQHQRXJK
Graphics tests:HWHVW:LQGRZV3&V¶JUDSKLFVZLWK
WZR'LUHFW;JDPLQJVLPXODWLRQVIURP8/¶V'0DUN
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8QIRUWXQDWHO\7LPH6S\ZRXOGQ¶WFRPSOHWHLWVUXQRQWKH(QY\DFRQÀLFW
ZLWKWKHWHVWQRWDQ\GH¿FLHQF\VRZHKDYHRQO\WKH1LJKW5DLGUHVXOWVIRULW
:LWKRXW¿UVWFRPSDULQJZLWKWKHRWKHUGHVNWRSVWKH(QY\¶VPRELOHFODVV57;
FDQSXWRXWVROLG'SHUIRUPDQFHIRUPRGHUDWHZRUNORDGVDQGVRPH
PLGUDQJHJDPLQJ7KDW¶VZKDWZH¶YHFRPHWRH[SHFWIURPWKLV*38DQGLW
XVXDOO\SURYLGHVDJRRGYDOXHZKHQVHHQLQJDPLQJODSWRSV7KRXJKQRWDKLJK
HQG57;*38QRUDSURIHVVLRQDO4XDGURFDUGLW¶VDIDUFU\DERYHLQWHJUDWHG
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SURQRXQFHGWKDQRQWKHSURGXFWLYLW\WHVWVDQGWKDW¶VQRWVXUSULVLQJFRQVLGHULQJ
WKHPRELOH57;$VJRRGDVODSWRS*38VKDYHEHFRPHWKHUH¶VQR
RXWUXQQLQJWKHUPRG\QDPLFVDQGWKHFKLSVLPSO\FDQ¶WFRPSHWHZLWKWKHIRRW
ORQJJUDSKLFVFDUGVXVHGLQPRVWIXOOVL]HGHVNWRSWRZHUV
A FAST AND ELEGANT AIO OPTION

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DSXUHGROODUWRSHUIRUPDQFHEDVLVDVWDQGDUGWRZHUZLWKKLJKHQGSDUWVZLOO
EHVXSHULRUEXWWKDW¶VQRWZK\\RXEX\DQ$,2&UHDWLYHSURIHVVLRQDOVLQ
SDUWLFXODUFDQPDNHJUHDWXVHRIDSOXJDQGJRV\VWHPZLWKDELJEULOOLDQW
VFUHHQSOHQW\RIXVHIXOFRQQHFWLYLW\DQGJHQHUDOO\IDVWSHUIRUPDQFH$QG
PXOWLZLQGRZPXOWLWDVNHUVZLOOJREXJH\HGZLWKGHOLJKWDWWKLVPRGHO¶V
DYDLODEOHVLGHWRVLGHVFUHHQUHDOHVWDWH
:HKDYHQ¶WVHHQYHU\PDQ\LQQRYDWLYHQHZ$,2VRXWWKHUHRIODWHVRE\
delivering excellence in the screen, where it matters most, and with a camera
DQG&38WKDWDUHDVUREXVWDVSRVVLEOHWKH+3(QY\LVHYHQPRUHDSSHDOLQJ
,W¶VRXUQHZWRSSLFNIRUKLJKHQGDOOLQRQHGHVNWRS3&V
Photos by Molly Flores

REVIEWS
HARDWARE
ECS Liva Z3: A Basic Mini-PC

Small PC, price, and performance
BY BRIAN WESTOVER
Been shopping for a tiny desktop around the internet? The ECS Liva Z3 is going
WRORRNSUHWW\IDPLOLDU7KHVHGD\VPLQL3&VIURPPDQ\GL̆HUHQW
PDQXIDFWXUHUVORRNOLNHWKH\DOOFRPHR̆WKHVDPHDVVHPEO\OLQH6LPLODUER[\
SUR¿OHVDQGEDVLFEODFNSDQHOVORRNOLNHVRPHERG\FRSLHGDQGSDVWHGWKH,QWHO
NUC over and over again, with minor cosmetic changes here and there. The
ECS Liva Z3 doesn’t stray from that template, looking just like the recently
UHYLHZHG%HHOLQN*.0LQLDQGRWKHU18&OLNHV\VWHPV%XWLWVWLOOKDV
VRPHWKLQJWRR̆HUDORZSULFHWKDWPDNHVLWDJUHDWEXGJHWFKRLFH7KDW¶V
provided, of course, that you can accept the performance limitations that come
with the Liva Z3’s Pentium processor and eMMC storage.
COMPACT, BUT NOT COMPLEX ECS Liva Z3
,WPD\QRWEHWKHWLQLHVWPLQL3&ZH¶YHUHYLHZHGEXW PROS
WKH/LYD=LVSUHWW\VPDOO0HDVXULQJMXVWE\E\ Small, easy to hide.
Included mounting gear.
5 inches (HWD), it’s in the same vein as the smaller Access for storage and
LWHUDWLRQVRIWKH,QWHO18&ZLWKDVLPSOHVTXDUHVKDSH memory upgrades. HDMI
DQGUHPRYDEOHWRSDQGERWWRPSODVWLFSDQHOV7KHEDVLF and mini DisplayPort
with 4K support.
EODFNFRORUVFKHPHDQGJORVV\SODVWLFSDQHOVDUHVLPSOH Affordable.
DQGLQR̆HQVLYHVR\RXFDQXVHWKLVEODFNER[SUHWW\
CONS
much anywhere—or just stash it out of sight. The Modest performance
SRXQG/LYD=FRPHVZLWKD9(6$PRXQWLQJSODWH rules out complex tasks.
WKDWOHWV\RXDWWDFKLWWRWKHEDFNRIDPRQLWRU Peripherals not included.
BOTTOM LINE
9HQWLODWLRQRQWKHVLGHVRIWKHVTXDUHFKDVVLVNHHSV The ECS Liva Z3 is a
things cool without any noisy fans, and the Z3 opens up basic mini PC that
resembles many other
HDVLO\LQWKHHYHQWWKDW\RXZDQWWRXSJUDGHWKH5$0RU Intel NUC-style desktops,
DGGVWRUDJH<RXFDQEXPSXSWKHV\VWHPWR*%RI but it comes in well
5$0DQGLWKDVDQ03&,HVORWIRUDGGLQJDQ66' under $300 fully
configured. Just expect
limited performance
%XLOWLQWRWKHVPDOO3&LVDIRXUPLFURSKRQHDUUD\ from its inexpensive
HYLGHQFHGE\IRXUEDUHO\QRWLFHDEOHSLQKROHVDORQJWKH components.
front of the enclosure. These mics are handy for using
applications such as Zoom without a headset or desktop
PLFEXWWKH\¶UHLQWHQGHGIRUXVHZLWK$PD]RQ$OH[DRQ
:LQGRZV7XUQLQJ\RXUPLQL3&LQWRDQ$OH[DSRZHUHG
device is as easy as downloading a free app.
2QIURQWRIWKHFKDVVLVLVDWULRRI86%SRUWVDORQJ
ZLWKDVLQJOH86%7\SH&SRUWDQGDPPKHDGVHW
MDFN2QWKHEDFNDUHWZR86%MDFNVDQGD*LJDELW
/$1SRUWDQ+'0,RXWSXWDQGDPLQL'LVSOD\3RUW
WKHODVWWZRDUHERWKFDSDEOHRIXSWR.UHVROXWLRQ
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%OXHWRRWKWKRXJKWKH/LYD=FDQDOVREHFRQ¿JXUHG sides keeps
ZLWK:L)L things cool, and
TESTING THE LIVA Z3: AFFORDABLE PENTIUM PEP the Z3 opens up
2XU(&6/LYD=UHYLHZXQLWZDVRXW¿WWHGZLWKDQ,QWHO easily in the
3HQWLXP6LOYHU1&38EDFNHGE\*%RIPHPRU\ event that you
DQG*%RIH00&VWRUDJH7KLVGLPLQXWLYH,QWHO want to upgrade
³-DVSHU/DNHÉDVHGGHVNWRSFDQDOVREHFRQ¿JXUHG the RAM or
ZLWK&HOHURQ1DQG1SURFHVVRUVXSWR*% add storage.
RI5$0DQGDQRSWLRQDO66'IRUVWRUDJH
)RUSHUIRUPDQFHEHQFKPDUNFRPSDULVRQVZH¶UH
ORRNLQJDWVHYHUDOPLQL3&VWKDWPD\EHRXWZDUGO\
VLPLODUEXWWKDWOLHDFURVVDZLGHUDQJHRIKDUGZDUH
options and price points. These comparisons include
V\VWHPVWKDWDUHVLPLODUWRWKH/LYD=VXFKDVWKH,QWHO
&HOHURQ±HTXLSSHG%HHOLQN*.0LQLDVZHOODVPRUH
SRZHUIXOFRQWHQGHUVVXFKDVWKH&RUHL,QWHO18&
3UR.LWDQGWKH$0'5\]HQEDVHG(&6/LYD43OXV
:LWKSULFHVUDQJLQJIURPWKHXOWUDD̆RUGDEOHRI
RXUUHYLHZXQLWWRQRUWKRIIRUWKH06,&XEL
0WKLVPL[VKRZVKRZYDULHGWKHPLQL3&FDWHJRU\
FDQEH6RPHDUHIRUVLPSOHXVHVOLNHVLJQDJHRUUHWDLO We use UL’s
SRLQWRIVDOHV\VWHPVRWKHUVDUHPRUHSRZHUIXO PCMark 10
GHVNWRSVWKDWR̆HUUHDOSURGXFWLYHFDSDELOLW\ benchmark,
which simulates
To measure general performance in everyday tasks, we real-world office
XVH8/¶V3&0DUNEHQFKPDUNZKLFKVLPXODWHVUHDO tasks and
ZRUOGṘFHWDVNVDQGFRQWHQWFUHDWLRQZRUNÀRZV content-creation
Though the Liva Z3 couldn’t match systems like the
workflows.
,QWHO18&3URDQGWKH06,&XEL0ZKLFK
HPSOR\,QWHO&RUHLSURFHVVRUVLWEHDWRXWWKH&HOHURQ
HTXLSSHG%HHOLQN*.0LQL,WDOVRFDPHWDQWDOL]LQJO\
FORVHWRPDWFKLQJWKH$0'5\]HQ±HTXLSSHG/LYD4
Plus, a more powerful system from the same
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VHHQHPEHGGHGYHUVLRQRIWKH5\]HQOLQHQRWDPRUH
FRQVXPHUPLQGHGPRELOHRUGHVNWRSFKLS
)RUDFOHDUHUORRNDW&38SHUIRUPDQFHDORQHZHXVH0D[RQ¶V&LQHEHQFK5
UHQGHULQJWHVW7KH/LYD=LVFOHDUO\QRWPHDQWIRUSURFHVVRULQWHQVLYHWDVNVLW
VFRUHGDSDOWU\SRLQWV7KDW¶VDOLWWOHEHWWHUWKDQWKH%HHOLQNEXWDIDUFU\
IURPV\VWHPVOLNHWKLV&RUHL,QWHO18&
$QRWKHUSURFHVVLQJWHVWLV3ULPDWH/DEV¶*HHNEHQFKZKLFKVLPXODWHVUHDO
ZRUOGDSSOLFDWLRQVWRJDXJHKRZZHOOD3&ZLOOKDQGOHVXFKWDVNVDV3')
UHQGHULQJDQGVSHHFKUHFRJQLWLRQ&RPSDUHGZLWKV\VWHPVVXFKDVWKH,QWHO
18&LW¶VQRFRQWHVWEXWWKHOLWWOHGHVNWRSGRHVVXUSULVLQJO\ZHOODJDLQVWRWKHU
PLQL3&VQHDUO\PDWFKLQJWKH%HHOLQNDQGIDOOLQJDELWVKRUWRIWKH$0'EDVHG
ECS model.
)RUDPRUHUHDOLVWLFORRNDWZKDWWKH/LYD=¶VKDUGZDUHFDQGRXQGHUDKHDY\
ORDGZHXVH+DQG%UDNHWRWUDQVFRGHD.YLGHRFOLSWRSJLYLQJWKH
V\VWHPDQHDVLO\PHDVXUHGFRUHFUXQFKLQJSHUIRUPDQFHWHVW&OHDUO\WKLVLVQ¶W
DYLGHRHGLWLQJPDFKLQH²LWWRRNPRUHWKDQPLQXWHVWR¿QLVKWKLV
VWUDLJKWIRUZDUGWDVN%\FRPSDULVRQWKH&RUHLHTXLSSHG,QWHO18&
completed the same task in under 13 minutes.
)LQDOO\WKRXJKWKH/LYD=¶V3HQWLXP&38LVGH¿QLWHO\QRWLQWHQGHGIRUFRQWHQW
creation, we ran the mini PC through Puget Systems’ PugetBench for
Photoshop, cranking through a script of multimedia tasks. Results were
SUHGLFWDEO\LQWKHEDVHPHQW
STRIKES OUT ON GRAPHICS

:KHQLWFRPHVWRJUDSKLFVDQGJDPLQJWKH3HQWLXPSRZHUHG/LYD=LVEHVW
IRURQO\WKHPRVWEDVLFRIXVHV:LWKQRGLVFUHWH*38DQGRQO\EDVLFJUDSKLFV
FDSDELOLW\IURPLWVLQWHJUDWHG,QWHO8+'*UDSKLFVVROXWLRQ\RX¶OOGREHVWZLWK
WKLV3&E\VWLFNLQJWRWDVNVWKDWGRQ¶WJHWPRUHYLVXDOO\GHPDQGLQJWKDQ
<RX7XEHRU1HWÀL[
7KHRQO\JUDSKLFVWHVWZHZHUHDEOHWRUXQWKDWFRXOGEHFRPSDUHGZLWK
FRPSHWLWRUVZDV'0DUN1LJKW5DLGD'LUHFW;WHVWWKDW¶VPHDQWIRUORZ
SRZHUHGV\VWHPV+HUHWKH(&6/LYD=IHOOIDUEHKLQGWKHFRPSHWLWLRQVFRULQJ
MXVWSRLQWVFRPSDUHGZLWKWKH$0'SRZHUHG(&6/LYD43OXVDQGWKH
,QWHO18&3UR.LWZKLFKVFRUHGSRLQWVDQGSRLQWVUHVSHFWLYHO\
*LYHQWKDWWKHVHV\VWHPVERDVWEHWWHULQWHJUDWHGJUDSKLFVDORQJVLGHWKHLUPRUH
powerful CPUs, these results are no surprise.
7KHELJJHUVXUSULVHLVWKDWWKH3HQWLXPEDVHG/LYD=HYHQUDQWKH1LJKW5DLG
WHVWDWDOOZKLFKFDQ¶WEHVDLGIRURXURWKHUJRWRJUDSKLFVWHVW*);%HQFK
$JDLQVLPLODUO\HTXLSSHGV\VWHPVOLNHWKH%HHOLQN*.0LQLZHUHDOVRXQDEOHWR
UXQWKHWHVWVRLW¶VQRWPXFKRIDVXUSULVH7KLVOLWWOHV\VWHPFDQKDQGOHZHE
EURZVLQJDQGPD\EHVRPHPHGLDVWUHDPLQJEXWXQOHVV\RXUJDPLQJQHHGVWRS
RXWZLWK1(6HUDWLWOHV\RXZRQ¶WEHGRLQJDQ\PDMRUJDPLQJRQWKLVPDFKLQH
VERDICT: A MOST BASIC BLACK BOX

8QVXUSULVLQJO\WKH(&6/LYD=ZLWKLWV,QWHO3HQWLXP6LOYHU1SURFHVVRU
isn’t leading the pack on most of our tests. The Beelink GK Mini is similarly
VPDOODQGD̆RUGDEOHEXWLWVSHUIRUPDQFHLVRIWHQVOLJKWO\EHWWHU7KH/LYD=
LVQ¶WDOZD\VWKHZRUVWRIWKHEXQFKWKRXJK
)RUDV\VWHPWKDWVHOOVIRUZHOOXQGHULW¶VD̆RUGDEOHHQRXJKWREHXVHGLQ
VRPHFUHDWLYHZD\V7KHVPDOOVL]HPDNHVLWHDV\WRWXFNEHKLQGDPRQLWRUIRUD
FDSDEOHZHEEURZVLQJPDFKLQHRUWRSOXJLQWRD.79IRUVWUHDPLQJDQG
EURZVLQJDSHUVRQDOPHGLDFROOHFWLRQ,W¶VHYHQVPDOOHQRXJKWKDW\RXFDQ
FRPIRUWDEO\WRVVLWLQWRDFDUU\RQEDJWRXVHLQDKRWHORU$LUEQE
,I\RXZDQWWRXVHWKH(&6/LYD=IRUVRPHWKLQJOLNHVLJQDJHRUDVHOIVHUYH
NLRVNLW¶VPRUHWKDQDGHTXDWHIRUWKHVLPSOHGHPDQGVRIWKRVHWDVNV6WXGHQWV
ZLOO¿QGLW¶VFDSDEOHHQRXJKIRUUHVHDUFKLQJDQGZULWLQJWHUPSDSHUV%XWPRUH
FRPSOH[WDVNVVXFKDVEDVLFSKRWRHGLWLQJZLOOEHLUULWDWLQJO\VORZRQWKLVOLWWOH
EODFNER[
Photos by Molly Flores

REVIEWS
HARDWARE
Credit: Logitech
Logitech POP Keys Mechanical
Wireless Keyboard: Tough Typing
Anyone for easy emojis at a tap?
BY ZACKERY CUEVAS
As yesterday’s kids become today’s highly sought-after demographic for

PDUNHWHUVFRPSDQLHVZDQWWRGHOLYHUSURGXFWVDLPHGVSHFL¿FDOO\DWWKHWR
24-year-old Gen Z crowd. In one such attempt to capture the attention of
\RXQJHUDXGLHQFHV/RJLWHFKVHHNVWRZDONWKH¿QHOLQHEHWZHHQFRRODQGFULQJH
with the POP Mechanical Wireless Keyboard. This compact, colorful wireless
mechanical keyboard has some cool, quirky functionality, but also a surprising
lack of customization given its tech-savvy target audience. Possibly more of a
concern: It’s hard to type on.
SMILE LIKE YOU MEAN IT Logitech POP Keys
Mechanical
7KH¿UVWWKLQJ\RX¶OOQRWLFHDERXWWKLVQHZNH\ERDUGLV Wireless Keyboard
how colorful it is. The Logitech POP Mechanical
PROS
.H\ERDUGLVWKHÀDJVKLSSURGXFWRI/RJLWHFK¶V6WXGLR Vibrant color options.
6HULHVOLQHZKLFKLQFOXGHVWKH3230RXVHZKLFK Excellent battery life.
ZLOOEHUHYLHZHGVHSDUDWHO\7KHWZRSURGXFWVDUHQRW Can sync with up to
three devices.
DYDLODEOHDVDEXQGOH7KHERDUGFRPHVLQWKUHH
GL̆HUHQWFRORURSWLRQVHDFKRQHPRUHYLEUDQWWKDQWKH CONS
Emoji buttons are cute
last. Our review unit uses the Blast color scheme—a but ultimately feel
saturated yellow body with black and gray circular keys unnecessary. Limited
reminiscent of an old-school typewriter. Your other customization. Round
keycaps make typing
options include the cooler lilac, blues, and whites of the tough.
Daydream color scheme, or the softer reds and pinks of
BOTTOM LINE
the Heartbreaker. A mechanical keyboard
for the TikTok generation,
Whatever color you choose, you’ll be greeted with the Logitech’s POP Keys
VDPHWHQNH\OHVVGHVLJQERDUG$WE\E\ Mechanical Wireless
Keyboard has a lively
LQFKHV+:'DQGMXVWSRXQGVWKH323.H\ERDUG look and unique emoji-
is compact and light, and the keys, which are rounded specific keys, though we
DWWKHHGJHVDUHURXJKO\WKHVDPHVL]HDV\RXU¿QJHUWLS wish it were a bit easier
to type on.
Logitech opts out of the common Cherry MX switches
found in most mechanical boards in favor of TTC
Brown switches.
,QXVHWKH77&%URZQVZLWFKHVZRUNMXVWDVZHOODV
their Cherry MX cousins, providing a satisfying clack
VRPHPD\DUJXHWKH\¶UHVOLJKWO\ORXGHUWKDQ&KHUU\
0;%URZQVZLWFKHV7KHUH¶VHQRXJKVSDFHDURXQGWKH
keys to clean between them easily, though because of
the shape of the keys, not every one of my button
SUHVVHVVWXFNWKHLUODQGLQJ6SHHGW\SLVWVVKRXOGQRW
apply.
$ORQJWKHULJKWÀDQNRIWKHERDUG\RX¶OO¿QGWKHSRZHU
switch, and underneath, a slight bump atop the area In use, the TTC
where the AAA battery is stored—this protrusion also Brown switches
gives the board a bit of inclination. Overall, it’s a very work just as well
perky-looking board and is sure to brighten up your as their Cherry
desktop. MX cousins,
providing a
The POP keyboard’s second selling point is a bit harder satisfying clack.
WRVZDOORZ7KHERDUGIHDWXUHV¿YHGHGLFDWHGHPRML
buttons, which are meant to spice up your boring text
ZLWKDTXLFNVPLOH\DFU\LQJIDFHRUDKHDUWH\HGHPRML
)RXUHPRMLNH\FDSVFRPHLQVWDOOHGRQWKHERDUGZLWK
four more included in the box.
7REHVXUHWKHXVHDQGPHDQLQJRIDQHPRMLKDV
EHFRPHPRUHSRODUL]LQJDVWLPHVFKDQJH-XVWDVN
DQ\RQHXQGHUWKHDJHRILIWKH\¶YHHYHUXVHGWKH
FU\LQJHPRMLXQLURQLFDOO\6RWKHTXLFNDFFHVVHPRMLV
might entertain some while taking up valuable keyboard
VSDFHIRURWKHUV$VDQDYLGHPRMLDYRLGHU,ZRXOG
SUHIHUWKDWWKH\ZHUHW\SLFDOPDFUREXWWRQVZKLFKWKH\
FDQEHZLWKVRPHFKDQJHV
$OWKRXJKWKHMXU\PLJKWEHRXWRQZKHWKHUWKHHPRMLEXWWRQVDUHDFWXDOO\XVHIX
the POP keyboard comes packed with some solid functionality. For starters, the
NH\ERDUGFDQXVHHLWKHUWKHLQFOXGHG/RJLWHFK%ROW86%ZLUHOHVVGRQJOHRU
Bluetooth to connect to your PC or other devices. You can sync up the board
with up to three devices at once, cycling through each with a press of one of the
¿UVWWKUHHIXQFWLRQNH\V
In addition, the function-key row controls the volume, can instantly bring up
WKHVQLSSLQJWRROFRQWUROVPHGLDSOD\EDFNDQGHYHQR̆HUVLPPHGLDWHVSHHFK
GLFWDWLRQZLWKWKHSUHVVRIDEXWWRQ$OORIWKHVHIXQFWLRQVFDQEHDGMXVWHGLQWKH
Logitech Options app.
LOGITECH OPTIONS: NOT ENOUGH, WELL, OPTIONS

As the hub used to control your Logitech POP keys, the Logitech Options app’s
RWKHUIHDWXUHVDUHGLVDSSRLQWLQJO\OLPLWHG<RXFDQXVHLWWRDGMXVWDQGUHPDS
RQO\WKHHPRMLNH\VDQGWKHPDMRULW\RIWKHIXQFWLRQNH\V7KH¿UVWWKUHHDUH
UHVHUYHGIRUVLJQDOVZLWFKLQJEHWZHHQGHYLFHV<RXFDQDOVRDVVLJQGL̆HUHQW
HPRMLNH\VKRUWFXWVIRUODXQFKLQJVSHFL¿FDSSVOLNH:H&KDWLQVWHDGRIWKHHPRML
depicted on the keycap, but the customization ends there.
)RUNH\ERDUGD¿FLRQDGRVDQ[LRXVWRUHPDSWKHLU
NH\ERDUGVEHLQJOLPLWHGWRMXVWIXQFWLRQNH\VDQGHPRML
buttons might be deal-breakers. If that’s where your
LQWHUHVWOLHV\RX¶UHEHWWHUR̆XVLQJVRPHWKLQJOLNHWKH
Razer Pro Type Ultra, a general-use mechanical
keyboard with tons of the more premium features you’d
expect from high-end productivity or gaming boards,
including customization options galore.
If casual gaming is on your mind, the POP Keyboard

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aesthetically pleasing, aren’t reliable for fast-paced
5he POP
DFWLRQJDPHV<RX¶UHEHWWHUR̆ZLWKDJDPLQJNH\ERDUG Keyboard boasts
like the Asus ROG Falchion Wireless Gaming Keyboard. strong battery
life, although we
:LWKDSURPLVHGPRQWKVRIEDWWHU\OLIHRQRQHVHWRI can’t help but
AAA batteries, the POP Keyboard boasts strong battery wish the
life, although we can’t help but wish the batteries were batteries were
rechargeable. rechargeable.
JUST A PRETTY, SMILEY FACE
As a simple, general-use keyboard, the POP Keyboard works well enough for
SHRSOHZKRDUHHPRMLPLQGHGDQGQRWVSHHGW\SLVWV,WZLOODSSHDOWRFDVXDO
computer users, students looking to beautify their workstations, and energetic
social-media addicts. The colorful, compact board is easy on the eyes and will
LPSUHVV²DWOHDVWDW¿UVW
But once you start to dive deeper, you’ll see how limited the board is. If you’re in
WKHPDUNHWIRUDWHQNH\OHVVPHFKDQLFDONH\ERDUGIRUXQGHU\RXPLJKW
want to try the entry-level Drop ENTR Mechanical keyboard. For a slightly
higher price, the Razer Pro Type Ultra provides both better aesthetics and
increased functionality. Otherwise, with the POP, know what you are getting if
you go for it: Buy it for the look, and stay for the smileys.
Photos by Zachary Cuevas

REVIEWS
SOFTWARE & APPS
Credit: Adobe
Adobe XD: A UI/UX Design Tool
Excellent interface design and prototyping
BY SHELBY TUPPER
The savvy UX/UI designer’s duty to surf the sea-changing wave of technology,
tools, and hacks is as daunting as it is thrilling. One such thrill is using and
keeping current with the often-updated Adobe XD (Experience Design), the
company’s design software for interactive interface design and prototyping.
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years earlier. Both vector-based applications can be used for the front-end
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ZKHUHDV;'VXSSRUWVERWKPDF26DQG:LQGRZV$GREH;'DOVREHQH¿WVIURP
Creative Cloud integration, with in-app access to shared libraries of images,
palettes, and design system assets. It’s packed with features, powerful, and
intuitive, making it an Editors’ Choice program and a must-have for designers.
Adobe has been busy adding features to XD, many Adobe XD
coming from suggestions in its UserVoice forum. In PROS
fact, the top request of late has been video integration Intuitive workspace
and familiar key
in prototypes—now a reality. commands for
Creative Cloud users.
ADOBE XD PRICING Excellent and easy
$GREHR̆HUVDIUHHEXWYHU\OLPLWHGVWDUWHUSODQWKDW team collaboration.
Leading responsive
allows just one document and two PDF exports. design support.
Subscription pricing begins at $9.99 per month for Robust tutorials and
individuals and removes those limitations. XD is also user community.
Compatible with
available as part of the Creative Cloud All Apps plan, macOS and Windows.
which gives you access to more than 20 apps—including
CONS
Photoshop and Illustrator—for $52.99 per month. By Not as many plug-ins
contrast, Sketch costs $9 per month (or $99 per year) as there are for
per person, with a free 30-day trial. Sketch.
BOTTOM LINE
A more recent popular competitor is Figma, a cloud- Adobe XD wins the UI/
based app with more than four million users as of this UX design tool tussle
not only because of
ZULWLQJ)LJPDLVXQLTXHLQWKLVJURXSIRUR̆HULQJD the boost it gets from
IRUHYHUIUHHDFFRXQWRSWLRQWKDWR̆HUVSOXJLQV integration with
templates, unlimited collaborators, and unlimited Creative Cloud apps
but also because of its
SHUVRQDO¿OHVEXWRQO\WKUHH)LJPDGHVLJQSURMHFW¿OHV responsive design
Since Figma is completely browser-based, desktop tools.
platform compatibility is not an issue.
2QH¿QDO²DQGLQWHUHVWLQJ²FRPSHWLWRULV,Q9LVLRQ
which does cloud-based prototyping and interface
design, as well as a free account level that supports 10
users and three documents. The paid version costs You get XD from
$7.95 per user per month. the Creative
Cloud Desktop
As mentioned, Adobe XD runs on both macOS and app, which eases
0LFURVRIW:LQGRZV,WVPDLQFRPSHWLWRU6NHWFKLVIRU
installation and
macOS only. On either OS, you get XD from the
updating, even
Creative Cloud Desktop app, which eases installation
though it means
and updating, even though it means installing yet
installing yet
another program on your system. On Windows, you
need a 64-bit PC running Windows 10 version 1909 or
another program.
ODWHUZLWK*%5$0;'QDWLYHO\VXSSRUWV:LQGRZV
pen and touch input. On macOS, you need version 10.15
&DWDOLQDRUODWHUZLWK*%5$0DQGLWFDQUXQDVD
native Apple Silicon app.
GETTING STARTED
Once you’ve chosen a Creative Cloud subscription
option, getting started with XD is a breeze. When you
ODXQFKWKHSURJUDPWKH¿UVWWKLQJ\RXVHHLV\RXUKRPH
dashboard. A Learn button takes you to the Adobe
Learn & Support website for the XD Step-by-Step
Guide. There you can choose from several levels of
OHDUQLQJDQGR̆\RXJR
Augmenting the XD educational resources are a

multitude of other demos and video tutorials on
$GREH¶VVLWHLQFOXGLQJDFFHVVWRSDVW$GREH0D[
sessions and Adobe Live streams where you can learn
from pros as you watch them work on a project. You can
also submit your questions in related forums.
On the home screen, you see a choice of artboard

presets in standard device viewport sizes, which you can
use to begin a design. The screen also shows links to
user interface kits, prototype links from your projects,
DQG¿OHVWKDWFROOHDJXHVKDYHVKDUHGZLWK\RX
Adobe has been stepping up and standardizing how you

collaborate with colleagues and clients across all the
&UHDWLYH&ORXGDSSV7KLVPHDQVWKDWḢFLHQWVKDULQJ
feedback tracking, iterating, and publishing are all built
in. Adobe reps told me that they would soon add the
ability to share live in-app conversations with
colleagues and clients. Additionally, XD supports team
FROODERUDWLRQYLD6ODFNDQG0LFURVRIW7HDPV
REPRESENTATIVE WORKFLOW
XD has three modes: Design, Prototype, and Share. As
you might guess, you design and lay out your pages, or
screens, in Design mode. Drawing a hand sketch is a
great way to begin any project, and it’s especially true
IRUDGHVLJQWKDWLQYROYHV¿JXULQJRXWLQIRUPDWLRQ
hierarchy and interrelationships, like a website.
$IWHU,¶YHZRUNHGRXWDYLDEOHQDYLJDWLRQDQGÀRZ,ODXQFK;'DQGFUHDWHD
ORZILGHOLW\SURWRW\SHDNDZLUHIUDPHZKLFKLVDWLJKWHUFOHDQHGXSYHUVLRQ
RIthe hand sketch—although still without the copy, photos, or color
)ROORZLQJVWDNHKROGHUDSSURYDORIWKHOR¿SURWRW\SH,
add existing copy, branding, and imagery and build a
KLJK¿GHOLW\SURWRW\SHWREHJLQWKHGHVLJQUHYLHZDQG
iteration cycle. Design mode is also where you specify
scrolling parameters, responsiveness, repeat grids, and
interactive (and micro-interactive) transitions, such as
resting and hover states.
Depending on the sophistication of the client, I may

also use this version as a working interactive prototype
that looks and works like an actual website, complete
with scrolling, working navigation and buttons, resting
and hover states, and more. Below is a zoomed-out shot
of the screen artboards just before prototyping.
2QFHVWDNHKROGHUVKDYHVLJQHGR̆DQGSURYLGHG¿QDO
approval, it’s painless to generate and gather necessary
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ORQJDV\RX¶YHRUJDQL]HGDQGEXLOW\RXU;'¿OHZLWK
PLQGIXO¿OHKRXVHNHHSLQJ,W¶VHVVHQWLDOWRFKDWZLWK
your developer both early on and throughout the
process so you can synchronize best practices such as
DVVHWRUJDQL]DWLRQGHVLJQVSHFVDQG¿OHQDPLQJ
conventions. Even more critical is making certain your
stellar design is buildable within the budget and the
tech of the platform they’re using.
INTERACTIONS AND PROTOTYPING
Creating an interactive prototype in XD is intuitive and strangely satisfying as
you wire everything together with virtual rubberband connectors. While you’re
still in Design mode\RXFDQGH¿QHPLFURLQWHUDFWLRQVRI\RXUFRPSRQHQWV
such as hover and trigger states.
0RYHWRPrototype modeWRGH¿QHWUDQVLWLRQVDQGLQWHUDFWLRQVEHWZHHQ
artboards using XD’s auto-animate to visualize how your content moves
EHWZHHQDUWERDUGV:KHQGH¿QLQJ\RXUDXWRDQLPDWLRQV\RXFDQSOD\DURXQG
ZLWK'UDJDQG7LPHWULJJHUVWRFUHDWHVRPHLPSUHVVLYHPRWLRQH̆HFWV
0RYLQJIURP'HVLJQWR3URWRW\SHPRGH\RXVHHPXFKWKHVDPHLQWHUIDFHDVLQ
the artboard screenshot above, except that the right-hand contextual Properties
Inspector is now populated with interactivity rather than design attributes.
Also, selections (now blue) in Prototype mode represent hot spots (clickable or
tappable areas) rather than design elements.
%HLQJDEOHWRGH¿QHDQGYDOLGDWHWKHQDYLJDWLRQPHFKDQLFVDQGLQWHUDFWLRQV
such as micro-interactions and animations between artboards, taps, and clicks,
EHIRUHGHYHORSPHQWEHJLQVLVDQLQYDOXDEOHEHQH¿WRI;'DQGRWKHUSURWRW\SLQJ
tools over pure design apps such as Photoshop and Illustrator.
XD has no shortage of features that support prototyping modern interaction

designs. Here are three notable ones.
Responsive Resize lets you see how your design and content will look across
multiple devices in real time or manually. Note that the last time I looked at
6NHWFKLWGLGQ¶WKDYHDQDXWRUHVSRQVLYHUHÀRZEXWWKHFRPSDQ\KDVVLQFH
added a Smart Layout feature that can automatically resize symbols
(components), though only on a local basis—not for responsive design on
multiple screen and device sizes.
Second, Components—similar to symbols in other apps, including

,OOXVWUDWRU²OHW\RXDYRLGGXSOLFDWLQJ\RXUH̆RUWVZKHQ\RXQHHGPXOWLSOH
versions of the same thing, such as topics in a navigation header or the header
itself. Each copy of the component is an instance to which you can assign
PXOWLSOHDWWULEXWHVIRUGL̆HUHQWVLWXDWLRQVLQFOXGLQJWKHUHVWLQJKRYHUDQG
click states of a button.
And third, Repeat Grid is a huge timesaver, because it allows you to take a
single graphic or group (say a photo, a price, and a name) and simply drag it in
any direction to magically pull out a repeat grid of your original object(s). It’s a
perfect facilitator for a grid of objects for sale or company headshots. Then just
drop your group of photos and the grid populates and remains editable for
further customizations.
LATEST AND GREATEST FEATURES IN XD

Adobe releases small updates to XD every month, with major updates launched
HDFK2FWREHUGXULQJLWVELJJHVWVKRZ$GREH0D[0RVWUHFHQWLQWKHVPDOO
updates lineup are the inclusion of artboard presets for Apple iPhone 13, Google
3L[HODQG0LFURVRIW6XUIDFH3URGHYLFHV$OVRQHZDUHZHEDQGHPDLO
hyperlink capability and multiple time triggers for video and Lottie animations.
7KDWOHDGVXVULJKWLQWRWKHPDMRUXSGDWHVDQQRXQFHGDWWKHPRVWUHFHQW0D[
Video and Lottie animation import and playback. Lotties are simple, high-
TXDOLW\YHFWRUEDVHGLQ¿QLWHO\VFDODEOHZLWKRXWSL[HODWLRQDQLPDWLRQV7KH
¿OHVDUHWLQ\ZRUNRQDQ\SODWIRUPRUGHYLFHDQGFDQEHFRGHGWREH
LQWHUDFWLYH0RYLQJLPDJHVDGGOLIHDQGLQYLWHHQJDJHPHQWZLWK\RXUSURWRW\SH
To this end, XD lets you control several playback scenarios so you can create
just the right experience, whether you’re importing Lotties or video. Currently,
YLGHRLVOLPLWHGWR03¿OHVVPDOOHUWKDQ0%
THE PLUG-IN LANDSCAPE

Before XD came on the scene, Sketch had been surging past Photoshop as the
go-to app for front-end web design, possibly explaining why the number of XD
plug-ins still lags behind the more than 700 extensions built for Sketch.
Nonetheless, with more than 250 XD plug-ins and extensions available to
³VXSHUFKDUJH\RXUZRUNÀRZ´DV$GREHSXWVLWWKHIROORZLQJDUHDIHZ
representative top-rated plug-ins that have caught my eye (some free and some
with paid pro versions).
Chart for XD is a plug-in from Pavel Kuligin that lets you create charts with
random, tabular, or JSON data inside XD. It generates customized visual
representations of your charts in seconds.
Alexa Preview, an add-in from Adobe, lets you create a voice-powered

prototype that can interact with Amazon’s digital assistant, Alexa.
Stark is an accessibility inspector from Stark Lab that ensures your designs
pass muster for users with vision impairments.
Yumtastic Hero is a plug-in from Yumtastic Tools and Trainings that

facilitates creating interactive infographics, microgames, UI animations,
dynamic data, and more and exporting to the web.
UNEXPECTED GEMS: DESIGN SYSTEMS, PRESENTATIONS, AND MORE

An interesting secondary use for XD has bubbled to the surface: creating and
SXEOLVKLQJGHVLJQV\VWHPV$GHVLJQV\VWHPGH¿QHVDFRPSDQ\¶VEUDQGDQG
visual identity through consistent assets and conventions, much like brand
standards and guidelines but scaled bigger. Whereas brand guidelines are
documents that require regular updates to maintain current information,
design systems are usually built for larger, growing enterprises that need to be
ready for visual evolution.
7KHUH¶VQRVHWUHFLSHIRUDGHVLJQV\VWHP0RVWRIWKHPKDYHYLVXDODVVHWVIRU
print and screen design, including palettes, character styles, reusable
components (or symbols), presentation and collateral frameworks, and social
PHGLDWHPSODWHV7KHNH\EHQH¿WRIXVLQJ;'WRKRXVHDGHVLJQV\VWHPLVWKDW
you can manage and publish updates from a central cloud document shared via
a Creative Cloud Library. If everyone is on the ball, it’s never out of date and is
DOZD\VDW\RXU¿QJHUWLSV
If you’ve ever created a simple scrolling web page with Adobe Spark, you may
have felt the glee of how easy it was along with the frustration of how limited
your options were. Now that Adobe has expanded and migrated its online Spark
WULR3DJH3RVWDQG9LGHRWRLWVQHZR̆HULQJ&UHDWLYH&ORXG([SUHVV,VWLOO
feel the same glee and frustration. Theoretically, though, one could build a
Spark-like experience by building an XD prototype but with the advantage of
having complete control over the design and layout, including hyperlinks. The
caveats are that you would not have a custom URL, nor would you be able to
optimize for search engines. Nonetheless, this idea could be well-suited to
instances where neither of these limitations is a deal breaker, such as for
SUHVHQWDWLRQVDVWXGHQW¶V¿UVWSRUWIROLRDQQRXQFHPHQWVLQYLWDWLRQVDQGRWKHU
ephemeral projects.
$¿QDODQGXQH[SHFWHGXVH,UHFHQWO\OHDUQHGDERXWLVJDPHGHVLJQHUVXVLQJ
XD’s Key/Gamepad Triggers and cooking together hardware inputs (think
Arduino kits) to control XD prototypes. This type of simulation provides
stakeholders with a rich and immersive user experience during the early stages
of development.
A MOVING EXPERIENCE
Nothing beats a working, moving prototype to convey an intended experience
and create delight. An interactive prototype also lets you test your design’s
vision and usability and helps sell it to your team or clients. If you’re just
starting out with interface and experience design, choosing a tool that best
VXSSRUWV\RXUZRUNÀRZUHTXLUHPHQWVDQGXOWLPDWHVXFFHVVFDQEHDFKDOOHQJH
Adobe XD should be your go-to if you’re a Creative Cloud user who needs to
GHVLJQDQGSURWRW\SHZHEDQGPRELOHLQWHUIDFHV,WR̆HUV\RXWKHFRORVVDO
convenience of having direct access to your (or your team’s) Libraries of assets
DQGVHDPOHVVLQWHJUDWLRQZLWK,OOXVWUDWRU3KRWRVKRS$IWHU(̆HFWVDQGWKHUHVW
of the Creative Cloud apps. On top of that, it’s also an extraordinary, feature-
packed, cross-platform tool. For those reasons, it’s our Editors’ Choice winner
for interface and prototyping software.
That said, there’s no reason not to take the competition for a spin to see if
another app resonates better with your work style and needs. All the main
contenders—Sketch, Figma, and InVision Freehand—have free trials so that you
can evaluate the chemistry between you, your team, and the software.

REVIEWS
SOFTWARE & APPS
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Atlas VPN: Generous Free Option
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FEATURES
Credit: Shutterstock/Nonchanon
HOW TO DECLUTTER
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Paring down is all the rage, but what do you do
with the things you purge?
BY JILL DUFFY
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FEATURES
Credit: Getty Images/sinology

HOW TO CLEAN A SMART-
WATCH OR FITNESS TRACKER
Give your Apple Watch, Fitbit, or other wearable
device a good scrubbing without destroying it.
BY JILL DUFFY
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HOW OFTEN SHOULD I CLEAN MY SMARTWATCH?

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FEATURES
Credit: iStock / Getty Images Plus/BRO Vector

HOW TO PURGE YOUR
DIGITAL CLUTTER
Cleaning out inboxes, documents, photos, and
other digital junk can reduce stress and improve
productivity.
BY JILL DUFFY
A few times a year, I get an urge to purge. Whether it’s spring cleaning or taking
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to focus when the junk is gone.
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to start:
• )LOHVRQ\RXUFRPSXWHUGHVNWRS
• 0HVVDJHVLQ\RXUHPDLOLQER[
• Photos on your phone
• Apps on your phone
• <RXURSHQEURZVHUWDEV
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1. CLEAN UP YOUR DESKTOP

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among a messy heap?
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2. EMPTY YOUR EMAIL INBOX

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You’re not alone. A lot of us hesitate to throw away
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sort themselves.
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3. TRANSFER PHOTOS FROM YOUR PHONE

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4. GET RID OF UNUSED APPS

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from your life, as well as freeing up more space on your phone.
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the screen that’s farthest likely has apps you never use.
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5. CLOSE YOUR BROWSER TABS
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MAKE A FRESH START
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as cleaning up physical clutter.

FEATURES
Credit: Shutterstock/Hadrian
HOW TO FREE UP DISK SPACE
IN WINDOWS
Tools such as Storage Sense help you remove
temporary files, uninstall apps, and more.
BY LANCE WHITNEY
Need to free up some disk space on your Windows PC? Both Windows 10 and
Windows 11 provide a dedicated settings menu to make the process easier.
From this menu, you can see how much space has been used on your device and
by what type of content.
Windows’ Storage settings also allow you to clear space quickly and enable
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The process works similarly in Windows 10 and 11, though some of the screens
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OPEN STORAGE SETTINGS
Open Settings > System > Storage to view the total space you have
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how much free space remains on your drive. Click Show more categories to
see the storage used by additional types of content.
CONFIGURE STORAGE SENSE IN WINDOWS 10

Storage Sense is a feature built into Windows that can help free up space
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the Storage Sense option at the top of the Storage settings screen. Turn on the
switch for Storage Sense, then click the &RQ¿JXUH6WRUDJHVHQVHRUUXQLW
now link.
Click the drop-down box under 5XQ6WRUDJH6HQVH and select one of the
choices: Every day, Every week, Every month, or During low free disk space. If
in doubt, go with 'XULQJORZGLVNVSDFH. Next, check the box next to Delete
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Click the drop-down box under 'HOHWH¿OHVLQP\UHF\FOHELQ if they

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be removed, select Never. Otherwise, you can select one of the other choices,
such as 1 day, 14, days, 30 days, or 60 days.
Do the same for the menu under 'HOHWH¿OHVLQP\GRZQORDGVIROGHULI

WKH\KDYHQ¶WEHHQRSHQHGIRUPRUHWKDQ. Finally, click the &OHDQQRZ
button to free up disk space right now.
CONFIGURE STORAGE SENSE IN WINDOWS 11
In Windows 11, the Storage Sense feature has been moved to the Storage
Management section of the Storage settings page. Find it toward the bottom of
the screen, below the graphs of your current storage space. Turn on the switch
for Storage SenseDQGFOLFNWKHHQWU\WRFRQ¿JXUHLW
Check the box next to .HHS:LQGRZVUXQQLQJ
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down box under 5XQ6WRUDJH6HQVH and select one of
four choices: Every day, Every week, Every month, or
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than and select Never, 1 day, 14, days, 30 days, or 60

days. Do the same for 'HOHWH¿OHVLQP\GRZQORDGV
IROGHULIWKH\KDYHQ¶WEHHQRSHQHGIRUPRUH
than.
To clean the drive immediately, click the 5XQ6WRUDJH

Sense now button. Allow at least a few minutes for the
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be told how much disk space was freed.
REVIEW ONEDRIVE FILES

If you prefer not to automate the process of freeing up
disk space, Windows still gives you enough information
to make decisions on your own. Since Windows
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Storage settings screen, you can easily see which types
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manually free up space.
)RUH[DPSOHLI\RXXVH2QH'ULYHWRVWRUHDQGV\QF¿OHVRQ\RXUFRPSXWHUFOLFN
the OneDrive icon and then click View OneDrive. This will display all your
2QH'ULYH¿OHVDQGJLYH\RXDFKDQFHWRUHYLHZHYHU\WKLQJDQGGHOHWHZKDW\RX
don’t need.
UNINSTALL APPS
You can do the same with the programs installed on your computer. Go to
6HWWLQJV!$SSV!$SSV IHDWXUHV, where you can sort the list by name,
size, or Install date. In Windows 10, click the entry for an app you wish to
delete. In Windows 11, click the three-dot icon, then select the 8QLQVWDOO
command to remove it.
MANAGE PHOTOS
If you store photos and other images in the 3LFWXUHV
folder on your PC, click the Pictures entry on the
Storage settings page. Select 9LHZ3LFWXUHV to go to
the default Pictures location where you can look for
images to delete.
REMOVE TEMPORARY FILES

Another category you should check is
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need. To view these, click 7HPSRUDU\)LOHV on
the Storage settings screen.
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automatically adds a checkmark to any content
types it believes you can safely remove without
hindering your system.
Some content types are unchecked by default. The
Recycle Bin option may be unchecked so you can
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Downloads folder is also unchecked based on the
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Review checked and unchecked categories to
make any changes, then click 5HPRYH¿OHV to
remove all the checked content.
CHECK EXTERNAL STORAGE

Windows allows you to check the available space
on any USB-connected storage device. Once
connected in Windows 10, click View storage
RQRWKHUGULYHV. Windows shows you both your
main drive and the external drive. Select the
external drive to view data usage by category, and
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Windows 11 users will need to click the

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CHANGE FILE DESTINATION
If your PC houses more than one disk drive, you can
change where new content is saved. In Windows 10,
click the &KDQJHZKHUHQHZFRQWHQWLVVDYHGOLQN.
In Windows 11, click $GYDQFHGVWRUDJHVHWWLQJV,
then &KDQJHZKHUHQHZFRQWHQWLVVDYHG.
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saved for apps, documents, music, photos and videos,
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appropriate drop-down menu for an item, change the
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VHFRQG¿[HGGULYHLVWKHVPRRWKHVWRSWLRQVLQFHLW¶V
always available on your computer. If you choose a
removable drive, you’ll have to remember to connect it
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CLEANUP RECOMMENDATIONS
:LQGRZVR̆HUVDGYLFHWRKHOS\RXIUHHXSGLVNVSDFH
Click &OHDQXSUHFRPPHQGDWLRQV under the Storage
Management section of the Storage settings page. Click
each of the categories to see recommendations from
:LQGRZVRQFOHDQLQJXSWHPSRUDU\¿OHVODUJHRU
XQXVHG¿OHV¿OHVV\QFHGWRWKHFORXGDQGXQXVHGDSSV
Check the items you want removed and click the &OHDQ
XSEXWWRQIRUWKDWFDWHJRU\WRUHPRYHWKRVH¿OHV

FEATURES
Credit: Getty Images

HOW TO DISINFECT YOUR
DIGITAL DEVICES FROM
VIRUSES AND GERMS
We touch our electronics all day, which can lead
to a lot of germs and grime.
BY CHANDRA STEELE
Before we knew that COVID-19 is an airborne virus, we were one step away
from dunking everything into a vat of bleach. But just because we’re past the
part of the pandemic where we wiped down all our groceries and made our
hands desert-dry with sanitizer doesn’t mean that our electronic devices
shouldn’t be kept clean.
Even though we’re less fanatical about disinfecting them, they still harbor
SOHQW\RIJHUPVDQGVKRXOGEHFOHDQHGUHJXODUO\6RJUDEVRPHPLFUR¿EHU
cloths, cotton swabs, distilled water, isopropyl alcohol, and dish soap, and read
RXUJXLGHWRJHWWLQJ\RXUJDGJHWVJOHDPLQJ²DIWHU\RXXQSOXJRUWXUQWKHPR̆
of course.

HOW TO CLEAN A PHONE OR TABLET
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FRPHR̆VRPDQXIDFWXUHUVJHQHUDOO\UHFRPPHQGZLSLQJWKHPGRZQZLWK
GLVWLOOHGZDWHUDQGDEDUHO\WH[WXUHGPLFUR¿EHUFORWKWKHQXVLQJFRWWRQVZDEV
to clean around crevices, like the edges of the screen and buttons.
A global pandemic was no time to heed manufacturer warnings, though, and as

people started taking harsher substances to surfaces, Apple revised its “How to
Clean Your Apple Products” guidelines to endorse using 70% isopropyl alcohol
wipes or Clorox Disinfecting Wipes. According to Cupertino: “You may gently
wipe the hard, nonporous surfaces of your Apple product, such as the display,
keyboard, or other exterior surfaces. Don’t use bleach. Avoid getting moisture in
any opening, and don’t submerge your Apple product in any cleaning agents.
Don’t use on fabric or leather surfaces.”
If you want to disinfect thoroughly without wipes, get some 99% isopropyl
DOFRKROGLVWLOOHGZDWHUDVSUD\ERWWOHDQGDGLVSRVDEOHPLFUR¿EHUFORWK0L[D
solution that is 70% alcohol and 30% water and put it in the spray bottle. Then
remove the case from your phone or tablet, spritz the cloth with the solution,
and thoroughly wipe down your phone. Do not reuse the cloth.
Concerned about your screen? Put a tempered-glass screen protector on it so

you don’t damage the actual screen. Though a protector is likely to be treated
with a coating as well, it’s easily replaceable and won’t cause damage to the
device itself. Before you put a case back on your device, go over the case with
the solution and a cloth and let it dry completely. Then be sure to wash your
hands, or all your cleaning will have been for nothing. If you’re just concerned
about grime, use wipes like Care Touch Lens Cleaning Wipes.
HOW TO CLEAN HEADPHONES AND EARPHONES

Your headphones and earphones are some of the closest things to you. Aside
IURPEHLQJFRDWHGLQVZHDWDQGZD[JURVVEXWIDFWVWKH\¶UHOLNHO\JRLQJZLWK
you as you venture out.
The general recommendation for over-the-ear headphones is to go over them

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one after. If the cushions and headband look or feel grimy, you can give them a

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them separately. Then combine a teaspoon of mild
detergent with a cup of water and use a lint-free cloth to
wipe the band and cushions down with the solution.
Follow that with a swipe of water on a cloth, and then
dry all the components completely.
AirPods and other all-in-one units without eartips are

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your AirPods have gotten something on them like lotion
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you can take a lint-free cloth and dampen it with a bit of
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cloth, then let them sit for a bit before you put them
back in the case.
To remove wax and dust from headphones and earbuds,

take a bit of adhesive putty, roll a tiny bit into a ball, and
quickly and lightly press and remove gunk from any
grille parts.
Once again, though, these aren’t normal times, so if you

want to de-germ, grab the same solution you made for
your phone, spray it on one of those disposable
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The same goes for over-the-ear headphones.
)RUHDUSKRQHVLQFOXGLQJ$LU3RGV3URUHPRYHWKH

eartips and go over them with some water and a tiny bit
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water and dry them with a lint-free cloth and don’t put
them back on until they are thoroughly dry. You can
clean the grille parts of earphones by dabbing some
adhesive putty onto them. For the body of the
earphones, if you’re not concerned about germs [eyes
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VHQVLEOHWKLQJWRGRLVWRVSUD\DGLVSRVDEOHPLFUR¿EHU
cloth with the alcohol-and-water solution, and use that
to wipe them. Don’t forget to go over any wires, if you’re
still living that life.
HOW TO CLEAN A DESKTOP PC
Your computer monitor might be the window to your virtual world, but it’s not
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distilled water or screen cleaner for an LCD. If you have a touch screen, clean it
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WRWKHFORWK¿UVWWRUHPRYHWKHP
As for the plastic parts that surround the screen, spritz some window cleaner or
just use water. The same goes for your tower. Just go over all the surfaces with a
cloth and either water, general-purpose cleaner, or a mix that’s half isopropyl
alcohol and half water.
Chances are you’ve picked up the habit of eating over your keyboard, and it’s
picked up some crumbs. Shake it out over a trash can, then grab a can of
compressed air to get rid of the ones that lurk under the keys. Get a damp cloth
and go over the keys. Use a cotton swab to get inside the crevices. If your
keyboard is particularly dirty, mix up a solution with half isopropyl alcohol and
half water, and use it on the cloth and cotton swabs.
Your mouse spends the day skittering across your desk, and it can track plenty
of dirt. Use the same alcohol-and-water solution, dab it on a cotton swab, and
run it over the feet of the mouse and through any cracks and crevices. Then take
a cloth dipped in the solution and go over the body of the mouse and the cord.
HOW TO CLEAN A FLAT-SCREEN TV
When you’re doing your normal household cleaning,
you might stop in front of your television, spritz it with
a glass cleaner, wipe it down, and move on. In the words
of millions of headlines: You’re doing it wrong.
Glass cleaners can be corrosive, and many television

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sensitive to the chemicals in those cleaners. To clean a
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and gently go over its surface.
Don’t forget to clean your remote controls. They can be

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from the remote, shake loose any crumbs, and then
blast the buttons with compressed air. Then go over the
surface with a mixture of one part water to one part
LVRSURS\ODOFRKRODSSOLHGWRDPLFUR¿EHUFORWK'LSD
cotton swab and run it around all the buttons.
HOW TO CLEAN A SMART SPEAKER
One family member that’s in your kitchen, living room,
and probably even your bedroom doesn’t shower every
day, and it’s time you two had a talk about it. Smart
speakers such as the Amazon Echo, Apple HomePod,
and Google Nest could undoubtedly use some
freshening up.
For devices with screens, like the Google Nest Hub and
Amazon Echo Show 10, you can go over the screen with
a screen-cleaning wipe and the fabric-covered parts
ZLWKDSODLQPLFUR¿EHUFORWK,IWKHIDEULFKDVDVWDLQ
GDPSHQWKHPLFUR¿EHUFORWKVOLJKWO\DQGJRRYHULW
(This is similar to the advice Apple gives if the
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For all-plastic devices, including older-generation

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cloth on the surface. If the grilles look grody, dab them
ZLWKVRPH%OX7DFN¿UVW
HOW TO CLEAN A GAME CONSOLE AND
CONTROLLERS
Your low scores could possibly be blamed on a gunked-
up game controller or console. That’s the good news.
The bad news is that game consoles and controllers can
get particularly nasty.
)LUVWGXVWR̆WKHFRQVROHZLWKDGU\PLFUR¿EHUFORWKRU
6ZL̆HUGXVWHU7KHQJRRYHULWZLWKDPLFUR¿EHUFORWK
and a small amount of water. Dip a cotton swab into
water and run it through any crevices—but stay away
from any cutouts.
For controllers, make a mixture of one part water to one

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Wipe down the controller thoroughly. Dip a cotton swab
into the solution and run it around buttons and into
crevices. Because you handle controllers so frequently,
upkeep with wipes is a good idea that saves you a lot of
work later and cuts down on germs and grossness.

TIPS & HOW TOS
SMART HOME
8 Simple Robot Vacuum Tips to

Help Keep Your Floors Clean
Without Lifting a Finger
These simple setup, scheduling, and maintenance get your robot
vacuum working for you—and not the other way around.
BY ANGELA MOSCARITOLO
In theory, robot vacuums are the perfect solution for maintaining a spotless Image: Getty Images/Antonio Ovejero / EyeEm
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WRSKRQHDQGYRLFHFRQWUROIRUWKHXOWLPDWHLQNLFNEDFNFOHDQLQJ
But in practice, robot vacuums require a little more human intervention than
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GRFN/XFNLO\DIWHUWHVWLQJVFRUHVRIURERWLFYDFXXPVZH¶YH¿JXUHGRXWRXUZD\
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WKHVHWLSVDSSO\WRURERWPRSVDVZHOO
TAKE IT FOR A TEST RUN

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ZLWKRXWDQ\SUREOHPV
CLEAR CORDS AND CURTAINS

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WR\VDQGDFFHVVRULHV,I\RXKDYHDKRPHṘFHEHVXUHWRSLFNXSDQ\ORRVH
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\RXU79VWDQGRUGHVN\RXPLJKWZDQWWRFRQVLGHUSXUFKDVLQJDFDEOH
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TUCK IN TASSELS AND STOW AWAY SHAG
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WKHPXQGHUQHDWKEHIRUHVWDUWLQJ\RXUFOHDQLQJVHVVLRQ
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WKHVHUXJVDQGLIWKH\GRWKHPDLQEUXVKPLJKWMXVWSXOODWWKHVKDJUDWKHUWKDQ
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BUILD BARRIERS
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Some vacuums have laser navigation sensors that create
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EDE\JDWH
TIDY UP TABLES
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from the table a bit to give the robot more space to
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SET A SCHEDULE
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CHARGE OUT IN THE OPEN

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WKHYDFXXPHDVLO\VLWXDWHLWVHOIZLWKRXW\RXUDVVLVWDQFH,ISRVVLEOHPDNHVXUH
WRSODFHLWLQDQDUHDWKDW¶VDERXWWZRIHHWDZD\IURPREMHFWVRQHLWKHUVLGHDQG
IRXUIHHWDFURVVIURPIXUQLWXUHLQFOXGLQJWDEOHVDQGFKDLUVDQGVWDLUV7KDW
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SHULRGRIWLPH\RXFDQIXOO\FKDUJHLWWKHQSRZHULWR̆DQGVWRUHLWLQDFRRO
GU\VSDFH
CLEAN YOUR VACUUM
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THE WHY AXIS
CAREERS
These US States Pay Tech Workers

the Highest Salaries
Tech workers in Alabama make vastly more than everyone else.
BY CHANDRA STEELE
A move to remote work has meant a more mobile workforce—but that trend
hasn’t equalized tech workers’ paychecks across the US. In some states,
technology workers earn quite a lot more than they would elsewhere. Business.
org used Bureau of Labor Statistics data to rank tech job pay by state, and here’s
what it found.
For one thing, tech workers—even in states that pay the lowest salaries—still
earn 20% to 52% higher salaries than the average in their states. Those in
Alabama make vastly more than everyone else; tech salaries there are about
85% higher than those of other occupations in the state.
Although Wyoming isn’t terribly far (in distance) from Washington or Colorado,
Wyoming tech workers make far less than their peers in those states. The
average salary in Wyoming is $67,640, but it’s $122,640 in Washington and
$100,520 in Colorado.
The top-paid tech workers overall are actuaries, who earn an average salary of
$123,180. They’re followed by computer network architects, software
developers, mathematicians, information security analysts, data scientists,
database admins and architects, computer systems analysts, statisticians,
programmers, operations research analysts, network and computer system
admins, web developers, computer network support specialists, and computer
user support specialists.

MASTHEAD
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, PC MAGAZINE NETWORK CONTRIBUTORS

Wendy Sheehan Donnell John R. Delaney, Tim Gideon, Ben Z. Gottesman, Eric
Grevstad, William Harrel, Edward Mendelson,
MANAGING EDITOR, DIGITAL EDITIONS Carol Mangis Stephanie Mlot, Nathaniel Mott, M. David Stone,
Lance Whitney, Kathy Yakal
PRODUCTION DESIGNER René Ramos
NEWS & FEATURES

THE INDEPENDENT GUIDE
EXECUTIVE EDITORS Chloe Albanesius, Jamie Lendino
PC Magazine is the Independent Guide to
SENIOR NEWS EDITOR Matthew Humphries Technology. Our mission is to test and review
SENIOR NEWS REPORTER Michael Kan computer- and internet-related products and
services and to report fairly and objectively on the
FEATURES EDITOR Eric Griffith results. Our editors do not invest in firms whose
SENIOR FEATURES WRITER Chandra Steele products or services we review, nor do we accept
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products and services that are currently available.
Our reviews are written without regard to
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SENIOR ANALYSTS Matthew Buzzi (hardware), Max Eddy ziffdavis.com. Material in this publication may not
(software, security), Will Greenwald (consumer be reproduced in any form without written
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reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without
ANALYSTS Kim Key (security), Jordan Minor (software, permission is prohibited.
gaming), Angela Moscaritolo (consumer electronics),
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ART, VIDEO, & PRODUCTION

DESIGN DIRECTOR Dustin Drankowski
SENIOR ILLUSTRATOR Bob Al-Greene
SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER Pete Haas
PHOTOGRAPHER Molly Flores
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Maldonado

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CONTENTS

WHAT’S NEW NOW

NASA PLANS TO CRASH THE

STARLINK’S NEW PREMIUM

Credit: Thomas Winz / Getty Images

Joby Wavo POD

2022 Tesla Model 3

Logitech POP Keys ECS Liva Z3

SOFTWARE & APPS

8 SIMPLE ROBOT VACUUM

THE WHY AXIS

THESE US STATES PAY TECH

PC MAGAZINE DIGITAL EDITION I SUBSCRIBE I MARCH 2022

Carol Mangis manages the PCMag Digital Edition.

PC MAGAZINE DIGITAL EDITION I SUBSCRIBE I MARCH 2022

I wish millions of people could read this article. When

You’re right about bad cables outputting no

As an electrical engineer, I can

As an electrical engineer, this is

PC MAGAZINE DIGITAL EDITION I SUBSCRIBE I MARCH 2022

Windows Requires a Minimum of 8

8SGDWLQJ:LQGRZVFDQEHDIUXVWUDWLQJSURFHVVEXW0LFURVRIWKDVLGHQWL¿HGD Image: Shutterstock/AFANASEV IVAN

In a post on the Microsoft Tech Community website, via BleepingComputer,

Although Guyer’s post is clearly aimed at business users, ensuring Windows is

PC MAGAZINE DIGITAL EDITION I SUBSCRIBE I MARCH 2022

NASA Plans to Crash the International

“It is NASA’s goal to be one of many customers of commercial LEO destination

PC MAGAZINE DIGITAL EDITION I SUBSCRIBE I MARCH 2022

Starlink’s New Premium Tier Is Fast But

Image: Getty Images/MARK GARLICK/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

The Premium tier arrives as SpaceX is facing a massive backlog of pre-orders

PC MAGAZINE DIGITAL EDITION I SUBSCRIBE I MARCH 2022

The Samsung Galaxy S22

7KH*DOD[\6FRXOGJHWDVSHHGERRVWODWHUWKLV The S22 might be

MORE CHANNELS, BETTER AT&T

Sascha Segan is the lead mobile analyst for PC

PC MAGAZINE DIGITAL EDITION I SUBSCRIBE I MARCH 2022

Elon Musk’s Neuralink

I’m a skeptic, but I don’t want to completely discount Neuralink’s

My conclusion? Musk’s wild predictions about Neuralink’s capabilities

BUILDING ON EARLIER BRAIN CHIPS

complex technology is based on previous

BrainGate is a notable project from researchers at

Those are some impressive advancements, each

VAGUE ADVANCEMENTS AND A

Where has Neuralink been going in the past two

According to Musk, Neuralink hopes to have

That seems to imply that Neuralink does not have

Second, Musk has been claiming that human

IT’S NOT A MAGIC BRAIN COMPUTER

“So Neuralink ... will solve a lot of brain-related

Treating neurodivergence is so wildly distinct

Also, autism and schizophrenia aren’t brain-

Elon Musk should resist the urge to make claims

Will Greenwald has been PCMag’s home

PC MAGAZINE DIGITAL EDITION I SUBSCRIBE I MARCH 2022

Don’t Give Away Your Info!

PC MAGAZINE DIGITAL EDITION I SUBSCRIBE I MARCH 2022

Unlike Peloton’s chest strap monitor, the Heart Rate

HOW THE PELOTON HEART RATE BAND WORKS

When you’re ready to work out, just fasten the band

In testing, I had no problem connecting the band to the

The Peloton Heart Rate Band connected to the Peloton app

Peloton calculates your Strive Score based on the

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