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Alan Truly

Alan Truly

Computing Writer
Author/Co-Author of 505 articles

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 Epson EcoTank ET-8500 is a surprisingly compact all-in-one.

The best printer brands

The best printer brands offer variety, quality, reliability, and ongoing service -- all important details for printing documents, labels, and photos.
A rose gold MacBook Air has Disk Utility open with a red warning symbol and an external drive connected.

The best data recovery software for your Mac or MacBook

Our guide to the best data recovery apps for the Mac can help you restore any files missing after a storage failure or drive error.
Proton Drive Plus is open on a PC monitor.

Proton Drive review: Secure your files and photos with end-to-end encryption

I reviewed Proton Drive Plus to test the quality and convenience of this secure cloud storage service with end-to-end encryption for photos and files.
The Malwarebytes for Mac app is open on a MacBook Air.

Malwarebytes for Mac 2025 review: an antivirus and privacy upgrade

Malwarebytes for Mac adds more antivirus protection to macOS, so I tested its quality, ease of use, and features to find out if it's worth the cost.
Epson's EcoTank ET-2980 is a compact all-in-one inkjet tank printer.

Epson EcoTank ET-2980 review: a quick, low-cost all-in-one printer for families

I review the Epson EcoTank ET-2980, an affordable inkjet tank printer that uses Epson's PrecisionCore technology to increase print speed by 50%.
Bitdefender for Mac runs a quick scan on a MacBook Air.

Bitdefender for Mac 2025 review: dependable security for macOS

Bitdefender's well-rated antivirus software is available for the Mac, but is it as good as the Windows version and does it integrate well with macOS?
The front of the Ray-Ban Meta smartglasses.

Ray-Ban Meta review: The best smartglasses for most people

We've used the Ray-Ban Meta smartglasses since they launched in 2023, and know what's good and bad. Here's our in-depth, long-term review.
The Color LaserJet Pro 4301fdw has good photo print quality on glossy paper.

The 10 best color laser printers for 2025: 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.
Norton antivirus scan is in progress on the screen of a Windows PC.

Norton 360 for Windows 2025 review: top-notch antivirus software gets a VPN boost

I reviewed Norton's antivirus and cybersecurity plans, checking malware protection, support, pricing, and more to help you keep your PC secure.
Norton Password Manager is open on a PC monitor.

Norton Password Manager review: cross-platform login security for free

I review Norton Password Manager, a free service that stores unlimited logins and encrypted notes across all your devices.
The HP OfficeJet Pro 9730e is a budget-friendly wide-format all-in-one.

HP OfficeJet Pro 9730e review: a wide-format 11×17 printer at a small price

Need a wide-format printer? I tested HP's fast, affordable OfficeJet Pro 9730e to find out if it's the right 11x17 printer for your office.
Alan Truly draws in the air with Logitech's MX Ink stylus and the Meta Quest 3S.

The best Meta Quest apps you need to try

The Meta Quest 3 isn’t just a VR gaming apparatus. Thanks to hundreds of apps, you’ll actually be able to do everything from web browsing to movie playback.
Stellar Data Recovery Premium and EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard Pro are open on a PC monitor.

Stellar vs. EaseUS: Which premium data recovery app restores more files?

I compare premium data recovery pricing, features, ease of use, and customer service for Stellar and EaseUS to find out which is best for you.
EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard Pro is open on a PC monitor.

EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard 2025 review: The best gets better

I review EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard's 2025 version to test its file restoration capabilities, ease-of-use, and value.
The imageClass MF753Cdw is a large but well-designed printer.

The best printers for small businesses: inkjets and lasers

Here are the best laser and inkjet printers for small businesses, fast, reliable printers and all-in-ones durable enough for your busy office.
A photo shows Stellar Data Recovery Premium and Recuva Professional side-by-side on a PC monitor

Stellar Data Recovery vs. Recuva: Is premium file restoration worth the cost?

I compare Stellar Data Recovery and Recuva Professional to find out if premium file restoration software can beat a budget app.
Stellar Data Recovery Premium 2025 is open on a Windows PC.

Stellar Data Recovery Premium 2025 review: Big upgrade restores lost SSD files

I reviewed Stellar Data Recovery's three subscription plans and a free version to find out which is best and offers the most value.
The HP LaserJet M209dW is a fast, compact monochrome laser printer.

HP LaserJet M209d review: The little monochrome laser printer that could

The HP LaserJet M209dW seems too good to be true, so I tested this fast monochrome laser printer that often sells for under $100.
Google Drive, iCloud, and OneDrive are open on a PC monitor.

Google Drive, iCloud, or OneDrive: Which cloud storage is most private and secure?

Google, Microsoft, and Apple provide cloud storage solutions integrated into the OS, but which should you trust most with your data and identify?
Alan and Tracey Truly watch a movie together with Viture One smart glasses.

I was blown away by these smart glasses that turn 2D videos into a 3D experience

Viture One's new Immersive 3D adds depth to streaming movies and videos, unlocking a vast library 3D content.
Mullvad VPN and NymVPN are open on a PC monitor.

Mullvad VPN vs. NymVPN: which private network is the most anonymous?

When you need privacy, a VPN is an essential tool in disguising your location. However, you might be sharing information with the VPN provider that can be used to identify who you are and where you live, as well as revealing financial details. Fortunately, some VPN providers make an extra effort to protect your identity […]
I was impressed with the HL-L2460DW's print speed and quality.

What is a monochrome printer, and do you need one?

If you're shopping for a new printer, you might want to check out a monochrome printer, an odd name for a device that's actually quite common.
Mullvad VPN's app and website appear on a PC monitor.

Mullvad VPN 2025 review: total anonymity for an affordable price

I reviewed Mullvad, a unique VPN with consistently low prices to find out if its total anonymity and layered security features are worth the cost.
Alan Truly captures a 3D scan of a forest scene to view later in VR.

I turned a mossy tree into a 3D world and walked inside with my Quest 3

I tried a new app that lets me scan a mossy tree in minutes and walk into that VR scene with my Quest 3 and you can do it too.
Proton VPN and NymVPN websites are open in a split-screen.

Proton VPN vs. NymVPN: which multi-hop service is the most secure?

I went hands-on with Proton VPN and NymVPN, privacy-focused services that hide your online activity to protect you from hackers and spies.
Brother's HL-L2460DW is a small, lightweight monochrome laser printer.

Brother HL-L2460DW review: A impressively fast budget monochrome laser printer

Brother's HL-L2460DW is one of the least expensive laser printers you can buy, so I went hands-on to test its speed, quality, and long-term value.
Epson EcoTank ET-2980 shown in the white colorway.

Epson’s new inkjet tank printer for the home is fast enough for the office

Epson announced the new EcoTank ET-2980, a budget-priced inkjet tank printer with PrecisionCore technology usually reserved for business printers.
NymVPN is open and connected in Anonymous mode on a Windows PC.

NymVPN review: a private, anonymous, and decentralized service

I reviewed NymVPN's new decentralized service that features multi-hop security and encryption with added noise to obfuscate traffic.
The NordVPN and Proton VPN websites are shown in a split-view on a PC monitor.

I went hands-on with two top VPNs to see which is faster and offers better value

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.
The 2025 Proton VPN app is open on a PC monitor.

Proton VPN 2025 review: a scientific approach to security

Proton VPN was created by CERN scientists to protect privacy, so I reviewed the free and paid versions to test how Proton compares to other top VPNs.
Alan compares draft, standard, and high-quality photos from Epson's EcoTank ET-8500.

The best photo printers you can buy in 2025

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.
Epson's SureColor P900 handles media up to 17 x 22 inches.

Epson SureColor P900 review: a photographer’s printer with poster-size prints

I reviewed Epson's premium printer for photographers, the 17-inch wide-format SureColor P900, testing its quality, speed, usability, and value.
Bitdefender antivirus software is open and running a scan on a Windows PC.

Bitdefender for Windows 2025 review: premium protection for all your devices

I reviewed the latest updates to Bitdefender's antivirus and advanced security plans for Windows to test the premium features and check its value.
A happy Mac logo and Passwords icon hover over the Windows desktop.

Three best ways to sync Apple passwords to a Windows PC

Here's how I sync logins from my MacBook, iPad, and iPhone to my Windows PC so I can access my favorite accounts without retyping passwords.