Is Now The Time to Move From Windows to Linux After KB5074109?

by Dale Meredith | Feb 3, 2026 | Geek Speak, Tech Living, Trending

Is Now The Time to Move From Windows to Linux After KB5074109?

2 weeks ago, my PC started acting like a moody toaster. I didn’t think it would turn into a whole operating system crisis. Then the Windows 11 update KB5074109 landed (released January 13, 2026), and suddenly “normal computer stuff” became a rotating cast of boot failures, apps freezing, and sleep mode doing its best impression of a coma.

I’m not new to troubleshooting, but even I hit that point where you stare at the screen and think, why is the thing I pay time and attention to the one demanding more of both? If you’re tired of Windows on Windows 10 or 11, you’re not alone, and if you’ve been side-eyeing a switch from Windows to Linux, that’s not a weird impulse anymore in 2026. It’s a reasonable question.

I’m focusing on Nobara and Pop!_OS because they’re friendly Linux distributions for normal humans but serious enough for gamers and power users who want to embrace open-source software. And if you want the messy, real timeline, receipts, and all, my full journey is in this shared chat: my Linux switch journal. Here, I’m going to summarize the key steps and lessons without assuming you speak fluent terminal.

What KB5074109 Broke, And Why It’s Making Me Rethink My Relationship with Windows

An update gone wrong can turn a normal work setup into a recovery-mode afternoon, created with AI.

KB5074109 wasn’t “just another Patch Tuesday” for a lot of people. The problem wasn’t only that things broke; it was that the breakage hit basics: booting, stability, and everyday apps. Microsoft did ship out-of-band fixes after the fact for some symptoms (more on that below), but the main damage was trust. When an update can brick the start of your day, you stop treating system updates like routine maintenance and start treating them like Russian roulette with your calendar.

From what I’ve seen in reports and user threads, KB5074109 issues have been persistent on certain Windows 11 builds and configurations, often in environments where a prior update had already left the system in a fragile state. If you want a quick, readable overview of the boot failures tied to this update, NotebookCheck’s summary is a solid starting point: KB5074109 boot failure reports.

Here’s the thing that matters for families and for work: forced updates plus a big blast radius equals risk. When a patch can take out email, cloud files, or booting, the cost isn’t “tech annoyance.” It’s missed school assignments, missed meetings, and a weekend eaten by recovery screens.

The Real-World Problems People Faced After Installing It

The stories were painfully consistent and, honestly, too relatable.

Some people hit boot failures with black screens and errors like “UNMOUNTABLE_BOOT_VOLUME.” That’s not a “reboot and try again” kind of day. That’s a “find another computer and start making a recovery USB” kind of day.

Others ran into Outlook problems, especially with POP and PST files. A common flavor was Outlook freezing or crashing when dealing with mail storage, and it got worse when cloud storage entered the chat. Picture this: Outlook locks up while saving an attachment to OneDrive, and now your “quick email” becomes a troubleshooting session. Windows Latest tracked a pile of these symptoms in one place, including Outlook and freeze issues: KB5074109 reported problems.

Then there were the oddball-but-real issues: Notepad or Snipping Tool refusing to launch, sleep mode failing (S3 sleep issues on some older systems), restart loops, Task Manager acting weird, and even reports of hardware compatibility problems with legacy drivers (like older modem drivers) breaking.

And yes, I saw reports of NVIDIA users hitting black screens. If that’s your world, Pureinfotech documented a set of symptoms and workarounds worth skimming: NVIDIA black screen fix notes.

What I Learned: It’s Not Just One Bad Patch, It’s The Lack of Control

Even when Microsoft fixes a chunk of it, the core lesson sticks: with this proprietary software, I don’t control the timing, and I don’t control the risk. That’s the part that wears people down.

Sure, there are mitigation steps. Uninstall the update, use System Restore, boot into Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE), roll back, pause updates, and repeat. Microsoft’s own user threads show how common “black screen after update” has become as a category of pain: Microsoft Q&A on KB5074109 black screens.

But ask a non-tech parent to do that while the family laptop won’t boot, and you’ll see why this is stressful. It’s not that people can’t learn (even if Windows errors feel more daunting than typing commands in a Linux terminal); it’s that they shouldn’t have to learn disaster recovery because they clicked “Restart now.”

This whole mess also re-lit the privacy conversation for me. When you’re already frustrated, it’s hard to ignore how much telemetry and account tie-in is baked into the experience. I wrote more about that angle here: Microsoft update privacy concerns.

How I’m Deciding If Linux Is Right for Me (And How You Can Decide Too)

My goal isn’t to “switch operating systems.” My goal is to stop wasting time on chaos I didn’t choose. So I built a simple decision framework I can actually live with, and you can steal it.

First, I’m getting honest about what I truly need, versus what I’m just used to. If the only reason I keep Windows is muscle memory, that’s not a good reason. If the reason is a must-have app for work, that’s a very good reason.

Second, I’m measuring my tolerance for troubleshooting. Linux in 2026 is dramatically easier than it used to be, but it’s still not magical. If you want something that behaves like a locked-down appliance, you can test a Linux distribution in VirtualBox first, but you’ll still need a little curiosity.

Third, I’m looking at hardware support like it’s a deal negotiation, especially since the hardware requirements for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, sleep/wake, GPU drivers, multi-monitor setups, and printers are where “perfect on paper” becomes “why is this button greyed out?”

Finally, I’m weighing security and privacy goals. Not in a tinfoil hat way. In a “who’s in charge of my device” way.

My Deal Breakers: Apps, Files, And Workflows I Can’t Lose

I started with an inventory. Not a fancy spreadsheet, just a real list of what I open every week. You can quickly get one by using this command line command from a PowerShell prompt:

Get-ItemProperty HKLM:\Software\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall* | Select-Object DisplayName, Publisher | Format-Table -AutoSize > installed_apps.txt.

I also did a hardware inventory by using the following prompts:

Get-ComputerInfo | Select-Object CsManufacturer, CsModel, OsArchitecture, CsProcessors, CsTotalPhysicalMemory | Out-File hardware_basic.txt

Get-WmiObject Win32_VideoController | Select-Object Name, DriverVersion, VideoModeDescription | Out-File hardware_gpu.txt

Get-NetAdapter | Select-Object Name, InterfaceDescription, Status | Out-File hardware_network.txt

Get-WmiObject Win32_SoundDevice | Select-Object Name, Manufacturer | Out-File hardware_audio.txt

I then fed all of the text files that these commands created into Claude (you could use ChatGPT if you want), which told me which drivers or apps would be an issue.

For many people, the big rocks are Microsoft Office and Outlook. If your life lives inside Outlook desktop with PST/OST files, you need to test carefully. The Office web apps in Microsoft 365 help a lot, and LibreOffice provides a solid local alternative for managing documents. Many work portals are browser-first now, which makes switching easier than it was a few years ago.

I also checked my “adulting apps”: password manager, VPN, backup tool, printer/scanner utilities, and anything tied to school or work identity logins. On the password side, I’m a fan of keeping it simple and consistent across devices, and a password manager is non-negotiable for me. If you need a push on that, here’s why I treat it as basic hygiene: why a password manager is essential.

The file format question matters too. DOCX is usually fine. Photos are usually fine. PST files can be… spicy. CloudSync services, like OneDrive or Dropbox, also change the risk. If your plan is “I’ll move later,” you’ll end up moving during a crisis. Testing is the calm way.

Gaming and Creator Stuff: Where Linux Is Great Now, And Where It Still Hurts

Linuxux gaming is legit now, mostly because Steam’s Proton makes a lot of Windows games run well. But I’m not going to sugarcoat the pain points.

Anti-cheat can still block some titles, and certain launchers can be stubborn. VR support can be hit or miss depending on your hardware and the games you play. Streaming setups can be great (OBS is strong on Linux), but you’ll want to validate capture devices, audio routing, and GPU encoding.

My rule is simple: test your top 5 games and your top 3 creator tools before you commit. If you don’t test, you’re not “switching,” you’re gambling.

Security, Privacy, And Family Use: The Quiet Reasons Linux Is Getting Popular

Linux doesn’t make you invincible. You still need updates, strong passwords, and backups. You can still install something sketchy and ruin your day.

But Linux does change the default relationship. I get more control over when updates happen, what gets installed, and how noisy the system is. Less nagging. Fewer ads baked into the OS experience. Fewer “helpful suggestions” that feel like sales.

For families, that control can be a relief. A kid just needs a stable machine for school, video, and maybe Minecraft. A parent needs an email and a browser that doesn’t implode after an update. Linux can do that.

A home setup where Linux can serve both work and play without constant interruptions, created with AI.

Also, if you’re migrating partly for security, don’t forget the basics still matter across any OS: secure browsing, safe downloads, and encrypted connections when you’re on public Wi-Fi. If you want my practical take, here are the advantages of VPN for privacy.

Nobara vs Pop!_OS: How I’m Starting My Journey

Two popular Linux choices side-by-side, one tuned for gaming and one tuned for daily work, created with AI.

I’m treating Nobara and Pop!_OS like two different vehicles. One is a sporty hatchback that’s fun right away. The other is a reliable SUV that starts every morning and doesn’t make my life exciting.

Both are free. Both can be tested from a USB drive without installing. Both are modern enough that you don’t need to be a Linux historian to use them.

The biggest difference, in plain English, is this: Nobara tries to get you gaming faster out of the box, Pop!_OS tries to be a calm, clean daily system that still plays games. Much of this comes down to their desktop environment choices, which affect the visual and functional feel of the system.

Why I’m Looking at Nobara First

Nobarara is Fedora-based and tuned for gaming and streaming. The whole pitch is “less setup, more playing.” That means codecs and tweaks are commonly included, so you aren’t hunting for basic stuff after installation. It often pairs this with KDE Plasma for a gaming-centric interface that suits tinkerers.

The tradeoff is speed. Faster-moving updates can mean you get newer features sooner, but you might also see more surprises than you’d want on a machine you rely on for work deadlines.

If you’re the type who updates drivers on day one and enjoys tinkering, Nobara makes a lot of sense. If your main goal is “I want Steam and my controller to work today,” it’s appealing. For users with older hardware seeking efficiency, options like Xfce exist across Linux distros, but Nobara shines on modern gaming rigs.

If you want the official voice behind the project, their documentation is worth a skim before you commit: Nobara new user guidelines.

Why Pop!_OS Feels Like The Safer Daily Driver

Pop!_OS is Ubuntu-based and built by System76, and it feels like it was designed by people who want your computer to stop bothering you. The UI is clean, the workflow is friendly with its GNOME base, and it’s especially popular on laptops because it tends to behave well with power management and everyday hardware. Users can easily find and install apps via the Software Manager.

Pop!_OS also offers an NVIDIA-friendly path, which matters if you’ve ever been trapped in driver drama. I’m not promising perfection, but I like stacking the odds in my favor. Those seeking a classic Windows-like feel might look to Linux Mint and its Cinnamon desktop instead.

My personal bias is simple: I want my main machine boring and reliable. I don’t want to “babysit” it. So Pop!_OS is my front-runner for the system I use for writing, admin tasks, browsers, and normal life, with gaming as a bonus.

My Low-Risk Migration Plan: Try Linux Without Nuking Your Windows Life

Testing Linux from a USB drive before installing helps keep the process calm and reversible, created with AI.

If Linux curiosity feels like standing at the edge of a pool, my plan is the shallow end first. No drama, no “wipe the drive and pray,” and no weekend-long rebuild unless I’m sure.

I’m also assuming something important: if Windows just burned you with a bad update, your risk tolerance is low. That’s normal. So my migration plan is designed to keep Windows intact until Linux proves itself in my real routine.

There are a couple of gotchas to keep in mind as you plan. Device encryption and BitLocker can complicate resizing partitions. Secure Boot in your UEFI firmware can block some setups depending on BIOS settings. None of this is a deal-breaker, it just means you should go slow and read the prompts instead of clicking through on autopilot.

Step 1: Test Drive on a USB and Check Your Hardware Basics

A live USB is exactly what it sounds like: you boot Linux from a bootable USB drive and try it without installing. It’s the closest thing to a risk-free test. Download the ISO file for your chosen distro, then use Rufus to create the bootable USB drive.

In my first 15 minutes, I check the stuff that ruins daily life if it doesn’t work: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, audio, mic, webcam, trackpad gestures, sleep and wake, external monitor, and basic printing.

If you game, add GPU sanity checks. Make sure the refresh rate is right, make sure the resolution isn’t weird, and make sure performance isn’t obviously broken. I’m not benchmarking; I’m just looking for red flags.

Step 2: Dual Boot vs Full Install, And Why I’m Not Rushing It

Dual boot means you keep Windows and install Linux alongside it. When you start the PC, you choose which one to run. It’s a safety net, and it’s great for testing during the installation process.

The downside is complexity. You’re managing partitions, boot menus, and two operating systems that both think they deserve the front seat. If you’re not careful, you can make recovery harder, not easier.

A full install is simpler once you’re ready. One system, one update flow, one set of backups. Clean and calm.

My personal rule: I keep Windows until I’ve had two normal weeks on Linux. Not “two exciting weeks.” Two boring weeks where I can work, browse, game a bit, and sleep with the laptop without surprises.

Step 3: Rebuild My Daily Apps the Linux Way (Without Fighting the OS)

The fastest way to hate Linux is trying to treat it exactly like Windows. The better approach is to use the package manager, install trusted packages, and stop hunting random installers on the web.

My realistic app stack looks like this: Office web for certain tasks, LibreOffice for local docs, Thunderbird if I want a desktop mail client, Steam for games, and OBS for recording and streaming.

This is also where I tighten my “don’t download sketchy stuff” rule. Linux malware exists, and bad habits are still bad habits. If you need a reminder of how ugly random downloads can get, especially in the “free software” corners of the internet, here’s my warning label: dangers of using pirated software.

Backups matter more than any OS choice. I want at least one external drive backup plus cloud sync for the stuff that changes often. If an update breaks something, I want the fix to be “restore and move on,” not “rebuild my life from memory.”

Conclusion

KB5074109 didn’t make Windows perfect; it just made Windows feel less predictable than I’m willing to accept. If you’re frustrated with update chaos or privacy nags, or you’ve got older hardware that still deserves a second life, Linux is worth serious consideration right now. If you’re a gamer who’s willing to test your favorites first, or you want more control over your own device, it’s an especially good time to experiment.

If you have must-have Windows-only apps, a locked-down work laptop, or zero bandwidth for troubleshooting, waiting is the smart move. My recommendation is simple: read my Linux switch journal if you’re ready to switch from Windows to Linux, then try a live USB test of your preferred Linux distribution (like Linux Mint for beginners who might find the other options too complex) this weekend and decide based on evidence, not hype.

AI Agents: What They Are and How They’re Changing Work in 2025

by Dale Meredith | Aug 4, 2025 | Geek Speak, Tech Living

Artificial intelligence is no longer just about chatbots that follow a script. A new generation of software known as AI agents is taking center stage. You may have heard the term used loosely, so this article explains what AI agents are, how they work, and why they are becoming important for everyday tasks. It also highlights practical frameworks and real-world uses.

What Are AI Agents?

An AI agent is an autonomous program that perceives its environment, reasons about what it senses, and takes actions to achieve specific goals. Unlike a simple chatbot, an AI agent integrates decision-making, learning, memory, and multi-step planning. The MarkTechPost guide notes that agents can manage data, call tools and APIs, and act without constant human intervention.

Researchers in early 2025 agreed that these agents differ from typical AI systems. They emphasized that agents plan, reason, learn, and interact with their environments to accomplish complex objectives. In practical terms, an agent knows your goal, decomposes it into steps, and executes those steps using available tools. This autonomy makes them more adaptable than traditional automation.

Key Traits of AI Agents

AI agents share a set of core abilities that distinguish them from basic automation:

Autonomy: Agents operate with minimal supervision. They can initiate tasks and make decisions on your behalf.
Learning and adaptation: Agents learn from feedback and improve over time.
Reasoning and decision-making: Agents use models (often large language models) to interpret information and plan actions.
Memory: Short-term memory helps agents keep context within a session, while long-term memory stores preferences and history.
Tool usage: Agents can call external APIs, run code, or interact with other software to perform tasks.
Planning: Agents break down goals into sub-tasks and execute a sequence of actions.

These traits allow agents to handle multi-step workflows, from answering questions to booking flights, without you micro-managing every step.

How AI Agents Work

AI agents are built from several interconnected components rather than being a single monolithic program. Here’s how the parts fit together:

Perception and Memory

An agent first perceives inputs—text, voice, images, sensor data or API responses. It processes these inputs into an internal representation, then stores context in short-term memory and longer patterns in long-term memory. Memory lets an agent recall previous interactions, personalize responses, and learn from past outcomes.

Planning and Decision-Making

Agents rely on a processing module—usually a large language model—to analyze information and decide what to do next. They convert high-level goals into smaller tasks, simulate possible actions, and select a sequence that should achieve the goal. Planning algorithms such as Tree-of-Thoughts or reinforcement learning help them choose efficient paths.

Tool Use and Autonomy

Once a plan is in place, the tool use module allows agents to call APIs, execute code, search the web, or interact with software. This step sets them apart from chatbots: they can fetch live data, perform calculations, or control devices. The agent then evaluates the outcome, updates its memory, and decides whether to take another action. This loop continues until the goal is met. The MarkTechPost guide highlights that this integration of perception, memory, planning, and tool use enables agents to function as cognitive layers over data and applications.

Leading AI Agent Frameworks

Several frameworks make it easier for developers to build and deploy AI agents. According to MarkTechPost’s 2025 overview, the most notable include:

LangChain: An open-source framework that chains together prompts, tools, and memory. It integrates with services like OpenAI, Anthropic, vector databases, and web scrapers.
Microsoft AutoGen: Designed for multi-agent orchestration and code automation. It defines roles such as Planner, Developer, and Reviewer that collaborate via natural language.
Semantic Kernel: A toolkit from Microsoft that embeds AI into applications via “skills” and planners. It’s model-agnostic and supports multiple languages.
OpenAI Agents SDK: A lightweight SDK optimized for GPT-4. It provides structured workflows with built-in monitoring and guardrails.
SuperAGI: An agent operating system offering persistent multi-agent execution, memory management, and a marketplace for components.
CrewAI: Focuses on collaborative teams by defining specialized roles (Planner, Coder, Critic) and coordinating them.
IBM watsonx Orchestrate: A no-code solution for creating digital workers across enterprise workflows.

These frameworks handle heavy lifting—planning, memory management, and tool integrations—so you can focus on what the agent should accomplish.

Use Cases for AI Agents

AI agents are already being adopted across many domains. MarkTechPost outlines several practical applications:

IT and service desk automation: Agents route help-desk tickets, diagnose issues, and resolve common problems.
Customer support and sales: They handle inquiries, recommend products, and even manage returns.
Contract and document analysis: Agents can extract and summarize data from contracts, reducing time spent by up to 75%.
E-commerce and inventory management: They predict demand, track inventory, and process returns.
Logistics and operations: Agents optimize routes and monitor equipment health; UPS reportedly saves hundreds of millions of dollars through AI-driven route optimization.
HR and finance: Agents process HR queries, automate invoice processing, and perform financial reconciliation.
Research and analytics: They summarize reports, retrieve insights, and generate dashboards.

These examples show how agents are moving from labs into everyday workflows, saving time and improving efficiency.

How AI Agents Differ from Chatbots and LLMs

It’s easy to confuse AI agents with chatbots or large language models. The MarkTechPost article compares the three. Chatbots are reactive—good for answering specific questions but limited to predefined scripts. LLMs like GPT-4 generate text and provide context but lack persistent memory and decision-making. AI agents combine LLMs with memory, planning, tool use, and feedback loops to create autonomous systems. They are proactive, goal-oriented, and adapt as they execute tasks. This integration makes them powerful but also introduces challenges.

Challenges and the Path Ahead

Despite the buzz, AI agents are not a panacea. Early research highlights concerns about safety, ethics, and control. Fully autonomous agents raise issues of alignment with human values, security risks, and potential misuse. Balancing autonomy with oversight is an active area of research. For example, frameworks like CrewAI emphasize roles that allow humans to audit or override decisions.

Another challenge is evaluating agent performance. Benchmarking initiatives such as AARBench, AgentEval, and HELM are emerging to measure task execution and tool use. You should also be aware of data privacy and transparency when deploying agents in sensitive areas.

On the positive side, the field is progressing quickly. Multi-agent systems, modular architectures, improved planning algorithms, and robust safety protocols are advancing. Many frameworks now provide guardrails and monitoring to mitigate risk. As these systems mature, expect agents to become reliable co-workers that extend your capabilities rather than replace you.

Getting Started

If you’re curious to experiment with AI agents, several resources exist. Open-source templates from LangChain, AutoGen, and SuperAgent allow you to build simple agents without deep coding expertise. Start with a focused goal—such as automating email responses or summarizing documents. Pay attention to memory management and define clear boundaries for what the agent can do. Over time, you can add more tools and refine the agent’s behavior.

For a broader perspective, check out the MarkTechPost guide on agent architectures and the ML-Science landscape analysis that explores evolving definitions and capabilities. These articles provide deeper dives into frameworks, research developments, and future directions.

Conclusion

AI agents are shifting the focus of artificial intelligence from passive chatbots to autonomous partners. By combining perception, memory, planning, tool use, and learning, agents can perform complex, multi-step tasks. They are already transforming IT support, customer service, logistics, and more. While challenges remain around safety, evaluation, and ethics, the momentum is clear. As frameworks mature and best practices emerge, AI agents will likely become an integral part of how you work and interact with technology.

External Resources

You can read more about AI agent frameworks and applications in the MarkTechPost guide and explore research trends and definitions in the ML-Science article.

Internal Resource

For related content on this site, see our earlier post on automation and productivity Inter nal Link Placeholder. This link will be updated to point to an existing page once the article is uploaded.

Exciting News: Google Introduces Passkeys for Enhanced Account Security

by Dale Meredith | Jul 31, 2023 | Geek Speak, Tech Living

Hey there, exciting news coming your way! Google has started a fantastic initiative where they’re introducing a new way to log into your personal accounts, and it’s called “passkeys.” This cool feature is rolling out this month for all of Google’s billions of users, and you can be one of the first to try it out and switch it on. Passkeys allow you to log in to any of your accounts using just one set of credentials, so you won’t have to remember a bunch of different passwords anymore. Plus, passkeys are incredibly secure and prevent malicious hackers from accessing your personal information.

The Problem with Passwords

For years, we’ve been relying on passwords to keep our online accounts secure. But as we know, passwords can have their issues – they can get stolen, or we can be tricked into giving them away. It’s hard to keep track of which password goes with which site or app, unless you use a password manager like LastPass. Google’s new passkey system is here to make things safer and more secure. The magic behind this lies in cryptographic keys that are stored on your devices and used to verify your identity.

Industry-Wide Support for Passkeys

In the last year, the FIDO Alliance, an industry group advocating for password alternatives, has been pushing for the use of passkeys. Big players like Microsoft, Google, and Apple have already set up the infrastructure needed for passkeys. But if you’ve never used a passkey before, don’t worry, you’re not the only one.

Growing Adoption and Google’s Leadership

The next step is for various online services to offer passkeys as a login option. Some companies, including PayPal, Shopify, CVS Health, Kayak, and Hyatt, have already taken the leap. The introduction of passkeys for Google users is a big deal, considering Google’s wide reach and resources.

Andrew Shikiar, the executive director of the FIDO Alliance, believes this is a game-changer. He says, “It’s an inflection point. With Google enabling this and so many people getting familiar with passkey sign-ins, more people will likely start using them elsewhere. It will also inspire other companies to follow suit, and we’ll learn and grow together in this journey.”

Why are passkeys more secure?

Let’s put it in simple terms. Imagine your password is like a key to your house. If someone else gets a copy of that key, they can get inside your house, right? And just like with house keys, if someone can guess your password or trick you into giving it to them, they can get into your online “house” – your accounts.

Now, think about a passkey like a super-smart key that’s unique to you and your device. It can’t be duplicated or guessed. And even if someone tried to trick you into giving it away, they wouldn’t be able to use it, because it works only with your device.

Also, with a passkey, you don’t have to remember complex passwords. It could be something you have (like your phone), something you know (like a PIN), or something you are (like your fingerprint or face). This makes it not only more secure but also more convenient.

How to Start Using Passkeys

To use passkeys, you can use biometric sensors like fingerprint or face scanners, your smartphone’s lock PIN, or physical authentication devices like YubiKeys. If you want to switch your Google account to use a passkey, just log in to your account using this link, and then select “+ Create a passkey” on the device you’re using. You might be asked to verify yourself through a couple of prompts, but afterward, BOOM, you’re done. Now when I go to log into Google I just have to provide my fingerprint. #DigitalLifeRules!

Christiaan Brand, an identity and security product manager at Google, is excited about this change. He says, “We have an opportunity here to change the way users think about signing in. If we can change the way that signing in works for your Google account, we hope that users will get more comfortable with the technology, and it will send a strong message to the industry that this is not just a theory—it’s ready for mass adoption.”

Passkey Management and Security

You can sync your passkeys across all your devices using encrypted services like Google Password Manager and iCloud Keychain. Alternatively, you can set up passkeys on multiple devices by generating a QR code on a device that’s logged into your Google account.

All your Google account passkeys will be listed on the “Passkey Management Page,” where you can review and revoke them. You can even store a passkey for your account on a trusted person’s device as a backup. If you use a passkey to log into your Google account on a shared device, don’t forget to revoke it once you’re done.

Finally, Google wants to reassure you that even after you’ve created a passkey for your account, your traditional username and password login isn’t going anywhere. You can still use it if you prefer. But Google believes that once people get a taste of passkeys, they’ll love them and find them easier to handle than passwords. Once you’ve set up a passkey on a device, Google will automatically detect it and prompt you to log in that way in the future. It’s a brand new day for account security!

Imagine a World Without Passwords

Picture this: a world where you never have to remember another password. Ever. No more writing passwords on sticky notes or trying to remember if your password was your dog’s name, followed by a random number or your favorite superhero with some special characters. And definitely, no more dealing with those ridiculous password rules like needing a capital letter, three numbers, two special symbols, and the secret recipe to your grandma’s famous apple pie. Welcome to a world where passwords are history!

In this brave new world, it’s not about how well you can remember a bunch of letters and numbers. It’s about things that are uniquely you. Your face, your fingerprint, your voice – these things can become your ticket to everything online. And your devices, like your smartphone or a unique key, can be part of this too.

So, imagine you flip open your laptop, it sees your face, and – bam! – you’re in. Or you’re buying the latest gadget online, and instead of typing in a password, you just tap your phone with your thumbprint. The sky’s the limit when it comes to making life easier without passwords.

Conclusion

And here’s the kicker: getting rid of passwords also means getting rid of a big security headache. Stealing or guessing a password? That can be easy-peasy. But stealing your fingerprint or perfectly copying your voice? Not so much. So we’re not only talking about making life more convenient, we’re also talking about making it way more secure.

Plus, if companies aren’t storing passwords anymore, that’s one less goldmine for hackers. And all the time and money that’s spent now on helping people who’ve forgotten their passwords? That can be used for cooler stuff.

Sure, it might take a little time to get used to a world like this. But once we’re there, it’ll be a world where security and simplicity go hand in hand. And the phrase “Forgot your password?” will be nothing more than a blast from the past. So here’s to a future without passwords!

How To Enable Quick Phrases On Your Google Assistant

by Staff | Mar 6, 2023 | Smart Home, Tech Living

I know many of you may be using Google Assistant, but wouldn’t it be even better to use the new Google Assistant tips in your life or work to make life easier? What if you’re looking for something new to say instead of “Hey Google!” or “Okay, Google” to start a Google Assistant command? There’s this cool little feature with Google Assistants called Quick Phrases that is one of my new favorite things. And when it comes to smart home automation, using quick phrases is going to help you inch closer and closer to optimal efficiency.

This relatively new Google Assistant tip will help you eliminate having to say that Google prompt phrase every time. You can speed up your interactions with Google Assistant by using pre-set commands through this feature as well. We cover everything you need to know about enabling quick phrases on Google Assistant. If you have a Pixel 6 or newer Pixel Phone then just go to your Google Assistant and Enable Quick Phrases on Google Assistant, which simplifies the interaction for things like incoming calls, alarms, and timers, instead of typing on keyboards. And makes your life a little more efficient without saying “Hey Google”.

DISCOVER: Smart Home Automation Ideas You’ll Love

How Quick Phrases On Google Assistant are Helpful

Until now, whenever you wanted the help of Google Assistant, you had to say “Hey Google” or “OK Google” at the start. Like “Hey Google, Set an alarm for 8:00 am” or “Okay Google, shut down my smart home.” But now you don’t need to say “Hey Google” all the time because of this time-saving feature of Google Assistant. With quick phrases, asking Google for help just got easier than ever while also staying secure. Setting an alarm, turning lights off and on, adjusting the smart thermostat temperature, changing the mood lighting in your bedroom, or setting a timer all become a little bit easier.

Suppose, if you are washing your hands or doing some kitchen work and you have a phone call then you can simply say “Answer” or also “Decline”. It’s that easy. Or you can also say “Silence” to silence your ringer. You can thank quick phrases for such an efficient feature.

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How to Enable Quick Phrases on Google Assistant

Enabling quick phrases on Google Assistant is super slick and super easy. Here’s how…

Simply open the Google Home App.
At the top right corner, here you’ll see your Account, tap it.
Go to Settings.
And then click on Assistant Settings and tap Quick Phrases.
Just scroll Quick Phrases and tap Add + the quick phrases which you want.

Quick Tip: I would start with adding 3-5 quick phrases just to get used to the process. From there once you feel comfortable, begin adding more quick phrases to your regimen. I’d also start with the ones you use the most. If there’s some obscure Google Assistant command that you hardly use, I wouldn’t add it yet.

Using Quick Phrases

Once you have the phrases you want set up, you don’t need to say “Ok Google”. Simply say the phrase to your Google Assistant to use a quick phrase you’ve added. For example, if you want to set a timer using quick phrases, then say: “Set a timer for 10 minutes”.

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Or if you want to stop the alarm then you don’t need to tap the stop button. You can easily say: “Stop” or “Stop the Alarm”. That means you can say it naturally and can add specific details to it, these are acceptable phrases. You can turn on voice match so that these quick phrases are only accessible only to you.

Some Quick Phrases examples to use:

1. “Turn on the kitchen lights”.

2. “Set an alarm for 7:00 am”.

3. “Shut down the Bat Cave.”

4. “Set a remind for ____”

5. “Create a calendar event for ____”

How To Set up Philips Hue Without Bridge

by Staff | Jan 2, 2023 | Smart Home, Tech Living

Philips Hue is a smart lighting system that uses your existing wireless network. It has WiFi light bulbs, LED lights, and a bridge that connects them to the network. It’s innovative, but the setup can be complicated especially for newbies to the smart home ecosystem.

We wanted to dive a little bit into the process to set up Philips Hue without Bridge; to simplify it because we’ve seen a handful of users complain about the difficulty of using Philips smart bulbs without the bridge. Certain options (if you know what you’re looking for), such as Bluetooth or Dimmer Switch, can help you complete the Philips Hue Smart lighting setup without a bridge.

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Philips Hue Bluetooth Bulbs

Philips Hue Bluetooth bulbs are a great addition to any room. With these bulbs, you can forgo the option of not needing to use the Hub at all and just use the Bluetooth connection to sync the bulbs. I’m not the biggest fans of hubs. I’ll use them where I absolutely have to, but leveraging Bluetooth for connectivity is simple and effective. Previously, the Philips BT App used this feature, but now the Bluetooth feature is also included in the Hue app.

Although Philips Bluetooth is a great feature, it has a few limitations. For example, you’re limited to using only 10 bulbs without any provided remote control by the company. Not a deal-breaker, but if you want to go nuts and really light your smart home this might cause some frustration. Third-party app integrations are not supported for integration. Also, the connection is a bit weak for creating large groups of bulbs at the farthest ends of a house. With this option, the grouping wouldn’t be available with these bulbs either. However, technically, one can create groups within a room, so there is a slight workaround in that regard. This can give you free rein over the aesthetics and dynamics of the room. Overall, the Philips Hue bulb is a great addition to any house and the Google Seamless setup can be integrated to make them work without using a Hue bridge.

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Using A Hue Dimmer Switch

The Hue Dimmer Switch controls the Hue Bulb when you buy the two together. What’s nice is you don’t have to go through the hustle of connecting the two because they are linked together. The dimmer switch operates via a battery.

You can put the bulb in the socket and turn it on with the dimmer switch. Super easy. The switch allows turning the bulb on or off and controlling the intensity of light. It does not control the change of the light color in the bulb. For that, you’ll have to use the hue bridge. I wish (if you make dimmer switches here’s one of my free tips for innovation) these switches were multi-dimensional, which would give you the option of controlling the intensity of light along with the color (at least warm vs soft light which shouldn’t be that difficult to program).

A dimmer switch works like the switch of a light bulb and it supports up to 10 bulbs. It comes with a connected LED light which is synced with the bulb to confirm the establishment of a connection between the two. It is one of the easiest ways to set up Philips hue lights without a bridge. For the extreme novice user of these smart bulbs, it’s the route I’d recommend.

Philip Setup With Amazon Echo Hub

Philips Hue Bulbs are supported by a feature that allows one to use Zigbee smart home hubs supported by Zigbee standards. You can use Hue bulbs after completing the setup of Amazon’s Echo speaker models.

Echo speakers, such as the Amazon Echo Plus, Amazon Echo Show 10 (not first-gen), (4th-gen) Echo, and Echo Studio can be used as Zigbee hubs to support the Philip setup without a bridge. After using Echo speakers, use the Alexa app to search for the hue bulb. Once the device is detected, the next part is adding the hue bulb by using the plus button on the interface of your screen.

Custom scenes cannot be created (as of the date this was published), but you can group smart lights of different brands with the Amazon Echo hub option. For controlling the light, Alexa can be used to control all the features of light by using your voice or entering the instructions on Alexa.

Using An Ikea Trådfri Gateway As A Hub

The Ikea Tradfri gateway plugs directly into an outlet and controls the communication between your phone and the bulbs. The smart bulbs are already installed by you, and you have to connect the Ikea Tradfri gateway directly to the router.

After this, it starts working. The semi-simple process is to hold and press the button for ten seconds within approximately two centimeters of the router. After releasing the button, the light will blink, confirming that the hue light has been added. The Ikea Tradfri system is great because it saves the person from the hustle of plugging two hubs into the router.

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However, there are certain limitations, such as you can’t enjoy scheduling, geolocating, and color cycling options that otherwise you could enjoy with a hue bridge. But, the Ikea Tradfri gateway is a great option to be used as an alternative to Philip’s set-up with a hue bridge.

To Bridge Or Not To Bridge

There are a lot of reasons why I like the option to use the bridge and there are some reasons I’d opt out. Chief among them, the Philips Hue bridge makes it easy to control all of your Philips smart bulbs from one central location. Whether that’s your smartphone, tablet, or computer…it doesn’t matter. With the bridge, you can easily turn lights on or off, dim or brighten them, and even change their color. You can also create custom lighting scenes for different occasions, so your home always has the perfect ambiance. You truly unlock the technology’s potential by using it. On the flip side, setting up your Philips smart bulbs with Amazon Alexa is really easy and if you have your smart home ecosystem integrated already with Alexa, it’s a no-brainer.

What I love about the innovation and evolution of technology (smart home technology included) is the improvements being made to fit the end user. Gone are the days when a person would have to stick to one process of setting up a lighting system. Nowadays, there are alternatives and options, which I’m a big fan of.

How to Make Calls on Your Google Smart Speaker

by Staff | Dec 19, 2022 | Smart Home, Tech Living

Google Home App has introduced a very useful feature that allows users to make calls to all their contacts rather effortlessly. What’s nice is this added feature lets a person set up a Google Home App and then use its modified features to make calls from smart speakers to businesses or personal contacts. If the technology was completely synced with all of your smart devices (smart watch, smartphone, wireless earbuds), I could see how this would be a major component for your smart home. But some of these wishes just aren’t there yet. And to be honest…despite what you might think, the process of setting this up is quite simple. You just have to make sure you have the latest software version and follow the steps to make calls through Google conveniently.

Setting Up Calls On Google Home

The first step in making calls to your desired (business or personal) contacts is to configure the prerequisite settings on the device.
To make a call to your Google contacts, you must go to Settings. In the settings, you have to tap on the “more settings” feature.
Locate the tab named Devices
Here, you have to add the desired contact by selecting a speaker of your choice.
While doing so, you must ensure that your personal results toggle is turned on.

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Syncing Your Contacts

The process of syncing the contacts on Android or iOS works differently.

For Android

You have to go to Google Home App.
In the Google Home app, select manage your Google account.
In the Google Account, there is a feature named People and Sharing.
In this feature, tap on contact info from your devices, and simply turn on save contacts from your signed-in devices.

For iOS

Go to the Google Home app and tap on settings.
In settings, hit the more settings tab and select voice and video calls from the services tab.
Here, select the Mobile Calling tab that appears, and turn on the ‘Contacts uploading’ tab.
After that, a pop-up will appear asking for permission. If permission is granted, the contacts will successfully be synced.

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Add Or Hide Your Number:

In the Google Home app, you can hide your number and appear as a private caller or with your identity.

Click on the Settings tab, tap more settings, and select Services.
In Services, tap on Voice and Video Calls and Mobile Calling to change your name from Private to your name.
You will be asked to confirm the action via an SMS.
Once the technical formalities are done, your number is added to the selected name.

Making Phone Calls On Google Home:

To make a call to your desired contact, you will have to say, ‘Hey, Google, call (contact)’. From here, there are two possibilities:

If you want to call any popular business, you just have to mention the name of that business. Google can automatically take you to the phone line of the business.
If you want to call any personal contact, you have to say the number out loud for Google to connect to the caller. The person you call doesn’t have to go through any prerequisites to receive the call.

How To End A Call?

Voice commands such as, “Hey Google, stop/disconnect/hang up/end the call” can be used to end the call. But Google provides users with other options as well.

The other options include Google Nest Hub, Hub Max, and Google Nest Mini.

In Google Nest Hub, a button on the screen allows you to decide on your calls (answer/decline/hang).
In Google Nest Mini, one can tap the speaker’s top to answer or hold a finger down to decline the call.
Additionally, if you have a Google Home Max, you may answer calls by tapping the line on the top or side of the speaker, depending on how it’s oriented, or by pressing and holding the line.

Setting Up Voice Match For Google Home Calls:

If you have a Google Home App running on your phone, the next step is to train your Google assistant. After that, the assistant will work by recognizing your voice. The only real necessity of this is that your personal accounts must be synced so that it picks the calls and access your contacts based on the settings you have selected.

Bottom Line

Making calls from Google Smart Speaker has enabled people to shift from obsolete ways of calling and bring communication into the future. Previously, Google Assistant helped people in making calls. Now, the Google Home App has made it possible to contact anyone essentially from any part of the world with just an app.

There are a lot of nice things about making phone calls using your smart speaker. In a lot of regards, it is convenient. For example, the Google Home App detects the speaker’s voice once the setup is completed. You have to personalize all the settings to make use of the feature to the fullest. Once everything is set, you just have to say the command, and Google will dial up that call for you.

Now…this isn’t something I use often. Most of the time when I make calls through a smart speaker, it’s when I don’t have my phone or wireless headphones near me. In this regard, this feature is awesome. But having the ability to make a phone call through my wireless buds (connected to my phone) or even through my smartwatch is much more convenient than doing it through one of these smart speakers. Nonetheless, for those that don’t have these smart accessories that pair with their smartphones, making a call through your Google smart speaker definitely has it’s purpose.

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