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It would be easy to move files between two PCs as if they were one unit if you could merely plug a USB cable between them and move your mouse pointer between their screens. Indeed, it is possible and has been for some time now, but Thunderbolt Share from Intel might soon give that concept a major boost. Intel has licensed the right to use this proprietary software, which laptop, desktop, and accessory makers can include in new hardware packages. It may be installed on two Thunderbolt 4 or 5 computers, linked to them via a Thunderbolt connection, and allows you to drag and drop files at Thunderbolt speeds, sync data between them, and share your mouse, keyboard, displays, storage, and other USB devices. Sharing an internet connection is not permitted, though.






According to Intel, mirroring a PC's screen to another at 1080p quality and 60 frames per second with minimal compression and low latency is also possible. If a direct link isn't convenient, the PCs can also connect via a Thunderbolt dock or monitor. It's worth noting that a computer must not only be certified Thunderbolt compatible, but also have an Intel processor. "Thunderbolt 3 and USB 4 connections might work, but we just really can't guarantee it and we won't be offering support for it," says Jason Ziller, the head of Intel Thunderbolt.




Nonetheless, the app is necessary, and Intel will charge OEMs an additional license fee to bundle it with new hardware alone. This is useful in a limited number of contexts because it requires the purchase of a certain set of Thunderbolt computers or accessories! On the other hand, Intel claims that any Thunderbolt Share PC you purchase comes with two licenses, or two with any accessory. The reason the software is an upsell, according to Ziller, is that Intel wants to thoroughly test and validate it with PC manufacturers "to make sure it's a great experience."




The initial partners in PCs are Acer, Lenovo, MSI, Razer, and peripheral vendors Belkin, Kensington, Plugable, and Promise Technology. A Thunderbolt cable coupled with the Bravura Easy Computer Sync program, which allows drag and drop and remote computer control, is already sold by Plugable. Previously, some of those companies sold "Easy Transfer" cords made to move from one computer to another. How would Thunderbolt Share stack up, I wonder.




Exploring Intel's Thunderbolt Share and the Future of PC Connectivity

 


This year, Motorola's Moto G Stylus 5G is back with some significant spec increases and a striking new look. The $399 model of this year retains old features like a headphone jack and microSD card slot while adding wireless charging and an improved screen.





Still, the G Stylus 5G is a large phone. A 6.7-inch screen is included with it. This year's 6.6-inch LCD has been replaced with a 1080p panel with a refresh rate of up to 120 Hz. The large 5,000mAh battery can be charged at 15W wirelessly and 30W quickly via cable connection. The Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chipset, which is strangely the same as the one in the model from last year, powers the 2024 Stylus 5G. Though phone manufacturers don't frequently switch to the same chipset twice in a row, this one at least has 8GB of RAM instead of just 6.






There are also some enhancements to the paired stylus. As per the press release from Motorola, the stylus's user interface is enhanced and its latency is decreased by utilizing a "larger contact area" along with certain software changes. The 13-megapixel ultra wide and 32-megapixel selfie cameras have also been improved, while the primary back camera remains a 50-megapixel sensor with optical image stabilization. Pixel binning is a technique used by the selfie camera to increase sensitivity in low light, which should result in better shots in low light.





Along with eschewing the unimpressive appearance from last year, the Stylus 5G adopts Motorola's apparent motto this year, "Make Phones Fun Again." A soft-touch vegan leather finish is present on the rear panel. (I realize that's just a fancy term for plastic.) Two color possibilities for the phone are caramel latte and an orange-colored scarlet wave. Really, they both look great.

Motorola's Midrange Stylus Phone Embraces Wireless Charging and a Stylish Glow-Up


Google is making the process of configuring two-factor authentication (2FA) more efficient. To activate 2FA, you can now add a "second step method" to your account, such as an authenticator app or a hardware security key, and bypass the need to enter your phone number first.




As a result, enabling 2FA should be safer because it eliminates the need for less secure SMS verification. You have two options: either link a hardware security key or input a time-based, one-time passcode using apps like Google Authenticator.




Google provides two methods for linking a security key: either giving the hardware key a passkey or registering a FIDO1 credential on it. It can still be necessary to sign in using a password if you have a Workspace account connected to an organization and wish to utilize a passkey. This depends on the configuration of your organization.




All Workspace users and individuals with personal Google accounts are undergoing the rollout of the modification by Google. Over 400 million accounts have created passkeys with Google since the firm began allowing users to do so last year.

Google's New Approach to 2FA Setup: What You Need to Know






  Regarding the testing of new Copilot capabilities in Windows 11, Microsoft states in their most recent Windows Insider blog entries that "We have decided to pause the rollouts of these experiences to further refine them based on user feedback." As we continue to develop new concepts with Windows Insiders, "Copilot in Windows will continue to work as expected" for those who currently have the feature.





With 2024 dubbed "the year of the AI PC" and a new Copilot key on Windows keyboards, Microsoft is hosting an AI event on May 20th, which would be a good moment to reveal additional details about what's coming up next.





Expect Windows on Arm-powered Surface computers from Qualcomm, which aim to rival Apple's M3-powered MacBook Air. Meanwhile, new Windows features are anticipated to highlight the concept of a "Copilot for every person" and include an AI Explorer app that mimics the previous

Refining the Future: Microsoft's Journey with Copilot AI Updates in Windows

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