Eliana Willis

Screenshot by Jack Wallen/ZDNETI search for things all the time. And, yes, that search also includes my computer’s file system. I also search YouTube, the web, and even AI services. It’s inevitable at this point, and to that end, I depend on a single tool to help make those searches more efficient. On Linux, that tool is Albert.Also: 10 Linux apps I install on every new machine (and why you should, too)Albert is the closest Linux app I’ve found to Alfred for MacOS. Hit a keyboard shortcut and a search bar opens on the desktop, where you can search any number of targets (file system, ChatGPT, YouTube, web, and more).For example, I might want to research, “What is Linux?” on ChatGPT. For that process, I can open Albert and type, Search ChatGPT for What is Linux? My default web browser will open to the ChatGPT service, and the results of the query will show up.Also: I ditched Spotlight on my Mac for this more powerful search tool – and it’s freeOr maybe I know a file I need to find, so I open the Albert search field and start typing the file name. From the results, I can select the file and open it with Enter.Albert is easy to use and includes a list of plugins you can enable/disable for:ApplicationsCalculatorClipboardDocumentationFilesMedia playerSSHURL handlerWeb searchCaffeineChromiumData and timeHash generatorPATHPython pluginsSnippetsSystemTime zonesTimersVPNMany of the plugins can be configured to meet your needs. For example, the Files plugin allows you to add directories for indexing. Once those directories have been indexed, any file or folder within is searchable. Also: How to create system restore points on Linux with Timeshift – and why you shouldYou can add as many directories as you need and even configure settings for each of those directories.  More

Jada Jones/ZDNETIn addition to a pair of trusty headphones for private listening when you’re out in public, you need a portable speaker to keep the music bumping when you’re outside grilling, swimming, or walking. A speaker to have inside for jamming out while you’re cleaning, cooking, or hosting friends is a bonus, and one that’s stylish enough to go from your outdoor hike to your indoor dinner party is a rarity.Also: The 15 best expert-picked Father’s Day gifts for tech-loving dadsAlthough smart home speakers and portable Bluetooth speakers are a dime a dozen — and I’ve tested plenty to know — few are a blend of both. The Sonos Roam 2 is the one I reach for, even a year after its release.Here’s why it’s still my favorite.It’s a perfect blend of style and functionality More

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With iOS 18.5, Apple added a new Pride Harmony wallpaper for the iPhone (and the iPad) and a new face for the Apple Watch. Beyond celebrating the LGBTQ+ community, the new wallpaper sports colors that change position as you move, lock, and unlock your phone.If you want to add it as your wallpaper, segue to the Lock screen on your iPhone and press down on any empty area. At the Customize screen, tap the plus sign. Swipe down the screen for adding new wallpaper until you see the Pride section and then tap the one for Harmony.Next, you can change any of the default widgets on the screen, including the date, time, flashlight, and camera. When finished, tap Add. To use this as your wallpaper on both the Lock screen and Home screen, tap the button for “Set as Wallpaper Pair.” Swipe up to exit wallpaper mode, and the new background will be in place. More

To figure this out, you’re going to need to get a pencil and do some back of the envelope calculations.  You’re going to need a couple of bits of information.First, you need to know what devices you are going to power. List them all, because forgetting that coffee pot or heated blanket could make the difference between the power station lasting all day, or giving up the ghost on you before the day is over.Specifically, you want to know how much power, in watts, each device draws. This information is usually found on a label on the device. For example, a heater might draw 1,000W, while a CPAP machine might draw 60W. This figure represents the maximum power consumption, and you will find that the power consumption of some devices, such as CPAP machines, fluctuates greatly, while for other devices, like the heater, the power consumption remains quite stable.Next, you need to know how long you plan on running your devices during a day, or between recharges of your power station. Your heater might run for two hours, while the CPAP machine could run for eight hours.Power station capacities are measured in watt-hours (Wh). A device drawing 1,000W running for one hour uses 1,000Wh. Therefore, the same device running for two hours will need 2,000Wh. Heaters are some of the most power-hungry devices that people find themselves needing to run.Similarly, a CPAP machine that uses 60W will consume 60Wh per hour, so running it for eight hours would consume 480Wh.Your total energy usage over 24 hours would then be 2,480Wh.Based on this, you might think that a 2,500Wh capacity power station would be sufficient. However, in reality, nothing is perfect, and there are energy losses in the system. The rule of thumb is to add 20% to your total and then round up to the next highest capacity available. So, you’d be looking at a power station with a capacity of around 3,000Wh to ensure you have enough stored power for the day. More

zhengshun tang/Getty Images SAN DIEGO — At its annual FinOps X meeting, the FinOps Foundation announced the launch of “FinOps Certified: FinOps for AI.” The new training and certification program is designed to equip FinOps practitioners with the skills needed to manage and optimize the rapidly growing costs associated with artificial intelligence (AI) in cloud environments. This […] More

Nomad always has an overstock sale option to help offload various products and models. The open box sale is live while supplies last, and plenty of popular products, like limited edition Apple Watch bands are flying off the shelves. However, deals are subject to sell out or expire at any time, although ZDNET remains committed to finding, sharing, and updating the best product deals for you to score the best savings. Our team of experts regularly checks in on the deals we share to ensure they are still live and obtainable. We’re sorry if you’ve missed out on this deal, but don’t fret — we’re constantly finding new chances to save and sharing them with you at ZDNET.com. More

Thomas Fuller/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images If you collaborate with other people on the same Google Drive files, a new AI-powered feature will help you stay on top of any changes made while you’re away. Google recently announced a new feature called Catch me up. Starting Wednesday, Google said, Gemini can tell when changes are […] More