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Piano Keys

Piano Keys If you've ever looked closely at a piano keyboard you may have noticed that the widths of the white keys are not all the same at the back ends (where they pass between the black keys). Of course, if you think about it for a minute, it's clear they couldn't possibly all be the same width, assuming the black keys are all identical (with non-zero width) and the white keys all have equal widths at the front ends, because the only simultaneous solution of 3W=3w+2b and 4W=4w+3b is with b=0

This split keyboard offers deep customization - if you're willing to go all in

ZDNET's key takeaways The Naya Create keyboard is available now starting at $500, with additional modules sold separately. It's very well-built and well-designed, with a breadth of customization options that let you go as deep as you want. It's expensive, and the learning curve requires dedication. View now at Naya I've tested a few split keyboards over the past year, and they all have one thing in common: You really have to be committed to the cause. Rewiring your brain to an all-new keyboar

This slick gadget is like a Swiss Army Knife for my keys (and fully trackable)

ZDNET's key takeaways KeySmart's iPro Key Finder and Holder is available at Best Buy for $40. It holds up to 14 keys, has a built in LED flashlight, and lasts about a month on one charge. It's one more thing you'll need to keep charged. View now at Best Buy Are you forever losing your keys? You're convinced you put them down on the coffee table, but now you're five minutes late leaving for work and you're pulling the couch to bits apart to find them. Sound familiar? If this is you, and you'r

10 tiny tools I carry with me everywhere - how they work

My keychain essentials. Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET I've collected my fair share of multitools and gadgets, but I've lost track of how often I've needed one -- only to realize it's sitting at home or in the car. Carrying a full toolbox everywhere just isn't practical. What I do have with me almost all the time, though, is my keychain -- and it turns out, it's the perfect way to keep essential tools within reach. Also: Are Amazon Basics tools worth it? My verdict after testing the top-sellers

How I easily set up passkeys through my password manager - and why you should too

J. W. Burkey/Getty Images Passkeys promise a more secure, easier authentication method than passwords. Instead of creating and remembering a password for each account, a passkey is automatically generated for you by the respective website or app. To authenticate your login, you can use a PIN, fingerprint recognition, facial ID, or a physical security key. Also: How passkeys work: The complete guide to your inevitable passwordless future Sounds great, right? The main hiccup is that passkeys ca

APKLab: Android Reverse-Engineering Workbench for VS Code

APKLab The ultimate Android RE experience right inside your VS Code. APKLab seamlessly integrates the best open-source tools: Quark-Engine, Apktool, Jadx, uber-apk-signer, apk-mitm and more to the excellent VS Code so you can focus on app analysis and get it done without leaving the IDE. Features Decode all the resources from an APK Disassemble the APK to Dalvik bytecode aka Smali Decompile the APK to Java source Interactive Malware Analysis Report Initialize Project dir as Git repo E

FOKS: Federated Open Key Service

A Simple Key Hierarchy To power applications like the Git and KV-Store shown above, FOKS needs a shared symmetric key for all readers and writers of the data, available only to the authorized devices, teams users and keys that the authors specify. FOKS achieves this natural application requirement with a simple key hierarchy. Everything starts with base-level keys, like user device keys, backup keys, or YubiKeys. Device keys are generated on user devices and never leave the machine they are ge

Topics: base key keys level teams

How passkeys work: Your passwordless journey begins here

CollinsChin/Getty Images Over the last few decades, compromised usernames and passwords have typically been at the root of some of the most sensational, damaging, and costly data breaches. An incessant drumbeat of advice about how to choose and use strong passwords and how not to fall prey to social engineering attacks has done little to keep threat actors at bay. Additional factors of authentication, such as the transmission of one-time passwords or passcodes (OTPs) over SMS or email, are wid

FOKS: The Federated Open Key Service

A Simple Key Hierarchy To power applications like the Git and KV-Store shown above, FOKS needs a shared symmetric key for all readers and writers of the data, available only to the authorized devices, teams users and keys that the authors specify. FOKS achieves this natural application requirement with a simple key hierarchy. Everything starts with base-level keys, like user device keys, backup keys, or YubiKeys. Device keys are generated on user devices and never leave the machine they are ge

Topics: base key keys level teams

How passkeys work: Do your favorite sites even support passkeys?

Adam Smigielski/Getty Images Over the last few decades, compromised usernames and passwords have typically been at the root of some of the most sensational, damaging, and costly data breaches. An incessant drumbeat of advice about how to choose and use strong passwords and how not to fall prey to social engineering attacks has done little to keep threat actors at bay. Additional factors of authentication, such as the transmission of one-time passwords or passcodes (OTPs) over SMS or email, are

How passkeys work: The complete guide to your inevitable passwordless future

Owaki - Kulla/Getty Images I've been writing a lot about passkeys recently -- and with good reason. This year, some of the world's largest technology companies are doubling down on efforts to convince their billions of global users to start using passkeys instead of passwords when signing into websites, apps, and other services. Passwords versus passkeys How passkeys work Do your favorite sites even support passkeys? Join us on a typical passkey journey from discovery to registration to authe

My favorite AirTag wallet alternative is lightweight, super thin, and on sale now

ZDNET's key takeaways KeySmart's SmartCard is available on Amazon for $40 (3-pack for $90). It's super thin, has a wireless rechargeable battery, and is IPX7-rated. It needs to be recharged every 5 months or so. View now at Amazon Save 25% on the KeySmart SmartCard during Amazon Prime Day. Just be sure to apply the on-page coupon to get the SmartCard for $30 (save $10). Apple AirTags have changed my life, saving me countless hours looking for keys and other items that I absent-mindedly mis

My favorite AirTag wallet alternative is tough and super thin - and it's on sale with an exclusive code

ZDNET's key takeaways KeySmart's SmartCard is available on Amazon for $40 (3-pack for $90). It's super thin, has a wireless rechargeable battery, and is IPX7-rated. It needs to be recharged every 5 months or so. View now at Amazon Save 20% on the KeySmart SmartCard when you check out with the ZDNET exclusive promo code 'KSPRIME20' at checkout. Apple AirTags have changed my life, saving me countless hours looking for keys and other items that I absent-mindedly misplaced. But AirTags have a f

Microsoft Is Eliminating Passwords in August: Here's What You Need to Do to Prepare

In June, Microsoft Authenticator stopped letting users create new passwords. In July, it turned off the autofill password function. And in August, the login app will stop supporting passwords entirely, moving to more secure passkeys, such as a PIN, fingerprint or facial recognition. Attila Tomaschek, CNET's software senior writer and digital security expert, says that passkeys are a safer alternative to the risky password habits practiced by 49% of US adults, according to a recent survey by CNE

Next month, saved passwords will no longer be in Microsoft’s Authenticator app

Starting this month, you'll no longer be able to use Microsoft Authenticator's autofill password function, a move the company is making to transition from passwords to passkeys. Last month, Microsoft stopped letting you save new passwords in the app. Next month is the biggest change, all your saved passwords will no longer be in the Authenticator app. You'll have to use passkeys instead -- such as a PIN, fingerprint or facial recognition. Attila Tomaschek, CNET's software senior writer and dig

Microsoft Will Delete Your Passwords in One Month

Starting this month, you'll no longer be able to use Microsoft Authenticator's autofill password function, a move the company is making to transition from passwords to passkeys. Last month, Microsoft stopped letting you save new passwords in the app. Next month is the biggest change, all your saved passwords will no longer be in the Authenticator app. You'll have to use passkeys instead -- such as a PIN, fingerprint or facial recognition. Attila Tomaschek, CNET's software senior writer and dig

Microsoft Authenticator won't manage your passwords anymore - here's why and what's next

gyro/Getty Images Those of you who use Microsoft Authenticator as a password manager will have to find another option, and soon. That's because an upcoming change will pull the plug on the ability to use the Authenticator app to store and autofill passwords. In a recent support document, Microsoft revealed the timeline for Authenticator's retirement as a password manager. Starting in June, you'll no longer be able to add or import new passwords in the app, though you'll still be able to save p

Microsoft Authenticator will soon ditch passwords for passkeys - here's what to do

ZDNET Those of you who use Microsoft Authenticator as a password manager will have to find another option, and soon. That's because an upcoming change will pull the plug on the ability to use the Authenticator app to store and autofill passwords. In a recent support document, Microsoft revealed the timeline for Authenticator's retirement as a password manager. Starting in June, you'll no longer be able to add or import new passwords in the app, though you'll still be able to save passwords thr

Microsoft Is Getting Rid of Passwords in One Month. Here's What You Need to Do ASAP

If you rely on Microsoft Authenticator to store your passwords, time is winding down. Starting in August, Microsoft will require you to use passkeys instead of keeping all of your Microsoft passwords on its mobile app and your old passwords will vanish. But that's not bad news. Passkeys can cut out risky password habits that 49% of US adults have, according to a recent CNET survey. Making it a practice to use the same password for multiple accounts or include personal hints, like your birthday

My favorite AirTag wallet alternative also works with Android phones - and it's on sale

ZDNET's key takeaways KeySmart's SmartCard is available on Amazon for $40 (3-pack for $90). It's super thin, works with both Android and Apple iOS, has a wireless rechargeable battery, and is IPX7-rated. It needs to be recharged every 5 months or so. View now at Amazon Amazon is selling the KeySmart SmartCard for 20% off when you check out with the promo code 'KSPRIME20'. Apple AirTags have changed my life, saving me countless hours looking for keys and other items that I absent-mindedly mis

Ocarina of Time Randomizer

Shuffle Items. Solve The Logic. This randomizer takes The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and randomizes the locations of the items for a more dynamic play experience. Proper logic is used to ensure every seed is possible to complete without the use of glitches and will be safe from the possibility of softlocks with any possible usage of keys in dungeons. Depending on settings, all dungeons will always have the same number of small keys, the boss key, maps and compasses. Which chests have tho

Microsoft Is Ditching Passwords for Passkeys: How to Switch Before the August Deadline

Did you know there's a safer alternative to passwords? Some companies are implementing passkeys, which essentially use your biometric data, like fingerprint or facial recognition to log into your account as the first step. Passkeys can cut out risky password habits that 49% of US adults have, according to a recent CNET survey. Using the same password for multiple accounts and even using personal information, like your name, as a part of your password can lead to hackers guessing it or your pass

Finally, an AirTag alternative for my wallet that also works with Android - and it's on sale

ZDNET's key takeaways KeySmart's SmartCard is available on Amazon for $40 (3-pack for $90). It's super thin, works with both Android and Apple iOS, has a wireless rechargeable battery, and is IPX7-rated. It needs to be recharged every 5 months or so. View now at Amazon Amazon is selling the KeySmart SmartCard for 20% off when you check out with the promo code 'KSPRIME20'. Apple AirTags have changed my life, saving me countless hours looking for keys and other items that I absent-mindedly mis

The best keyboards for 2025

Engadget has been testing and reviewing consumer tech since 2004. Our stories may include affiliate links; if you buy something through a link, we may earn a commission. Read more about how we evaluate products . A good keyboard can make all the difference for your work setup. If you primarily work on a laptop, switching from the built-in keyboard to a wired or wireless keyboard can be more comfortable and ergonomic while adding functionality like extra keys and shortcuts into the mix. If your

RIP Microsoft Passwords: Here's How to Set Up a Passkey Before the August Deadline

Risky password habits can have big consequences, and some companies are making it easier to stay secure online by ditching decades-old password methods and implementing passkeys instead. Microsoft intends to do the same starting in August. Whether you have an easy-to-guess password or it's leaked in a company data breach, if hackers get hold of it, it can open the door to identity theft and fraud. A recent CNET survey found that 49% of US adults have risky password habits, like using the same p

Facebook's new passkey support could soon let you ditch your password forever

NurPhoto / Contributor/Getty For all of us who hate passwords, passkeys represent a simpler and safer way of authenticating online accounts. But adoption has been slow, with many companies and websites still relying on passwords. Now the world's biggest social media platform is jumping on the bandwagon. On Wednesday, Facebook announced that it's now rolling out support for passkeys on mobile devices. This means you'll be able to use one to sign in to Facebook on an iPhone or Android device. Bu

Facebook's new passkey support could let you ditch your password once and for all

NurPhoto / Contributor/Getty For all of us who hate passwords, passkeys represent a simpler and safer way of authenticating online accounts. But adoption has been slow, with many companies and websites still relying on passwords. Now the world's biggest social media platform is jumping on the bandwagon. On Wednesday, Facebook announced that it will soon support passkeys on mobile devices. This means you'll be able to use one to sign in to Facebook on an iPhone or Android device. But the passke

A deep-dive explainer on Ink and Switch's BeeKEM protocol

I’ve spent the last year working on local-first apps, most recently with Muni Town. For me, ‘local-first’ isn’t just a technical architecture — it’s a political and social stance. It’s about shifting control: from remote servers and top-down central authorities deciding how data, workflows, and communities operate, to individuals and communities reclaiming that control and gaining autonomy. Seen this way, privacy and consent aren’t add-ons — they’re foundational, just as critical as sync or data

Topics: group key keys new secret

Facebook will soon roll out support for passkeys on Android and iOS

Facebook is rolling out support for passkeys on both iOS and Android, the social network announced on Wednesday. Passkey logins make it harder for bad actors to remotely access your accounts because they require physical access to your phone. Unlike standard logins, passkeys use Face ID or Touch ID, a PIN, or a physical security authentication key to validate logins. Passkeys remove the need to rely on username and password combinations, which can be susceptible to phishing and other issues.

10 tiny gadgets I never leave home without (and how they work)

My keychain essentials. Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET I've collected my fair share of multitools and gadgets, but I've lost track of how often I've needed one -- only to realize it's sitting at home or in the car. Carrying a full toolbox everywhere just isn't practical. What I do have with me almost all the time, though, is my keychain -- and it turns out, it's the perfect way to keep essential tools within reach. Also: Are Amazon Basics tools any good? I bought a bunch to find out, and you'd