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How to Verify Authenticity of Windows Software with Digital Signatures

Every time you download a program from the Internet, you have to trust the developer that it isn’t malicious. There is no way around that. But this isn’t an issue, usually, especially with well-known software and developers. However, websites that host software are more vulnerable. Attackers can subvert the security of a website and replace programs with their own, malicious version. This looks and works exactly like the original, except it has a backdoor inserted. With this backdoor, attackers can control various parts of your normal day-to-day computing. Your computer is either inserted in a botnet, or worse, the utility waits until you use your… Read more

Get the Amazon Echo Show (2nd Gen) for $50 Off

Just in time for Father’s Day, Amazon is again offering up many of their devices at great sale prices, and this includes the Amazon Echo Show (2nd Gen). It allows you all the benefits of a smart speaker with Alexa while also giving you video capabilities to watch your favorite streaming content. The Echo Show includes premium speakers with Dolby processing that let you stream music and audiobooks in stereo, while also showing video on a 10.1″ HD screen. It now features a new fabric design. Alexa has an expansive library that now numbers over 50,000 skills, letting you do more and more. You can… Read more

Posted by / June 12, 2019 / Posted in Deals

How to Fix a Touchpad Not Working in Linux

Over the years since its inception, Linux has gotten easier and easier to use. It used to be that even getting it to run at all was a victory, and now we take that for granted. That said, not everything runs as flawlessly as it could. Laptops, especially newer laptops, can still be problematic with Linux. Part of this comes down to Wi-Fi and battery management, but the touchpad is often to blame as well. Unfortunately, these touchpad issues can be tough to diagnose and fix. Before You Start If your touchpad is not working and you are connected to an external mouse, check in… Read more

Posted by / June 12, 2019 / Posted in Linux

NOVOO Portable Charger USB C Power Bank review


REVIEW – These days, you can find hundreds of portable power bank choices both on the internet and in the stores. The more that these types of devices become a part of our EDC bag, the more the demand for more power capacity in a smaller package. And, we also want as many built-in I/O options that we can get. Enter the NOVOO Portable Charger USB C Power Bank.

What is it?

The NOVOO power bank is a 10000mAh small and light with a large capacity. It measures just 2.3 x 3 x 1.1 inches and can deliver power via a conventional USB-A port as well as via its USB-C port.

What’s in the box


1 x Novoo Portable Charger/Power bank
1 x USB-A to USB-C Cable
1 x User Manual

Design and features

Specification
Capacity: 10000mAh @ 3.7V (37Wh)
USB-C Input (PD): DC 5V 2.1A/9V 1.4A/12V 1A
USB-C Output (PD): DC 5V 3A/9V 2A/12V 1.5A (18W Max)
USB-A Output: DC 5V 2.1A/9V 2A/12V 1.5A (18W)
Total Output: 18W
Size: 2.99”x 2.32”x 1.06”
Weight: 180 g

On the top surface, there is a power button and the LED battery charge level indicator that shows 4 LEDs. Each LED represents 25% of the charge.
On one side of the Power Bank, there is a USB-A port for conventional USB charging.

On the opposite side of the Power Bank, there is an in/out USC-C port. This port is used for charging the internal battery of the Power bank and is also capable of Power Delivery for charging devices.

Performance

The Power bank arrived with approximately 50% charge as shown by the 2 lit LEDs in the picture below. If you short press the power button it shows the level of charge. Once you fully charge the Power Bank, it is ready to go.

The picture below shows my iPhone 10X max being charged with a USB-A to Lightning cable. I was able to charge my phone from 31% to 100% in 1 hour and 45 minutes.

For the second test, I purchased a USB-C to lightning “Apple Certified” cable to charge my iPhone via the USB-C port.

It took 1 hour and 22 minutes to charge my phone from 54% to 100% which is about the same compared to charging my phone via the USB-A port.

The 2 tests were performed within 5 days, and after the tests, there was a 50% charge left on the Novoo.

What I like

  • The compact size
  • The build quality
  • The internal battery capacity
  • The Quick Charge capability

What can be improved

  • A USB-C cable to Android/IOS should be included (Possibly one with an adapter for the other)

Final thoughts

This portable USB Power Bank works quite well and is compact enough that you can just throw it in your bag and carry it with you at all times. The battery size is good enough to make it very useful, and the USB-C port is a nice feature especially since these days, USB-C is becoming a standard port on everything. The build quality for this device is good and the charging time is also good. For the price, I give it two thumbs up.

Price: $25.99
Where to buy: Amazon
Sample: The sample for this review was provided by Novoo

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NOVOO Portable Charger USB C Power Bank review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on June 12, 2019 at 10:00 am.

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Loftek LED light ball review

REVIEW – The Loftek LED ball is a versatile ambiance-creator, with multiple modes and color options to inspire anything from a high-charged dance party, to a romantic evening, to some quiet, personal meditation.

What is it?

It’s an 8-inch, waterproof, indoor/outdoor sphere-shaped light.

What’s in the box?

  • LED ball
  • Charger
  • Instruction manual
  • Remote control

Hardware specs

  • Weight: 1.2 pounds (lamp only)
  • IP Rating: IP65 (completely sealed against dust ingress and moderate water jets)
  • Power: 1.2W
  • Input: AC 100V-240V 50/60Hz
  • Output: DC 5V 1A
  • Battery capacity: 1100mAh
  • Work time: 6-12 hours (depending on brightness and color settings)
  • Charge time: 4 hours

Design and features

Setup

Setup was simple. Just charge it until the adapter light switches from red to green, and you’re good to go.

An orange tab clicks in and covers the charging port when you’re ready to use it, making it completely cordless when not powering up.

Controls

The remote control is easy to understand and fun to play with. You have 16 color options to choose from. The dark blue was my personal favorite!

You can also adjust the brightness with five levels of dimming, using the sunshine buttons in the upper left corner.

It features four different effects:

  • “Flash” made it quickly jump from color to color, in what I would consider a flashy, disco party style.
  • “Strobe” is exactly what you’d imagine, using only white light.
  • “Fade” makes it fade from color to color, and you can adjust the transition speed with the brightness button.
  • “Smooth” is similar to fade but makes a smooth transition instead of a fading transition.

Performance

We used ours only outside and in hot, humid, cool and even stormy conditions with no problems. We accidentally left it in the pool overnight with no ill effects. Clearly, it’s waterproof and weather-proof.

The battery life is amazing. We’ve used it well over 10 hours,  mostly on peak brightness, and it’s still going strong.

In the water, my teen and his buddies tossed it around a little, and it didn’t harm the light at all. But they quickly confirmed it’s not as fun to throw as a real ball and left it alone.

It does, however, look beautiful on or next to the water in every mode we tested. (These pictures don’t do it justice!)

My only minor complaint is that the remote control had a pretty short range. I could change it from across the width of my pool, but not length-wise and certainly not from the porch or inside the house.

What I like

  • Easily adjusts to your ideal mood, from partying to relaxing
  • Sleek, simple and durable
  • Long battery life

What needs to be improved

  • Longer range on the remote control

Final thoughts

It’s an attractive, easily adjustable indoor/outdoor light. Would be stunning for an outdoor wedding and fun for any nighttime backyard/pool party.

Price: $32.99
Where to buy: Loftek and Amazon
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Loftek

Filed in categories: Reviews

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Loftek LED light ball review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on June 12, 2019 at 9:00 am.

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