This and That

Tech News and Opinions

Cyber Monday sales break record, with $7.9 billion spent online

Though foot traffic at some malls and stores was down over the holiday weekend, more and more shoppers have been turning to the internet to hunt for deals.

Roku's home screen is going to get an overhaul (and you can already take a peek)

Roku is planning to replace its home screen with a different interface, one you can already find if you know where to look.

Roku Free Movies: The Best Channels for Streaming Movies for Free

There are hundreds of free Roku channels, including free movie channels that rival anything the subscription services provide. When you’re streaming on a budget, Roku has your back.

Apple Updates iCloud for Windows 10 Version 1809

After identifying an incompatibility between iCloud and the latest version of Windows 10 (that we reported last week), Apple this week quietly issued a fix in the form of iCloud 7.8.1.

Microsoft lifts Windows 10 1809 block after Apple fixes iCloud for Windows

Microsoft unblocks the Windows 10 October 2018 Update for one group, but several other blocks remain in place.

How to reset or restart your Kindle

Like any device that runs software, however, it may occasionally become unresponsive, sluggish or unable to act the way that it should. In instances like these, resetting your Kindle could set things right.

Desktop and Laptop Tips and Tricks

New cumulative updates land for Windows 10 April 2018 Update and more

The April 2018 Update, Fall Creators Update, Creators Update, and Anniversary Update are all on deck.

You don't need your password to sign in to your Microsoft account

More than 800 million people who use a Microsoft account can now securely log in without having to remember a password, the company has said.

A closer look at the new light theme in coming to Windows 10

Are you a fan of light user interfaces? Microsoft is building a brand new one into Windows 10 and it looks good. Let's take a closer look.

11 best keyboard shortcuts for Windows PC

There are so many keyboard shortcuts out there that could be making your life even better.

How to Maximize Your Browsing Privacy Using DuckDuckGo

DuckDuckGo, a 10-year-old web privacy company, offers a tracker-free alternative to Google search, and web browsing utilities that minimize the number of sites and companies tracking you across the web.

How to edit PDFs in Microsoft Word

While previous versions of Word let you save a document as a PDF, Word 2016 allows you to open an Adobe formatted file, modify it and then re-save it back to the PDF format without using Acrobat.

Best cheap laptops: Amazon and Best Buy top sellers rated

Your job is to find the one that checks off the most boxes for your needs. We’ll show you what to look for by highlighting which budget laptops among the best-sellers currently listed at Amazon and Best Buy are worth buying.

Mobile Computing – iOS Only

How to use IOS 12 Shortcuts

iOS 12’s powerful automation tool makes it way easier to get stuff done on your iPhone or iPad–once you’re up and running.

Here's how Fitbit, Apple Watch are bringing lab-style analysis to our wrists

Smartwatches are ushering in functions to monitor medical conditions and potentially save lives.

Google Assistant just got much better and more convenient on iOS thanks to Siri Shortcuts

Siri is so ingrained in Apple’s platform that competing virtual assistants can’t quite match its convenience or the speed of accessing it, but Google is taking advantage of every tool at its disposal to get closer.

12 awesome iPhone camera tricks anyone can do

Of course you’ll know how to take snaps with your iPhone, but there are all sorts of oft-forgotten little features that you can use which unlock a whole range of tricks for getting photos that are more accomplished, more creative, or just plain more fun.

The One Mistake You’re Making That’s KILLING Your iPhone Battery

Did you know there’s one simple mistake we’re making every night that certainly isn’t helping much either? What is it?

Mobile Computing – Android Only

Microsoft's Android launcher now tracks your digital health

Install the Microsoft Launcher 5.1 beta release and you'll see a "digital health" section that tracks aspects like your total screen time, number of unlocks and session lengths.

Android Apps With More Than 2 Billion Total Downloads Are Committing Ad Fraud

“Why isn't Google immediately dropping such apps from the Play store and advising users to uninstall them?” one analyst asked.

10 new Android apps worth checking out

New apps need lovin’ too, right? Every day there are thousands of additions to the Google Play store, but many go unnoticed and never receive the attention they deserve.

Top 5 most popular Android apps from last week

Read on for the five most popular Android apps from last week. These apps are ones that are most likely new and haven’t appeared in the top five list more than three times.

Project Fi is now Google Fi and officially supports more Android phones

Google’s Project Fi is now officially known as Google Fi, and the MVNO now supports a host of new devices from manufacturers like Samsung and OnePlus. And yes, even Apple’s iPhone lineup is supported as well.