Author: sparta

Your New Monitor Might Be Concealing a Multitasking Enhancement You Were Unaware of

If you regularly alternate between a work laptop and a gaming setup or a personal desktop, it’s easy to picture your workspace being overwhelmed with wires. Whether it’s the link between your laptop and monitor or the devices attached to your desktop, those cable connections can accumulate rapidly. Although you can tackle the mess using inexpensive tools or this stylish Amazon DIY kit, you won’t be able to lower the number of cables unless you utilize a concealed multitasking enhancement found in numerous contemporary monitors.

Today’s monitors frequently feature built-in support for a KVM (Keyboard, Video, Mouse) Switch. While KVM switches are also available separately and enable you to effortlessly switch your monitor and peripheral connections among several computers, manufacturers have been incorporating them into monitors for some time to streamline things for users. Here’s how a KVM switch in your monitor can improve your setup and elevate your multitasking capabilities.

How does a KVM switch function?

A KVM switch fundamentally allows you to connect multiple computers using a single keyboard, mouse, and monitor, letting you toggle between them effortlessly. This is particularly useful if you wish to utilize the same set of monitors and peripherals with both your laptop and your desktop, or any mix of two or more computers, without needing to disconnect cables from one device and reconnect them to another every time you want to switch. Monitors with an integrated KVM switch simplify matters even further, as you can have all your peripherals plugged into your monitor, which is then connected to two different computers.

When it’s time to switch computers, you merely change the source on the monitor, and all connected peripherals and devices will seamlessly transition their connection to the second computer without needing manual changes. However, some monitors may require you to access an option in the OSD (On-Screen Display) menu or press a physical KVM switch button to alternate the connected USB devices. KVM-capable monitors usually accommodate two computers, though some may support more. Beyond making the switching of the monitor and peripherals more straightforward, the inclusion of the KVM switch keeps your desk arrangement neater, as you aren’t constantly relocating cables, and everything can be organized neatly.

Additional advantages of monitors with KVM switch support

While the name might imply that this feature is only usable with your keyboard, mouse, and monitor, you can actually utilize your monitor’s USB ports as part of the KVM to connect any peripherals, such as a webcam, microphone, and headphones, and toggle them between computers with a single button press. This is excellent for maintaining an orderly workspace and not complicating things when you suddenly need to use a dedicated webcam or USB microphone with your laptop.

Monitors that feature a built-in KVM switch sometimes include functions like picture-by-picture (PBP) or picture-in-picture (PIP), which let you view video input from both computers simultaneously. Some also support seamless input switching as you engage with different computers while using PBP. For instance, it will shift the mouse input from one computer to the other as you move the mouse across the “border” of the two distinct video outputs on the monitor, known as “mouse roaming.” All these functions can prove very useful during multitasking. So when you’re next in the market for a new monitor, remember to check the product listing to determine if it includes a KVM switch.

Google is entirely overhauling its Google Maps experience starting this week, as the company incorporates Gemini into one of the most well-known internet services available. With this announcement, the company is exploring new methods for users to receive recommendations with a simple prompt, in addition to a completely fresh driving experience. This means an updated map experience that resembles what Apple Maps has been providing with a 3D perspective of the route, but enhanced with AI and Google’s community data accessible on the move.

These updates include the new “Ask Maps” feature and four new enhancements aimed at assisting drivers in reaching their destinations, whether it’s their first visit to that spot or a familiar route or commute. These features will begin to roll out this week for users in the U.S., and Ask Maps will also be available for users in India. Global expansion is planned throughout the remainder of 2026, or when the company is ready to share further details.

Ask Maps may be one of the most beneficial features Google has ever launched.

Have you ever been in a new city, or maybe you’re organizing a date, but you don’t typically keep track of all the interesting places you’ve visited using Google Maps, and you’re unsure of where to go? Well, Ask Maps should assist with that: By posing a straightforward question to Google Maps, like “I’m dining with three friends, and I need a vegetarian place between work and midtown that has a table available for 7 p.m.,” Gemini will provide several suggestions based on user experiences and information submitted by restaurant owners, allowing you to quickly book a table at one of the locations with just another tap.

The same applies if you’re planning a trip and want Gemini to create an itinerary featuring a few hidden gems, specific criteria, and so on. Google showcased the experience to BGR, and from what we’ve observed, it appears highly promising. Google informs us that, currently, Gemini won’t consider sponsored content from Google Maps, nor will companies be able to pay for sponsorship within that experience, as the team is focused solely on delivering the best possible experience. Consequently, Google will only consider user reviews and information from merchants to generate suggestions.

Driving with Google Maps will significantly differ, yet remain familiar.

With the new driving experience, Google aims for users to quickly orient themselves, provide more natural navigation, explain why Maps has selected a specific route, and assist them in confidently moving from door to door.

A brand-new 3D view enhances the driver’s understanding of what they need to do next by emphasizing buildings, landscapes, different lanes, crosswalks, traffic signals, and more. It has a distinctly Apple Maps-like appearance, and Google asserts that this update is not merely about aesthetics but actual utility. One of the most exciting aspects of this update is how natural language will aid drivers in situating themselves. Instead of just instructing to turn left in 200 meters, Google will advise the driver to turn left after the upcoming traffic light.

Google Maps will also provide more noticeable alerts regarding changes to the route in real-time, clarify the trade-offs of opting for an alternative path, in addition to any real-time disruptions that might occur while driving. Immersive Navigation is being rolled out across the U.S. on iOS and Android devices, CarPlay, and Android Auto. Google also mentions that this experience is currently tailored for drivers, as the company has no announcements for pedestrians and cyclists; which aligns with Apple, as it continues to face challenges regarding those who depend on public transit or walk frequently.