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BRAINERD, Minn., Dec. 18, 2024 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced more than $313 million in funding to connect rural residents, farmers and business owners in 18 states to reliable high-speed internet.
Projects are being financed by the fifth round of the ReConnect Program and are a central part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda to rebuild the economy.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 18, 2024 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA is making domestic fertilizer production investments in nine states to increase competition, lower fertilizer costs for American farmers and lower food costs for U.S. consumers.
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It’s not too late to shop for some Christmas gifts, and if you’re looking to wow a loved one (or splurge for yourself), this OLED TV from LG is a great option. Best Buy has the 55-inch LG B4 OLED smart TV for $999.99 (originally $1,399.99) after a $400 discount. The deal is also one of the 52 TVs that comes with a $100 Best Buy gift card. This is the best discount this TV has had over the last few months, according to price-tracking tools.
OLEDs are great, but they’re not for everyone. Here’s what this TV offers and how to determine if it’s a good fit for you.
One of the main things you need to know about OLEDs is that they are susceptible to burn-in. If you plan on leaving the TV running for a long period with the same image, like a channel that keeps the logo on the same corner, you run the risk of that image permanently getting burned onto the display. Another thing to keep in mind is that OLEDs don’t get as bright as other TVs, so if you plan on using them in a bright room, your image quality will not be optimal.
Despite those downsides, OLEDs offer some of the highest-quality images available on modern televisions. The B4 OLED just came out this year and has 4K capabilities with 2160p resolution, High Dynamic Range (HRD), 120 Hz refresh rate (which is great for gaming), and webOS smart platform with voice assistant and access to many streaming services.
If you’re looking for a 55-inch OLED TV under $1,000 that will arrive before Christmas, this is the best bang for your buck.
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Christmas is a week away, and that present-ordering deadline is nearly upon us. If you’re looking for a last-minute gift idea for something that will arrive in time to be wrapped, consider the new Beats Pill speaker. It is down to $99.99 (originally $149.95), the lowest price it has been since its recent release, according to price-tracking tools. For less than a hundred dollars, this speaker is a steal.
I’ve been trying out the Beats Pill speaker since it came out in June, and it has everything I would want in a portable speaker: a stereo sound when connected to another compatible speaker, multi-room mode to play the same music on multiple speakers, the Find My Device feature in case you misplace it, and a speakerphone to use it as an extension of your phone.
This Beats speaker is not just for Apple users, since Android users can also connect to the Bluetooth 5.3, but it only supports AAC and SBC codecs, so there is no Android-friendly codec options that will make the audio pop out. Apple users will get the most out of the Pill, with seamless iOS compatibility for a much smoother experience. In other words, the speaker will automatically show up as a pair option on iPhones while Androids will have to search for it. You can read about it in more detail on PCMag’s “excellent” review.
When it comes to battery life, you can expect around 24 hours per charge depending on your use, which is up there with other speakers of its size. The sound is the classic bright Beats sound signature, offering a balanced yet bass-heavy sound. It is rated IP67 for being dust-proof and waterproof, so it can be submerged for up to 30 minutes. The main con on this speaker is that there is no adjustable EQ on the app, but it already comes with a great sound signature.
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Bose is a recognized name in audio tech and has been making capable active noise-canceling headphones since 2016, when the company launched the QuietComfort line of devices. Right now, you can pick up the 2023 model of Bose’s QuietComfort headphones for $199, $150 off the original price of $349. This is the lowest price they’ve reached, according to price-tracking tools, making them a good bet if you’re looking to get a high-performance pair of headphones without spending a fortune. Bonus: You can get them shipped before Christmas.
Bose headphones are often found at the top of any roundup of the best headphones on the market and have been consistently praised for years. The Bose QuietComfort lineup in particular excels in comfort (hence the name) and ANC. If those are features you’re after, these headphones are worth considering, especially at this price point. (If you’re looking for earbuds, the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds are also at their lowest price right now.)
Keep in mind that this is the lesser model in the current QuietComfort line; Bose released both the Bose QuietComfort and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra last year. The Ultras are more high-end and include extra functionality, but they retail for $100 more and aren’t necessarily the best bet for every user—if you don’t care about Bluetooth 5.3 versus 5.1, immersion mode (which allows you to hear the audio as if it is coming from different directions), or other extraneous features, you can save yourself some money and go with the basic Bose QuietComfort.
These headphones can connect to multiple devices at once, so you can seamlessly transition from one device to the next. They also offer a transparency mode that lets you hear your surroundings while wearing them, a customizable EQ so you can listen to your music how you like it to sound, and an impressive 24 hours of battery life, according to PCMag’s “excellent” review. Also worth noting: They have physical buttons rather than touch controls, which will be a plus or a minus, depending on your preferences.
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I’m an expert at whiling away the hours on a plane. I can distract myself, even in a confined space—reading, watching movies, or thinking thoughts. I can even find pleasure in the tiny bland meal served on an airplane. What I’ve never been good at, though, is in-flight sleep. It doesn’t seem fair that only the folks in lay-flat seats get to enjoy their circadian rhythm uninterrupted, but I was beginning to be resigned to this literal class division, until after hundreds of hours of flying, I’m happy to report that there is finally something that works for me. I tried the Trtl travel pillow, and I won’t do long flights without it again.
Dozing is decidedly not as rejuvenating as actual sleep. My flight naps were often short and half-hearted. Usually 20 minutes would pass before I woke myself up because I open-mouth snored again. Bad sleep is a nuisance even if you occasionally travel, but if you fly internationally often, it can really throw off your travel days. After trying several disappointing inflatable U-shaped travel pillows and countless balled-up jackets and scarves, I was skeptical of the Trtl travel neck pillow. But it was the unusual design that caused me to reconsider.
I got my gray Trtl pillow before taking an eight-hour flight to Copenhagen. It wasn’t bulky and barely weighed a thing; it’s just a bit awkwardly shaped. I wondered where I’d store it because it doesn’t fold or collapse. I could have wrapped it around the handle of my backpack but I’m not much for dangling bits and bobs, so I ended up fitting the curved edge over my packing cube inside my backpack. It was a squeeze, but the backpack zipped up. Done.
After getting situated in my economy window seat, and marveling at how the airline managed to make a Mexican-inspired dish taste like absolutely nothing, I got ready to rack up some Z’s. I took out the Trtl neck support, positioned it off to the side, wrapped the soft, stretchy fleece scarf-part around my neck, and secured the end to the Velcro. It felt pretty good. Though I think the fleece will feel a little hot in the summer, in the current winter chill, it was rather cozy. I tested out the strength of it and decided to tighten up the fleece scarf before closing my eyes.
Not only did I get hours (in a row!) of real sleep, but the fleece wrapped securely under my chin, solving my open-mouth snoring dilemma. I did wake up one time because my noise-cancelling earbuds made me claustrophobic, so I left those out on my return flight where I slept for all five of the hours between meals. The Trtl was comfortable and effective. Plus, as you can see in my fake-sleep selfie, I looked extremely cool (I have a reputation to maintain). Even if you don’t achieve this level of glamour, it’s okay; sleeping isn’t about looks anyway.
The Trtl travel pillow has a different approach than everything else I’ve tried. Instead of something bulky and puffed to rest your head on, this is less a pillow and more a supportive holder for your noggin. It’s basically a thin fleece scarf with a rigid but padded, curved support on one end. You place the bend of the support against your head—or in front, whatever side you’d like to lean toward—wrap the fleece around once like a scarf, and use the Velcro strip to secure the hold. You can see the Velcro is lime green on mine and the Trtl logo has the partner Velco on the back.
The stretchy fleece plays an important role in the support structure. I find the biggest culprit of crappy sleep while sitting up is the head-bob. Anyone who has slept on a bus, subway, or train knows the dreaded head-bob. You start to doze and gravity takes control of your ten-pound head for a split second. You feel the drop and wake up in time to catch your head, just before dozing off again to repeat this drowsy dance. This head drop happens with inflatable travel pillows too; your head can slip off the side and wake you up. The Trtl, however, straps you in, securing your head to the plastic support framework and eliminating any sleep bobbing.
The Trtl travel pillow is on sale right now, and comes in several colors. Even if you don’t fly, this cozy head support can be used on trains, bus rides, or long drives. By the way, there is a Trtl pillow junior (also on sale). Can you imagine if your kids could actually sleep in the backseat on the car ride to your parents’ house next week? I highly recommend grabbing this deal for yourself or anyone on your gift list who travels. The Trtl will change how you holiday.
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As someone who tests smart-home technology, I have a house full of robots and sensors. In fact, there’s always a stack of boxes of things waiting to be tested In my home. Despite my access to all of this fun tech, there are still some items that I’d love to add to my daily routine. If you’re still trying to figure out what to get the tech lover in your life, here are my suggestions.
If you have a Kindle or TikTok habit, you know all too well the hand cramping that comes from having to hold and flip through with your thumb. There is a solution—the scrolling ring. Worn on your finger, you can press the forward, backward or select button on your ring and control your phone or tablet remotely. I have been eyeing one for my late-night TikTok habit; given the way healthcare is going, this $30 solution for future thumb joint issues seems like a wise investment.
Thermal printers have gotten smaller and smaller, and now they can fit in your pocket. Why a thermal printer? They can quickly produce stickers, notes, even temporary tattoos. I like the Notebuddy for its compact shape and easy to replace sticker paper. You connect via Bluetooth from your phone or laptop.
There’s this neck massager that looks like a scarf you stretch around you, and put your arms through. I want one. I can see how the pressure from your arms would help the massager get right up against your neck to really dig in and work out your bound-up muscles.
I’ve been obsessed with this Super Mario Bros. question mark light up brick. It attaches to the wall or wherever else you’d like to stick it, and yes, you can actually punch it, and yes, it will make that deeply satisfying sound effect from the classic game.
My desk is where everything goes—mail, projects, books, gloves and my purse—and so it often needs a cleaning. I love this cordless vacuum cleaner that I can keep nearby and grab as needed to vacuum my keyboard and mousepad if I need to, without needing to clear away pens and cords.
We’ve written quite a bit about why AirTags are useful tools for keeping track of your stuff, from your keys and backpack to your pets and luggage (the location of which you can even share with your airline in the event your bags get lost).
These tiny devices use Bluetooth, UWB (ultra-wideband), and NFC to connect with other devices on Apple’s Find My network to show you the location of your misplaced item. Precision Finding, which works when your AirTag is within the vicinity of your iPhone, uses the Find Nearby feature to direct you to the exact location of your AirTag, which will vibrate and beep as you get closer.
The AirTag 2, which is expected to be released sometime in mid-2025, is reportedly getting an upgrade that will make it even easier to find things you’ve attached to it. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman is reporting that the updated tracker will have triple the range—currently anywhere from to 10 to 30 meters—thanks to the addition of a UWB chip similar to the one Apple added to the iPhone 15 and later. That means you could potentially get the precise location of your belongings from nearly a football field away, directly to your iPhone.
While this makes AirTags more useful in general, it is especially great news for those who tend to misplace items across larger areas (of your home or property, for example) and longer distances, as walls and other environmental factors can impair the performance of Find Nearby.
Nvidia’s GeForce Experience app, the longtime driver downloader, game launcher, and recording tool, is gone, and with its disappearance, some gamers have noticed a sizable hit to their performance. As reported by Tom’s Hardware, GeForce’s successor, the much less excitingly named Nvidia App, comes with a few default settings that can drain performance by up to 15%.
The news started to spread among gaming circles earlier this week, following a Dec. 5 driver update that skipped GeForce Experience in favor of the Nvidia App (all future updates will follow its lead). The new app is meant to streamline the grab bag of features Nvidia has accumulated over the years, pairing its driver updating utility with a streamlined gaming overlay and improved tools for easily optimizing graphics or enabling G-Sync and other advanced settings. However, upon installing it, some gamers noticed their games running a bit more slowly.
“We’ve confirmed reports around the web that the Nvidia App using the default settings can impact gaming performance,” writes Tom’s Hardware’s Jarred Walton, “dropping frame rates by up to 15% in some cases.”
In particular, Walton saw performance drops ranging from 2% to 12% across the games he tested, which included Assassin’s Creed Mirage, Baldur’s Gate 3, Black Myth: Wukong, Flight Simulator 2024, and Stalker 2. While user reports said the issue primarily lies in games developed in Unreal Engine 5, Walton’s biggest loser in performance was actually Assassin’s Creed, which uses a proprietary engine. Meanwhile, his instance of Wukong actually performed the best out of his tests, although still suffered some performance drops.
A potential 15% drop in performance is hefty, and can be enough to make upgrading to a new graphics card seem almost imperceptible. So what’s happening, and can you fix it?
According to continued reporting, the issue doesn’t have anything to do with the engine the game you’re playing is developed in or the app itself, but rather in some of its default settings. In other words, you can have the Nvidia App installed without a performance hit, so long as you adjust it a bit.
Specifically, both Digital Foundry and Hardware Unboxed found that their performance only dropped when the new app’s Nvidia Overlay was toggled on, and in Hardware Unboxed’s case, only with the overlay’s Game Filters and Photo Mode setting enabled. When they turned off the overlay (or that specific setting), their games functioned as well as they did prior to installing the app.
That’s both good and bad news. The overlay, summoned by pressing Alt+Z while playing a game, is where you’ll find the Nvidia App’s most useful features, including game statistics, and the game filter and photo mode option is what allows you to most customize what your graphics card puts out. To clarify, the overlay doesn’t need to be summoned to hurt performance, but just turned on in your settings.
Still, the app being OK to use otherwise does leave you open to continuing to use it to upgrade your graphics card drivers, without having to install them manually.
In a statement to Walton, Nvidia confirmed that the issue is specifically with the Game Filters and Photo Mode setting, and that the company is actively looking into a fix. So while you might not be able to play your games with an RTX HDR filter in the meantime, you’ll be able to use the rest of the app, even the overlay, as you would have before. Walton confirmed that disabling the setting does indeed work and amended his charts accordingly with new testing.
While Nvidia works on a more permanent solution, there are a few steps you can take to keep its new app from hurting your gaming performance.
The simplest solution, and probably the best one for most people, is to follow Nvidia’s official advice and turn off the Game Filters and Photo Mode setting. To do this, just navigate to Settings > Features > Overlay > Game Filters and Photo Mode and toggle it off. If you’re already running a game, you’ll need to relaunch it for the change to take effect.
This will keep you from applying Nvidia’s post-processing effects to your screen (examples include “Letterboxed” and “Colorblind,” in addition to some fancier AI-powered options), as well as from using the Nvidia Photo Mode in supported games. If you’re like me, you won’t miss it, but it’s certainly a notable loss, especially given its accessibility features.
Alternatively, you could turn off the Nvidia Overlay altogether. While Hardware Unboxed said the overlay itself wasn’t contributing to most of his frame drops, he did acknowledge that there could be a “small performance impact” from running the rest of the overlay. That’s not necessarily a surprise, but it’s worth looking into if you never find yourself summoning the overlay. Turning it off will keep you from using it to record or see statistics, but you can do so from Settings > Features > Overlay if so inclined.
Finally, if you’d rather avoid this headache for good, you can still install Nvidia graphics card drivers without an app. Simply navigate to Nvidia’s website, select your graphics card from the dropdown menu, download the appropriate driver, and click on the .exe file you just downloaded. An install wizard will walk you through the rest of the process—just be sure to install “Nvidia Graphics Driver” rather than “Nvidia Graphics Driver and Nvidia App,” or else you’ll end up with the app you’re trying to avoid.
WASHINGTON, December 17, 2024 – Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is announcing the second round of states coming on board as part of its National Milk Testing Strategy (NMTS) that was launched Dec. 6., and which requires that raw (unpasteurized) milk samples nationwide be collected and shared with USDA for testing.
