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Alan Truly

Alan Truly

Computing Writer

Alan Truly is a Writer at Digital Trends, covering computers, laptops, hardware, software, and accessories that stand out as the most unique and effective solutions. Alan also researches and reviews VR headsets, AR glasses, AI, and robotics, the advances that can redefine how we live and work.

As a kid, Alan marveled at Star Trek, Popular Science, and other science news and sci-fi concepts on the horizon. Now, that future is fast approaching as we work from home, converse with computers thanks to AI, and visit the equivalent of a holodeck with VR and AR. The robot revolution began in factories but could soon reach our homes. What a time to be alive!

Alan's degree in Computer Science from Cal State Fullerton set him up for a diverse career centered around advanced technology. His first job in journalism was as a roving reporter and video editor at a cable TV station in Laughlin, NV before returning to California and starting a video production company specializing in computer animation. After the internet boom, Alan shifted to website design and marketing. He also spent several years as COO of a tablet accessory manufacturer, before returning to communications.

With bylines at Android Police, Peta Pixel, Mixed, and Screen Rant, Alan has written about every type of technology from mobile devices, watches, and tablets to drones, electric vehicles, and space habitats. It's all fascinating and all powered by computing.

Alan lives in Nova Scotia, Canada. A tech-enthusiast since his youth, he stays current on what is new and what is next. With over 30 years of experience in computer, video, and photo equipment, you can expect useful tips and insights in his writing. To stay flexible in mind and body, he practices daily yoga, light cardio, and eats a whole food diet, based on minimally processed plants.

When the weather is nice, and sometimes when it's not, Alan enjoys bringing tech on adventures with beach visits and woods walks. There's no better way to review an FPV drone, AR glasses, and 3D cameras.

Whenever the opportunity arises, Alan advocates for animal rights, green energy, and universal basic income to ease the burden of those without a voice and those who are less fortunate. In his free time, he catches up on the fascinating and unfolding UAP revelations that suggest humans aren't the only intelligent species in the cosmos.

The Color LaserJet Pro 4301fdw has good photo print quality on glossy paper.

The best color laser printers for 2024: tested and reviewed

Color laser printers are a smart choice for home offices and small businesses, but which should you buy? Here are our top picks for every budget.
HP's low-profile Envy 6155e sits on a white printer stand.

HP Envy 6155e review: a stylish printer made for Instant Ink

I reviewed the HP Envy 6155e, a sleek, budget all-in-one printer that relies on HP Instant Ink to keep supply costs low.
Avast One is open on a MacBook Air.

Avast One for Mac review: a free antivirus is all you need

I reviewed Avast One's free and paid plans for macOS, testing prevention, protection, and more to check its value for Mac owners.
VPN Unlimited is open in full screen mode on PC monitor.

VPN Unlimited review: a lifetime of privacy protection

I reviewed VPN Unlimited, a privacy and unblocking service that offers a unique lifetime plan that promises incredible long-term value.
The Color LaserJet Pro 4201dw works with all my devices and prints well on a variety of media.

The best printers for small businesses: inkjets and lasers

Here are the best laser and inkjet printers for small businesses, a selection of fast, reliable multifunction printers durable enough for a busy office.
Meta gave the Quest 3S passthrough cameras that are good enough to check my phone without taking the headset off.

You’ll soon be able to use a phone without leaving your VR headset

Want to use your phone in VR? Meta and Lenovo are working on high-quality mirroring to connect Motorola phones to your Quest headset.
McAfee+ Premium's Total Protection app is open on a MacBook Air.

I reviewed McAfee+ Premium for Mac and found it to be a questionable bargain

I reviewed McAfee antivirus for Mac to find out it the added protection is worth the subscription costs and if it integrates well with macOS.
Epson's EcoTank ET-3850 is a compact all-in-one inkjet tank printer.

Epson EcoTank ET-3850 review: an affordable and fast tank printer

I reviewed the Epson EcoTank ET-3850 to find out if this fast and affordable all-in-one has good enough quality and features for your home office.
Alan Truly holds a Meta Quest 3S and Quest 3.

Why you should buy the Quest 3S instead of the Quest 3

Meta's new Quest 3S is a great mixed reality headset that's good enough to challenge the more expensive Quest 3. So which is best for you?
I can use my hands instead of controllers in many games and apps.

Meta Quest 3S review: the perfect introduction to VR gaming

I reviewed Meta's Quest 3S, a budget VR headset with mixed reality and AI, to test its quality and value as an upgrade or a first headset.
Mullvad VPN is open on a PC monitor.

Mullvad VPN review: total anonymity for an affordable price

I reviewed Mullvad, a unique VPN with consistently low prices to find out if its speed, features, and reliability are worth the cost.
With the Viture Pro Dock, my wife and I can watch videos together while wearing smart glasses.

Viture solved the biggest problem with smart glasses

Pocketable smart glasses can provide a huge virtual screen for movies and games but, one big problem remains — sharing. Until now, that is.
Microsoft Defender and Edge Security settings are open on a PC monitor.

Microsoft Defender review: Is Windows default antivirus safe enough?

I reviewed Microsoft Defender to find out how well the free antivirus software included with Windows protects your computer and your personal data.
My two monitor PC sits unused while I use the Xreal Air 2 and Beam Pro with Bluetooth accessories.

Xreal vs. Apple Vision Pro: Why I chose Air 2 and Beam Pro

Xreal's Air 2 and Beam Pro are put to the test as a low-cost alternative to Apple's Vision Pro for spatial computing and 3D photos and videos.
Surfshark VPN on Mac protecting user data.

The 10 best VPN services for 2024, reviewed by experts

It's scary knowing your data might not be private. VPNs help shield your online activities. To help you pick the right one, these are the best VPN services.
Canon's imageClass MF753Cdw has a quick, full-duplex ADF.

The best all-in-one printers you can buy in 2024

Since working from home is the new norm for many people, having a printer on hand has gone from nice to necessity so you can print, scan, or fax as needed.
Half-Life Alyx looked crisp in a tethered connection to Vive Focus Vision.

I reviewed HTC’s new Vive Focus Vision, a lossless VR headset built for PC gaming

I reviewed HTC's Vive Focus Vision, a lossless PCVR headset with eye-tracking and standalone capability.
PrivadoVPN is running with the settings window open on a PC monitor.

PrivadoVPN review: the new budget VPN you can use for free

I reviewed PrivadoVPN to see if this newcomer can compete with leading VPNs while keeping subscription costs to a minimum.
Canon's Pixma TR7020a is a low-cost, compact all-in-one printer with an ADF.

Canon Pixma TR7020a review: a budget all-in-one with an ADF

I reviewed Canon's Pixma TR7020a, an all-in-one home office printer, to find out if there's good quality, performance, and features at this bargain price.
The Surfshark extension is running in the Edge browser on a PC monitor.

Surfshark review: a fast streaming VPN for all your devices

I reviewed Surfshark, a fast, affordable streaming VPN with unlimited device support, great privacy protection, and an optional antivirus plan.
Meta announced new AI features for Ray-Ban Smart Glasses.

Meta just unveiled a huge update to its Ray-Ban Smart Glasses

Meta's popular Ray-Ban Smart Glasses are getting new AI abilities that let it handle live translation, remind you where you parked, and more.
Meta announced the Quest 3s at Connect 2024.

The Meta Quest 3S is official, making mixed-reality even more affordable

Learn more about Meta's new Quest 3S, a budget-priced mixed-reality headset with many of the best features of the $500 Quest 3.
A PC monitor shows NordVPN and Proton VPN pricing in a split-screen.

I compared two of the most popular VPNs to see which is worth it

NordVPN and Proton VPN go head-to-head in my hands-on comparison to find out which privacy and video stream unblocking solution is best for you.
Windscribe VPN's cramped but well-designed Windows app is open on a PC monitor.

Windscribe review: build your own plan with this unique VPN

I tested Windscribe, a VPN with a free service, low-cost plans, and a malware blocker. I explored its strengths, weaknesses, and overall value.
HTC Vive Focus Vision is designed for location-based VR and PC VR gaming.

The Vive Focus Vision is a premium VR headset that’s actually made for gamers

HTC Vive just announced a new VR headset called Focus Vision that includes eye-tracking for visually lossless PC VR.
The CyberGhost VPN app is open and showing servers on a PC monitor.

CyberGhost review: a fast streaming VPN with some inconsistencies

I reviewed CyberGhost, a popular streaming VPN, to find out how quick it really is and whether it's worth subscribing.
A PC monitor shows NordPass and Proton Pass websites in a split-view.

NordPass vs. Proton Pass: best free and low-cost password manager

I went hands-on with NordPass and Proton Pass, two of the best password managers, comparing features and costs to help you make the right choice.
Alan compares draft, standard, and high-quality photos from Epson's EcoTank ET-8500.

The best photo printers you can buy in 2024

The best photo printers deliver high-quality photo prints at home, in the office, or on the go. Here are some of our favorite photo printers.
Surfshark VPN on Mac protecting user data.

The best free VPNs for 2024

We tried the best free VPNs that protect your personal data from hackers and advertisers at no cost and without cutting speed or features.
A PC monitor shows ExpressVPN's browser extension in use while testing its speed.

ExpressVPN review: a premium VPN for fast streaming

I tested ExpressVPN's speed, value, and ease-of-use to find out if this well-rated global video streaming solution is worth the premium price.
An upscaled image of the Meta Quest 3S from the Quest Link app.

Meta just accidentally revealed its next VR headset

Check out Meta's leak of an official image of the Quest 3S, which gives confirmation of a budget version of the popular Quest 3 mixed reality headset.
Alan Truly wears Viture Pro smart glasses.

I want to be completely done with monitors — for good

Here's why I can't wait to get rid of all my monitors and replace them with a lightweight headset or pair of display glasses.
Brother's MFC-L3720CDW is a big, sturdy color laser printer.

Brother MFC-L3720CDW review: a sturdy, but limited color laser printer

I reviewed the affordable Brother MFC-L3720CDW to find out if it offers enough quality, speed, and features at that low price.
McAfee and Avast antivirus pricing appears in a split-view on a PC monitor.

McAfee+ vs. Avast One: Which lost-cost antivirus app is best?

I went hands-on with McAfee and Avast antivirus software to find out which offers the best malware protection, value, and ease of use.