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I built the Autonomous ErgoChair Ultra 2 in minutes – here’s why this exoskeleton-like chair is so good
10:01 pm | March 21, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro | Comments: Off

The Autonomous ErgoChair Ultra 2 is the most recent chair offering from Autonomous after years of making great chairs.

I have reviewed many of them, including the ErgoChair Pro, ErgoChair Mesh, several desks, and other items from Autonomous. They are known for high-quality gear, rivaling that of Herman Miller and other notoriously fabulous companies. These chairs are created with quality materials, and there is some evident care of quality and performance when designing and building these chairs.

The ErgoChair Ultra 2 is designed for professionals, gamers, remote workers, and everywhere. It's a chair that can seamlessly traverse all the things you may take place at your workstation, just like you do, all while looking great and feeling comfortable. How does it compare to the best office chairs we've reviewed? I took it for a test run to find out.

Autonomous ErgoChair Ultra 2 during our review

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)

Autonomous ErgoChair Ultra 2: Price and Availability

The Autonomous ErgoChair Ultra 2 is available on the Autonomous website for $599 - discounted to $499 at time of review - and includes a 5-year warranty. You can check it out by clicking here.

The company offers offer the chair in two variants, one with the headrest and one without. They also offer the chair in two colorways, black and grey.

Autonomous ErgoChair Ultra 2 during our review

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)

Autonomous ErgoChair Ultra 2: Unboxing & first impressions

When the chair was delivered, I ran upstairs to find a massive box on my front porch. Upon unboxing the chair, I realized this was partly because Autonomous sends the chair with the armrests already attached.

While this made the box a bit bigger, it also made the building experience much faster overall. All I needed to do was screw in four bolts and four screws, which took a matter of minutes.

Right away, the striking white exoskeleton caught my attention. It's sharp, distinct-looking, and beautiful while staying professional-looking.

Autonomous ErgoChair Ultra 2 assembled in my home office

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)

Autonomous ErgoChair Ultra 2: Design & build quality

Specs

Materials: Exoskeleton frame, mesh back, high-density foam seat.
Weight Capacity: Up to 320 lbs.
Seat Depth: Great thigh support for extended sitting.
Base: Metal for extra durability.
Adjustments:
• Seat height & depth.
• Tension adjustment for recline control.
• Armrest height, depth, and angle.
Headrest: Optional (I skipped it because it looks cooler without it).

The ErgoChair Ultra 2 is the flagship offering from Autonomous, which has three current chairs. It's got all the best features, the best design (if you ask me), and arguably the most comfortable.

I chose the grey colorway to get the brilliant matte white exoskeleton contrasting the black mesh back. This mesh back helps with breathability as well as comfort. Unlike leather or cloth, mesh enables you to stay calm even on warmer days, or if you run warm like I do, it helps with circulation and keeps you from overheating due to your chair.

Autonomous ErgoChair Ultra 2 in my home office

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)

Autonomous ErgoChair Ultra 2: In use

Not only did the Autonomous ErgoChair Ultra 2 not take long to build, but it also didn't take long to love it. I took two minutes to adjust it to my preferred settings, lengthening the thigh depth, setting the seat height, tightening the tension (my preferred), and changing the armrests to be the right height. Once I got this dialed in, I could complete a day without discomfort or desire to change chairs. The mesh back is super comfortable for my back, the seat is soft yet supportive, and the tension is perfect for when I want to lean back compared to when I don't want to, and I like that resistance.

It's been several weeks since I had this chair in my rotation, and I have not felt the need to change the tension or any other settings after that initial setup. During this time, I also loved seeing the exoskeleton design. I work with many chairs, and to the average person, they all look the same. The ErgoChair Ultra 2 has that striking and identifiable back, which helps it stand out - in a good way.

If you're working from home, having a good workspace can be a game changer for your work. I'm not saying you need to drop thousands on outfitting the dream home office, but having a nice chair that won't hurt your back, promote slouching, or make you want to get up in discomfort can be the difference between actually getting work done and wishing you could. Granted, a good chair doesn't automatically make your job more efficient, but I can say from experience that if I have a great chair, I want to spend time at my desk.

Autonomous ErgoChair Ultra 2 casters up-close

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)

Autonomous ErgoChair Ultra 2: Final verdict

The Autonomous ErgoChair Ultra 2 is a near-perfect chair for your home workspace, the office, or anywhere between. It offers fantastic, all-day comfort while looking great and blending in various workspaces. Yes, the design is a bit more modern than other ergonomic chairs, but if you want one that looks the part and blends in, you can choose the black colorway, which has everything all-black.


Here’s a free way to find long lost relatives and friends
5:43 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro Software & Services | Comments: Off

Personal information is often scattered across numerous platforms in today's digital landscape.

PeekYou aims to serve as a comprehensive people search engine that consolidates an individual’s online presence into a single, accessible profile. This review will explore PeekYou's features, assessing its functionality, accuracy, and the ethical implications of its data aggregation practices.

As social media footprints grow and online identities become increasingly complex, services like PeekYou raise important questions about privacy and access to personal data. We will evaluate whether PeekYou fulfills its promise of providing a unified view of an individual’s digital presence, consider the potential benefits and drawbacks of using the service, and ultimately determine its value in the ever-changing landscape of online information retrieval.

Plans and pricing

PeekYou primarily operates as a free people search engine, setting itself apart from many competitors that rely on subscription-based models for detailed information. This means users can typically access a significant amount of information, including aggregated social media profiles, web mentions, and publicly available data, without any direct costs.

However, PeekYou does offer additional services, such as reputation management tools and professional data solutions, which may involve fees or customized pricing. Since PeekYou focuses on aggregating already public information, it does not employ the same "pay for more" structure found in other people search websites.

It's important to note that PeekYou emphasizes online presence rather than conducting deep background checks. As a result, its monetization strategy differs from those that sell comprehensive reports. For the most precise and up-to-date information regarding any potential paid services, it's best to visit PeekYou's official website.

How it works

PeekYou aggregates publicly available information from a variety of online sources. Unlike traditional people search engines that primarily rely on public records, PeekYou focuses on compiling an individual's digital footprint. It crawls and indexes data from social media platforms, websites, blogs, forums, and other online repositories where personal information may be found.

When a user performs a search on PeekYou, the platform creates a profile that links various online presences associated with the searched name. This profile may include social media accounts, photos, videos, web mentions, and other content that has been publicly shared. The platform employs algorithms to identify and connect related data, aiming to provide a comprehensive overview of an individual's online presence. Since the information is gathered from public sources, PeekYou does not have a paywall for its main people search function.

Features

PeekYou stands out with its unique features that focus on aggregating an individual's online presence. Its main function is to create a comprehensive digital footprint by indexing publicly available information from various online sources, including social media platforms, websites, blogs, and forums.

One of its key features is the ability to generate detailed profiles that connect different online identities related to a searched name, offering a consolidated view of an individual's activities across the internet. Unlike many competitors, PeekYou provides its core search functionality for free, relying on the aggregation of already public information. This allows users to access a significant amount of data without needing a paid subscription.

Moreover, PeekYou goes beyond basic contact information to explore a person's broader online identity, including photos, videos, web mentions, and social media interactions. While it offers additional services for reputation management and professional data solutions, its main appeal lies in its capacity to synthesize a person's digital footprint into a single, accessible profile.

Interface

PeekYou's interface is designed to provide a visually rich and information-packed profile of individuals, reflecting its focus on aggregating online presence. When users conduct a search, they are typically presented with a results page that features profile pictures and summaries of potential matches, offering a quick visual overview.

By clicking on a profile, users are taken to a page that compiles the individual's publicly available online information. This page often includes links to social media accounts, photos, videos, and other web mentions, creating a consolidated view of their digital footprint. Although the interface aims to be comprehensive, the large volume of information can sometimes feel overwhelming. Nevertheless, the layout is generally well-organized, allowing users to navigate between different sections of the profile easily.

The visual presentation of profile pictures and social media icons contributes to a more engaging experience compared to text-heavy people search engines. The interface emphasizes displaying the connections between various online presences, which is central to PeekYou's functionality.

The competition

PeekYou operates in a competitive data aggregation and people search industry. Its competitors include companies that specialize in sales intelligence and marketing data, as well as those focused on identity verification and general people search. Notable competitors include ZoomInfo, Versium, and others.

Final verdict

PeekYou is a platform designed to help users find and connect with people, verify identities, and gather information. Its extensive database can uncover details that are often not easily accessible through standard search engines. This can be particularly useful for reconnecting with lost contacts, conducting background checks, or verifying online identities.

However, there are some drawbacks to using PeekYou. The accuracy of the information can vary, as it relies on publicly available data that may be outdated or incorrect. Privacy concerns also pose a significant issue, as the platform compiles and displays personal information that individuals may prefer to keep private.

Additionally, search results can sometimes be overwhelming, requiring users to sift through large amounts of data to find relevant information. PeekYou is most beneficial for individuals or professionals who need to conduct detailed people searches, such as recruiters, investigators, or those looking to reconnect with long-lost acquaintances. However, users should remain aware of the potential privacy implications and the importance of verifying the information they find.

Check out our pick of the best free people search finder service

This people search finder covers all the bases, but it’s not perfect
5:42 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro Software & Services | Comments: Off

In an era where online information is readily accessible and increasingly scrutinized, search engines have become standard tools for various purposes, ranging from reconnecting with lost contacts to conducting background checks.

ZabaSearch, a long-standing player in this field, claims to provide access to many public records, including contact details, addresses, and other personal information.

This review will examine ZabaSearch's functionality and effectiveness, focusing on its usability, accuracy, and ethical considerations related to its data aggregation practices. We will explore whether ZabaSearch fulfills its promises, assess the potential benefits and drawbacks of using the service, and ultimately determine if it is a reliable resource in the complex landscape of online people search platforms.

Plans and pricing

ZabaSearch operates on a “freemium” model, providing some basic information for free, such as names, ages, and addresses. However, access to more detailed information, including phone numbers and comprehensive reports, requires a paid subscription. Monthly plans start at approximately $25 for unlimited reports.

How it works

ZabaSearch is a comprehensive online platform that aggregates publicly available information from a diverse array of legal sources. These sources predominantly include official public records, such as phone directories, property records, voter registration lists, court records, and various other accessible databases. By tapping into these resources, ZabaSearch aims to facilitate user searches by consolidating pertinent information in one location.

When users initiate a search on ZabaSearch, the platform employs sophisticated algorithms to scan its extensive database for matching entries. It efficiently cross-references the inputted search criteria—such as names, locations, or phone numbers—against its compiled records. The result is a user-friendly summary that may include various details such as names, addresses, approximate ages, and in some cases, associated individuals.

While the platform provides access to basic information at no charge, more granular data often necessitates a paid subscription. This premium content can include sensitive details like unlisted phone numbers, detailed background checks, criminal history reports, and additional personal data that may be relevant for more thorough investigations.

It is critical for users to understand that the accuracy and reliability of the information offered by ZabaSearch are heavily contingent on the source material from which it derives its data. Public records vary in their accuracy, completeness, and timeliness. Therefore, while ZabaSearch can be a valuable tool for gathering initial information, users should exercise caution and verify the results through additional research or official channels when necessary.

Features

ZabaSearch is primarily a people search engine that aggregates publicly available information about individuals. Its main function allows users to find contact details, mainly addresses and occasionally phone numbers, by entering a name. A significant aspect of ZabaSearch is its "freemium" model; it provides basic information like names, ages, and addresses for free, while more detailed data—such as unlisted phone numbers or background reports—requires a subscription.

The platform indexes a wide variety of public records, including phone directories, property records, and voter registration lists, with the goal of offering a comprehensive overview of an individual's publicly accessible information. The interface is relatively straightforward, making it easy for users to conduct searches. However, the accuracy of the search results depends heavily on the currency of the underlying source data. In summary, ZabaSearch's key features include basic people searches, a freemium access model, aggregation of public records, and varying levels of detail based on subscription status.

The competition

ZabaSearch operates in a competitive landscape of online people search engines, facing direct competition from several established players. Its main competitors include platforms like WhitePages, which provides similar services for finding contact information and background details. Other notable competitors are AnyWho, known for its people search and reverse phone lookup capabilities, and Intelius, which offers more extensive background check services.

Additionally, websites like PeekYou and PeopleFinders compete in this space, providing various levels of information aggregation and search functionalities. These platforms all compete for users by offering access to public records, contact details, and background information, though they differ in their pricing models, data accuracy, and the comprehensiveness of their databases. The competition is intense, prompting these services to continuously update their data and address user privacy concerns.

Interface

ZabaSearch offers a straightforward and user-friendly interface that makes navigation easy. The homepage prominently features a search bar where users can enter a name, city, and state to begin their search. Results are displayed in a clear list format, providing basic information such as names, ages, and addresses.

The design prioritizes simplicity by avoiding complex graphics and menus, making it accessible for users with varying levels of technical skill. Although the layout is functional, it may seem outdated compared to more modern websites. The site primarily focuses on delivering search results quickly and efficiently rather than prioritizing elaborate visual aesthetics.

The overall layout allows users to scan results, helping them quickly identify potential matches. However, this simplicity may also mean that advanced filtering or sorting options are limited.

Final verdict

In conclusion, ZabaSearch has both advantages and limitations. On the positive side, its "freemium" model allows users to access basic information without any immediate cost, and it aggregates public records, which can be helpful for locating individuals or verifying addresses. However, the accuracy of the information provided depends on the quality of the source data, which can sometimes be outdated or incomplete. Additionally, the need for a paid subscription to access detailed information raises concerns about accessibility and value.

The ethical implications of having personal data readily available cannot be overlooked, as privacy remains a significant issue. While ZabaSearch can be a useful tool for certain purposes, users should tread carefully, being aware of the potential for inaccuracies and carefully considering the privacy implications before using its services. Overall, ZabaSearch offers a functional, but not flawless, service within the competitive landscape of online people search engines, and users should exercise discernment when interpreting its results.

Take a look at the best free people search finder service

I reviewed the Autonomous SmartDesk 5 and now I’m wondering if this be the perfect desk for minimalistic desk lovers
5:02 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro | Tags: | Comments: Off

The Autonomous SmartDesk 5 is a beautiful desk. It's sleek and modern and has been purposefully designed to appeal to the creative and "sleek-tech-loving" markets. On the purchasing page, Autonomous touts that many big-tech employees have purchased this desk from Google, Microsoft, Meta, Apple, and more.

Over the last several years, the concept of something being "what Apple would do" has been a common way to describe things. Apple has a distinguished way of designing simplistic and minimalistic beauty in their products. I see Apple or Google releasing this desk. It's clean, well-designed, minimal, smooth, elegant and beautiful, and in this regard, it's one of the best standing desks I've tested.

Autonomous | Smart Desk 5

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)

Autonomous SmartDesk 5: Price and Availability

The Autonomous SmartDesk 5 is sold for $599 through the Autonomous website by clicking here, and through selected retailers. They have bulk discounts if you're buying for the office, and they have two height options. Three colorway options allow you to pick the best color for your space.

Autonomous | Smart Desk 5

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)

Autonomous SmartDesk 5: Unboxing & first impressions

The packaging for the Autonomous SmartDesk 5 is well-organized and very secure. All parts arrived in excellent condition without a scratch or a dent in the pieces. In one box, I got the desktop itself; in another, I got the legs, feet, and other accessories.

Right off the bat, I loved how smooth the desktop texture was and how simple the setup was. All the necessary parts were in the box, though I used my electric screwdriver set to speed things up.

Once everything was put together, I quickly grabbed a mouse to check just how great the tracking was since this is something that Autonomous heavily promotes. The mouse on the desk's surface was accurate, responsive, and uncomfortable. Granted, I still prefer the feel of a deskpad, but that may be due to familiarity. I tried out an Apple Magic Mouse, a Logitech MX Master 3, a Logitech MX Anywhere, a mouse from ProtoArc, and even a Dell mouse. All of them tracked well on the surface of the Smart Desk 5.

Autonomous | Smart Desk 5

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)

I'm happy to see C-shaped legs on this desk. I've tried a lot of different desk leg types, and for most people, C-shaped is the way to go. It helps get the legs out of the way of your... well, legs... and pushes them back so you won't knock your knees while twisting around in your fancy ergonomic chair.

Another thing that I loved was the cable management. I'm used to having this be a feature or add-on that I must assemble or figure out independently. There are some offerings from Ergonofis, and I have come to love some more from Flexispot, but they have frequently been add-ons. With the Smart Desk 5, though, it's built-in. There is a nice drop-down that tucks things away nicely. However, I had to add another power strip on the back right of the desk because my desks usually need more than four outlets, but hey, that's just me. You could run a simpler desk. I would like to have mine ready for anything and serve multiple purposes.

The last thing I'll mention on first impressions is the control surface. This reminds me of the Beflo Tenon or several others moving to this surface-mounted control panel. While these are super nice not to hit your chair on, using the desk is a very different experience. For example, if you are someone who uses a desk pad, now you need to keep an eye out for not hitting this pad, or if you rest your arms on the desk, lean on the desk, or put things on your desk other than work, all of those are scenarios in which you need to watch out, but all in all, it's not a bad thing at all.

Autonomous | Smart Desk 5

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)

Autonomous SmartDesk 5: Design & build quality

Specs

Dimensions: 53”L x 29”W x 1.2”H
Frame Type: C-frame design
Motor Type: Dual motors
Height Range: Adjustable from 24" to 50"
Weight Capacity: Up to 330 lbs
Surface Material: High-density fiberboard (HDF) with smooth-touch finish
Color Options: Meteor Grey, Titanium White, Stone Desert
Control Panel: Integrated touchscreen
Cable Management: Built-in system with power outlets

The Autonomous Smart Desk 5 is made of a 1.2-inch HDF material on the desk, with a C-shaped frame, legs, rounded edges, and three modern colorways. In addition to these high-quality materials, Autonomous includes bag hooks, a touchscreen built into the top of the desk, and fantastic cable management, helping the design feel streamlined and minimal while staying highly functional and beautiful.

Autonomous | Smart Desk 5

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)

Autonomous SmartDesk 5: In use

I've had this desk in rotation for a while now, and it's been great so far. There have been a few instances where the touchscreen takes a second to respond, but other than that, this desk is terrific. As you can see in the photos, I have it set up with a single BenQ RD320UA monitor, the Grovemade Studio Pad and vertical laptop holder, the Logitech MX Master 3, the SM3 Slim Mechanical Backlit Bluetooth Keyboard, a cheap desk shelf off Amazon and a few other accessories.

I wanted to create a relaxing yet multi-functional workspace for one of my team members, and the SmartDesk 5 is the perfect candidate. It's decent, not too big or small, and the material is gorgeous in most locations. I've had this desk set up in a couple of different places to test it out, and in all of them, this grey looked stunning.

As I mentioned, the touch control can be slow to respond sometimes. Regardless, having the three-height presets has been great. I could set this desk at an excellent sitting height, a great "working on something height," and a wonderful "standing and working" height. Sadly, I wish to move the studio pad down a hair more, but it stops at the top of the built-in keypad. However, this is not the end of the world.

While the materials used, the great size, the smooth mechanics, the sleek top, and the rounded edges are all great, the actual great feature of this desk is the cable management. As I mentioned, it's not only great but easily expandable. I added a power strip (admittedly, one I had from FlexiSpot) to the back right of the desk to give me some more outlets since I knew this would be a powerful, multi-use desk. Other than that, having the drop-down for quickly accessing and adjusting, having the spot to wrap cables, and having it all lift and tuck away is beautiful, and I hope other desk companies are taking note.

Autonomous | Smart Desk 5

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)

Autonomous SmartDesk 5: Final verdict

As a desk for the masses, the SmartDesk 5 delivers. It's an all-around excellent desk; it's beautiful, sleek, smart (heh, SmartDesk), functional, and durable. It's built for professionals, though it could be used by gamers, home officers, creatives, or anyone looking for a quality desk.


I like this reverse image search service the most
1:57 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro Software & Services | Comments: Off

In an era where images are widely shared and the origins of visual content are often unclear, TinEye stands out as a crucial tool for reverse image searching.

Unlike traditional search engines that depend on keywords, TinEye uses image recognition technology to track where an image appears online, allowing users to discover its history and any potential copyright infringements.

This review examines TinEye’s features, highlighting its strengths and weaknesses while evaluating its effectiveness for different users, such as photographers and designers looking to protect their work and researchers and journalists verifying image authenticity. We will explore how this powerful tool navigates the vast internet, uncovering the stories behind the pixels and revealing the hidden connections within the visual web.

Plans and pricing

TinEye primarily offers its reverse image search technology through a free, public website. Users can upload an image or provide an image URL to find where that image has appeared online. This free service has certain usage limitations to prevent abuse.

For more extensive and professional use, TinEye also provides paid API plans designed for businesses and developers. These plans allow for higher search volumes, batch processing capabilities, and integration options for various applications. The pricing for these API plans is based on the number of image searches required each month and includes tiered options to accommodate different usage levels. Specific pricing details are available on TinEye's website, and they often offer customized plans for enterprise clients with unique needs.

How it works

TinEye creates a unique digital fingerprint for each image it indexes rather than relying on keywords or metadata. When a user uploads an image or provides a URL, TinEye compares that image’s fingerprint to its extensive indexed image database. If a match is found, it displays a list of websites where the image appears, details about its size, and any modifications made. This process enables users to trace the origins of an image, find higher-resolution versions, or identify potential copyright infringements.

Importantly, TinEye does not conduct traditional image searches based on visual similarity; instead, it searches for exact or nearly exact matches based on the image’s unique fingerprint. This approach makes it particularly effective for locating duplicate photos, even if they have been resized, cropped, or altered.

Features

TinEye's primary feature is its reverse image search capability, enabling users to find where an image appears online. This includes locating exact or nearly identical matches, even if the image has been resized, cropped, or slightly edited.

In addition to basic searches, TinEye provides features that allow users to find higher-resolution versions of an image, trace its origin to identify the source and detect potentially infringing uses of copyrighted material. Users can sort search results by criteria such as best match, largest image, newest, or oldest.

TinEye also offers an API that allows developers to integrate reverse image search functionality into their applications, facilitating automated image tracking and analysis. Furthermore, browser extensions are available for quick and easy image searches directly from web pages.

The platform maintains a continuously growing indexed image database, enhancing the accuracy and range of search results. Lastly, their MatchEngine API allows users to compare any two images to determine their similarity, even if they are not exact copies.

Interface

TinEye's interface is designed for simplicity and functionality, making it user-friendly. The main website features a clean and uncluttered layout, highlighted by a prominent upload button and a URL input field for starting searches. This straightforward design lets users conduct reverse image searches quickly without navigating through complex menus or options.

Search results are displayed clearly and organized, showcasing thumbnails of matching images and links to the corresponding web pages. Users can quickly sort and filter results based on various criteria, such as image size and date, which enhances the search experience. Additionally, TinEye offers browser extensions that integrate seamlessly with popular web browsers, allowing users to perform reverse image searches with just one click.

While the interface prioritizes functionality over elaborate aesthetics, it ensures a smooth and intuitive user experience for novice and experienced users.

The competition

TinEye faces competition from various players in the image recognition and reverse image search market. Notably, major tech companies like Google offer powerful image analysis capabilities with its Google Lens and Google Cloud Vision AI. These platforms utilize advanced machine learning to provide comprehensive image understanding, including object detection, text recognition, and similar image searches.

Additionally, specialized companies such as Lenso.ai are emerging, focusing on AI-driven reverse image search with enhanced accuracy and efficiency. Further competition comes from companies prioritizing image protection and watermarking, like Imatag, which provides services for tracking online visual content.

General search engines also contribute to the competition, offering reverse image search capabilities through tools available on platforms like Yandex and Bing. Furthermore, several other companies provide APIs for image recognition that can deliver results similar to those of TinEye.

Final verdict

TinEye specializes in reverse image search, which makes it highly effective at finding exact or modified matches of images online. This tool is helpful for verifying authenticity, tracking image usage, and identifying original sources.

One of TinEye's significant advantages is its extensive image database. However, it does not offer general visual searches or object recognition like Google Lens. Additionally, TinEye may struggle with highly modified or low-resolution images.

Typical users of TinEye include copyright holders, journalists, researchers, e-commerce sellers, and artists who want to track the online usage of their work.

You might like our picks of the best free photo editor around

Is That’s Them worth it? My honest review
1:08 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro Software & Services | Comments: Off

That's Them is a people search engine that compiles publicly available data, creating detailed profiles of individuals.

However, its operations raise significant privacy concerns, so this article will explore how That's Them works, the types of information it collects, the sources of its data, and the potential implications for users.

We will analyze the platform's ability to aggregate personal details, including addresses, phone numbers, relatives, and other sensitive information.

Additionally, the article will assess the accuracy of the data provided and the challenges individuals face when trying to remove their information from the site.

Lastly, we will address the ethical considerations surrounding such services and discuss steps individuals can take to safeguard their online privacy amid the growing accessibility of personal data.

Plans and pricing

That’s Them primarily focuses on providing free access to aggregated data, distinguishing it from many other people search engines.

Unlike services that require subscriptions or payments for detailed reports, That’s Them allows users to access basic personal information at no cost. This includes details such as names, addresses, and phone numbers.

While they do offer some premium services aimed at businesses - typically involving bulk data access or API integration - the core individual search functionality remains largely free.

This service is supported by advertising and possibly the sale of aggregated data to third parties.

This free model contributes to its widespread use and concerns regarding the accessibility of personal information.

Therefore, although enterprise-level paid options are available, the primary purpose of That’s Them is to provide free access to publicly available information.

How it works

That's Them operates by gathering publicly available data from various online sources. It acts as a data broker, collecting information from public records, social media platforms, online directories, and other accessible databases.

The data it collects includes names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, details about relatives, and even past and present business affiliations.

The service compiles this varied information into individual profiles, making it searchable for anyone who visits the site.

When a user searches for a person on That's Them, the platform queries its database and displays the aggregated information it has collected.

Instead of creating original content, it organizes and presents existing data in one central location.

This process relies heavily on automated data scraping and indexing, enabling the service to gather and organize information quickly.

While this ease of access and aggregation makes the service powerful, it raises concerns about privacy and data use.

Features

That's Them's core feature: its ability to aggregate and present publicly available information about individuals in a centralized and easily searchable format.

Users can search for people using various criteria, such as names, phone numbers, and addresses, making it a versatile tool for casual users and professionals.

The platform compiles available data and displays information, including current and past addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, known relatives, and associated businesses.

This comprehensive approach allows users to build a more detailed profile of an individual, which can be beneficial for various purposes, such as reconnecting with old friends, conducting background checks, or gathering insights for business leads.

A notable aspect of That's Them is the free access to essential information, which sets it apart from many competitors that often require subscription fees or payment for detailed reports.

This accessibility makes it easier for a broader audience to utilize the service without financial barriers. Users can obtain essential details without incurring costs, fostering a more open environment for information gathering.

In addition to individual searches, That's Them offers bulk data access and API integration, making it suitable for businesses that require large-scale data analysis.

This functionality allows users to integrate the collected data into other systems, enhancing their operational capabilities.

For example, marketing professionals can tap into this data for lead generation, while private investigators can utilize it for more thorough investigations.

The user interface is straightforward and designed for ease of use. However, the platform's strength lies in its comprehensive data collection and organization.

It aggregates information from myriad public records, including court filings, property records, and social media accounts, creating a vast repository of information.

However, it’s important to note that the accuracy of the displayed information can vary as it is sourced from diverse public records.

The lack of robust verification processes means that errors may occur, so users should approach the data critically and consider verifying details through other means when necessary. This caveat is essential for ensuring responsible platform usage, especially in sensitive contexts such as background checks or legal inquiries.

The competition

When analyzing the competitive landscape of That's Them, it's important to note that it operates in the people search engine sector.

This means it competes directly with well-established companies that provide similar information retrieval services. Key competitors include:

WhitePages.com: A long-standing leader in offering contact information, addresses, and background details.

AnyWho.com: A prominent platform that provides people search and reverse phone lookup capabilities.

SearchPeopleFree.com: A site that focuses on free people search services.

Additional competitors include sites like Truecaller, and other people search websites.

These competitors share similar functionalities, such as retrieving contact information, addresses, and background details.

The competition in this sector is intense, with companies striving to deliver accurate and comprehensive data while addressing privacy concerns.

The factors that differentiate these services include the depth and accuracy of their databases, user interface, and the availability of free versus paid features.

Final verdict

Whether to use That's Them or any similar people finder service depends on your specific needs and ethical considerations.

These services can be helpful for locating lost contacts, verifying information, or reconnecting with others.

However, it is essential to recognize the significant privacy risks involved, as the information on these sites is often aggregated from public records, which means your own data could be accessible without your explicit consent.

Before using That's Them or a competitor, carefully weigh the potential benefits against the ethical implications and possible misuse of the information.

If you have legitimate reasons for needing to find someone, and you are comfortable with the associated privacy trade-offs, these services may be useful tools.

Always use the information responsibly and respect the privacy of others. If you are concerned about your own information appearing on these sites, consider looking into the opt-out procedures that are typically available.

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I tested the Epos Expand Vision 5 Bundle – read why this video conferencing solution is recommended
11:44 am |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro | Comments: Off

This review first appeared in issue 352 of PC Pro.

SMBs invested in Microsoft Teams and looking to improve their employees’ meeting room experience will find the Epos Expand Vision 5 Bundle a worthy contender. This well-specified room bar solution can swap between Android-powered Microsoft Teams Rooms and bring your own device (BYOD) modes in seconds, while the Expand Control touchscreen tablet provides easy meeting management.

The Vision 5 video bar provides a solid foundation with its combination of a Sony 4K UHD camera and wide 110° horizontal field of view (FoV), dual speakers and quad beamforming MEMS microphones. It employs digital pan, tilt and zoom (PTZ) functions for automated framing and speaker tracking, while noise reduction is handled by its integral Epos AI feature.

An embedded 8-core Qualcomm 800-series Snapdragon CPU plus 4GB of memory look after the certified Microsoft Teams Rooms on Android app. Also certified for Teams Rooms, the Expand Control tablet sports a large 10.1in colour LCD touchscreen and uses its embedded 6-core ARM CPU and 4GB of memory to run the Android OS.

Full view of the Epos Expand Vision 5 Bundle

The Expand Control tablet makes meeting management easy (Image credit: Future)

Setup is a smooth process, but you should first decide whether you want to run your Epos kit as a locally managed system or add it to the free Epos Manager on-premises or cloud service. Larger businesses will prefer Epos Manager as it provides company-wide status views of all their registered Epos devices, along with central management, firmware updates and extensive device and room usage analytics.

The Expand Control tablet requires a network connection with a power over Ethernet (PoE) source. From its onscreen wizard, we used the unique code it generated to assign it to our Microsoft 365 account, where it appeared in our Teams admin interface as a touch console.

After networking the Vision 5 over Ethernet or Wi-Fi 5, you follow the same registration process. Once it appears as a new Teams Rooms on Android device, you pair it with the tablet using the 6-digit code it presents on the camera’s screen. Our Teams admin console showed both devices as online and confirmed that the touch console was paired, after which the tablet shifted all Teams meeting controls from the camera’s screen to its own display.

We had no problems creating and joining Teams meetings using the tablet’s touchscreen, and remote participants thought that the camera’s video quality was excellent. The image is sharply focused and we noted that Epos has improved its backlight compensation feature.

Desktop screenshot of Epos's Expand Vision 5 Bundle's cloud management system

Epos Manager provides cloud management (Image credit: Future)

Tracking worked well, with the camera taking no more than a couple of seconds to locate the active speaker and smoothly follow them as they moved around the meeting room. The twin speakers were found wanting in the bass department, but voices are clear and we found a volume level of 80% was enough to fill our 24m2 meeting room.

During the pairing process all camera controls are ported over to the tablet. The intelligent framing feature can be enabled or disabled, and in manual mode the camera places a video view over its Teams interface so you can use a combination of 4x digital zoom and mechanical pan/tilt to move it to the required position.

A smart feature is the video bar’s ability to swap effortlessly between Teams and USB host modes. The process is automatic as the Vision 5 swapped to host mode when it sensed a USB connection and returned to Teams automatically when we removed the cable.

The Expand Vision 5 Bundle is a great choice for SMBs seeking an affordable Microsoft Teams Rooms solution with seamless BYOD support. Video and audio quality is good, speaker tracking is smooth and the Control tablet makes meeting room management a breeze.

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I tested the Biamp MRB-M-X400-T – read what this meeting room solution is actually like
11:40 am |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro | Comments: Off

This review first appeared in issue 352 of PC Pro.

Biamp recently made a splash in the video bar market with its stunningly good Parlé VBC 2500, but its main focus has always been the professional audio-visual (AV) space. It has a solution for every room size, with the MRB-M-X400-T kit on review providing all the audio components for a medium-sized meeting room with up to 11 participants.

The Biamp kit comprises a TesiraFORTÉ X 400 digital signal processor (DSP) unit, a Tesira AMP-450BP speaker amplifier, a Parlé TTM-X beam tracking table microphone with expansion box, two Desono C-IC6 ceiling speakers and plenty of plenum-rated Cat5e cabling to connect it all together. Biamp has its own range of VC cameras and supplied us with the Vidi 250, which has a 120° field of view (FoV) and digital pan, tilt and zoom (PTZ) functions.

Full view of the Biamp kit

The Biamp kit provides everything you need for a medium-sized meeting room (Image credit: Future)

A full room installation will need to be done by professional fitters, but we had a basic configuration created in the lab in an hour. A handy feature is that power only needs to be supplied to the DSP unit as its four gigabit ports deliver 30W PoE+ services over Cat5e cables to all other components. The low–profile speakers will fit in most drop ceiling spaces and their 130° coverage is designed to accommodate low ceilings. The AMP-450BP amplifier unit can be concealed in the ceiling using the speaker’s “backpack” brackets, and it has four RJ-45 ports so you can add two more speakers.

There’s no need to worry about sound configuration, as Biamp’s Launch process does it all for you. Press the Launch button on the DSP unit and the system measures the meeting room’s acoustics by emitting a series of eerie sounds that reminded us of the 1956 Forbidden Planet sci-fi movie.

Full view of the Biamp MRB-M-X400-T

(Image credit: Future)

The DSP analyses the audio feedback, configures all the components to your environment and presents a Launch report card in its local web interface. The bottom line is that you may need help fitting the kit but you won’t need an audio expert to fine-tune it.

For the full audio/visual meeting experience the simplest solution is to connect the DSP’s USB port to a room PC with a Full HD monitor where the mic and speakers appear as speakerphone devices. Add the Vidi 250 camera to the host as a separate USB device and it will use its integral auto-framing functions.

The camera reacts quickly with delays of no more than three seconds as it tracked speakers moving around our meeting room. Video quality is great, with the camera presenting a sharply focused image and efficient backlight compensation.

The microphone’s beam tracking technology uses four 90° zones to track voices and allow speakers to roam freely but still be heard clearly. In practice, this works extremely well, and the speakers also receive our accolades for their exceptional sound quality, natural-sounding voices and warm bass.

Full view of the Vidi 250 camera

The Vidi 250 camera delivers great video quality (Image credit: Future)

Another scenario is to connect the kit to a UC compute device, and for this Biamp provided Lenovo’s ThinkSmart Core+Control product. Just plug in the DSP and camera to its USB ports, add an external monitor, connect the Control tablet and you’re ready to go.

It runs Windows 10 IoT and we used its setup wizard to select Teams operations (Skype for Business is also supported). After logging into our Microsoft 365 account it appeared as a Teams Rooms on Windows device and we could use the tablet to swiftly schedule and join meetings.

The Biamp MRB-M-X400-T is a great choice for businesses that want to transform their meeting room into a professional conferencing space. All the components are surprisingly easy to deploy, Biamp’s Launch feature provides slick automated room configuration and the Vidi camera delivers great video quality.

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I tried out the Allied Telesis AT-AR4050S-5G – read how this gateway appliance holds up against the competition
11:36 am |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro | Tags: | Comments: Off

This review first appeared in issue 352 of PC Pro.

The AT-AR4050S-5G from Allied Telesis targets SMBs and remote offices seeking a single solution that combines tough network perimeter security with total WAN redundancy. This desktop firewall appliance sports dual 5G SIM slots and offers WAN failover services for businesses that cannot tolerate any internet downtime.

You can add two 5G SIMs, which are automatically configured as primary and backup mobile network connections, and the appliance supports cards from different carriers. You can also use one of the appliance’s wired WAN ports as the primary internet link and back it up with a 5G connection.

The appliance teams up its dual gigabit WAN ports with an eight-port gigabit network switch for LAN systems. It has plenty of power on tap, with its quad-core 1.5GHz CPU claiming a maximum raw firewall throughput of 1.9Gbits/sec, dropping to 750Mbits/sec with the intrusion prevention service (IPS) enabled.

The appliance’s base license enables an SPI firewall with deep packet inspection and includes IPS, web filtering, built-in application controls, bandwidth management and support for IPsec and SSL VPNs. Free central management of five Allied Telesis TQ series of wireless access points is included, with a feature license extending this to 25.

Two optional security licenses are available, but you can only choose one as they can’t be run together. An advanced firewall option activates more extensive application and web controls, while the advanced threat protection version adds tougher IPS and IP reputation services, with each costing £521 per year.

Full view of the Allied Telesis AT-AR4050S-5G

The appliance has two gigabit WAN ports and an eight-port gigabit network switch (Image credit: Future)

Our system came with a Vodafone 5G SIM and we used this as the backup connection with the first gigabit WAN port providing the primary connection. Deployment is simple: the appliance’s browser interface provides a quick-start wizard that runs through choosing the primary WAN connection and assigning a DHCP server to the default LAN subnet.

In dual 5G SIM deployments, you set a failover interval in seconds for the primary SIM and, if it fails, the appliance automatically swaps over to the backup SIM. To test wired WAN redundancy, we removed the network cable but found the backup SIM would only step in after the appliance was rebooted, although we did note that after reconnecting the network cable it reverted back to this without any intervention.

The web console’s widget-based dashboard shows a graphic of the appliance along with tables and graphs for traffic activity, appliance hardware utilization, security service activity and the top applications. A minor complaint is that the graphic only shows active LAN ports and doesn’t highlight which Ethernet WAN ports and SIM slots are active.

Desktop screenshot of the widget-based dashboard

The web console provides a traffic activity overview (Image credit: Future)

The appliance uses entities to define a logical map of the network, which can be zones, networks and clients. Top-level zones describe boundaries such as the WAN, LAN and DMZ, with each containing networks of IP subnets and addresses while clients are individual systems.

These come into play when you create firewall rules as they comprise a source and destination entity and an action that blocks or permits traffic between them. You can also add rules to manage bandwidth usage for specific applications and assign them to entities.

The advanced threat protection license enables IP reputation lists and stronger IPS courtesy of ProofPoint’s ET-Pro ruleset. The web console has options for anti-malware and antivirus, but we were advised that these Kaspersky-managed services are no longer available.

The built-in application library contains around 200 signatures, and the advanced firewall license activates the Procera app visibility library, which increases the signature count to nearly 2,000. Likewise with URL filtering, as the integral OpenText list can be upgraded to the Digital Arts service which offers around 100 web categories.

The AT-AR4050S-5G neatly integrates advanced network perimeter security with redundant 5G mobile connections. Failover for wired WAN connections isn’t perfect and some security features are no longer available, but this appliance will appeal to businesses and remote offices in rural areas with limited broadband services, and it’s offered at a very competitive price.

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I tried the Zyxel FWA510 – read what I thought of this WiFi router
11:51 am | March 20, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro | Comments: Off

This review first appeared in issue 353 of PC Pro.

Zyxel has been steadily building up an extensive range of 5G NR mobile routers, and the FWA510 is one of its most versatile yet. This desktop unit takes everything we liked in Zyxel’s NR5101 and claims a doubling in Wi-Fi 6 performance, adds essential 2.5GbE multi-gigabit network ports and teams up its four embedded omnidirectional antennas with an option to add four TS9 external aerials for improved reception.

The FWA510 is slightly larger than the NR5101, and the status LEDs have been moved from the front of the unit to the sloping upper surface. These will prove useful as they alert you if an SMS message has been received, use a multicolored LED to show cellular signal strength and provide visual cues for internet connectivity and wireless status.

The rear interface panel has also been redesigned and now has a faster USB-A port for sharing storage devices. The second multi-gig port can function as a LAN or WAN interface and, if you choose the latter, it takes precedence over the cellular connection, which drops back to standby mode for automatic failover services.

Full view of the Zyxel FWA510

There are four embedded antennas, with an option to add four external aerials (Image credit: Future)

The FWA510 is easy to install, with its local web interface provides a wizard to get you up and running. Our unit was supplied with a Vodafone 5G SIM snuggling in the 3FF slot in the base, which provided instant cellular internet access.

The web interface presents a dashboard showing the status of local and internet connections, cellular status and details of wireless networks. A default SSID is provided for both radios and, although it uses the weaker WPA2 encryption, you can easily swap to the more secure WPA3.

Four SSIDs are supported, with three guest wireless networks already configured. These can be modified to suit, with the Guest WiFi tickbox enabling L2 isolation so users on these SSIDs only get internet access.

General network security is good. An integral firewall offers three protection levels that you choose using a slider bar, and you can add custom firewall rules that comprise protocols and port numbers, plus access control list (ACL) entries to control connections for source and destination IP addresses and services.

Desktop screenshot of Zyxel FWA510's cloud management system

The FWA510 can be cloud-monitored from Zyxel’s Nebula Control Center (Image credit: Future)

So far, so good, but we came across an issue with the router’s wireless services. Zyxel claims it delivers up to 2,400Mbits/sec on the 5GHz radio (hence the AX3600 rating), but to achieve this it must support the high-speed 160MHz channels.

At present, the web console’s wireless settings for the 5GHz radio offer a 20/40/80MHz option, so our test clients could only connect at 1.2Gbits/sec. Consequently, copies of a 25GB test file between a Windows 11 Pro workstation equipped with a TP-Link Archer TXE75E Wi-Fi 6/6E adapter and a server on our 10GbE LAN maxed out at 108MB/sec at close range, dropping to 86MB/sec with the router ten meters away in the next room – only marginally faster than the AX1800-rated NR5101.

The FWA510 can be cloud-managed from Zyxel’s Nebula Control Center (NCC), and we added it to our account by scanning its QR code from an iPad running the Nebula iOS app. A status widget can be added to the NCC site dashboard, and selecting it provides more hardware details along with views of WAN and cellular status, 24-hour traffic graphs and information about wired and wireless clients.

Unlike Zyxel’s fully compliant Nebula wireless APs, the FWA510 doesn’t broadcast the cloud SSIDs as these must be configured from its own web interface. Upgrade to an NCC Pro Pack license and the remote configurator tool can load this directly from the NCC portal and will also increase traffic monitoring to 30 days.

Zyxel’s FWA510 and its 5G NR support will appeal to home workers in rural areas and remote offices that demand always-on internet access. It’s easy to use and can be cloud-monitored but, unless a firmware upgrade materializes, its Wi-Fi 6 services are no faster than the NR5101 it’s replacing.

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