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Tech News and Opinions

Report: Smartphone shipments see year of decline for first time

This marks the first time shipments dropped for a full year. It’s also the fifth straight quarter of declining smartphone shipments.

Why Choosing Between Windows and macOS Still Matters

It really does matter which OS you use, and not just because there might be a learning curve if you make a switch. Here are some of the key reasons why your choice still counts.

Thinking about getting computer glasses? Read this first

They claim to help stop headaches and keep us from staying up too late, but are they worth the money?

Microsoft announces Internet Explorer 10 will reach end-of-life by January 2020

Along with Windows 7, Microsoft is also ending security updates and technical support for Internet Explorer 10 by January 2020 that it shared in a blog post yesterday, and users are advised to upgrade to IE11 by then.

Everything New in Windows 10’s April 2019 Update

It features a light theme, speed improvements, and lots of polish plus many new features...none earth shattering.

40 fun things to ask Alexa

Alexa can do more than automate your home. She can also keep you entertained with jokes, stories and interesting trivia without enabling any extra skills.

Desktop and Laptop Tips and Tricks

Firefox gets new knobs so you can fine-tune your privacy

Mozilla has released a new version of Firefox that lets you strike a better balance between maintaining privacy and breaking websites.

12 Google Calendar Tricks You're Probably Not Using

Can your calendar keep up with your busy schedule? These Google Calendar tips will help you and your team stay organized.

What's the best cloud storage for you?

Free and cheap personal and small business cloud storage is everywhere. Here's how to decide which one is right for you.

Office 365 to Use OneDrive as Default Save Location Going Forward

Microsoft announced this week that its core Office 365 applications will use OneDrive as your default Save location, starting with a set of February updates.

OneDrive tips and tricks: How to master Microsoft's free cloud storage

If you haven't checked out OneDrive lately, you're missing out. Over the past two years, Microsoft has methodically added a raft of new features that can help you back up personal files and photos. In this post, I show you some of the most useful options for saving and sharing files and folders.

How to scan photo negatives and slides

Learn how to turn your film negatives and 35mm slides into digital images

Mobile Computing – All Formats

What to expect from 5G, the next generation of wireless networks

Never in the history of the mobile phone has there been so much hype about a new technology ahead of its launch than there is with 5G.

How to sell your old phones, laptops and tablets

Your old phones, tablets and computers don't have to sit around collecting dust in a drawer or a closet. You have a lot of options for getting rid of them and reclaiming that lost space.

How Do Foldable Phones Work, And When Will I Get One?

Foldable phones might be the strangest and most revolutionary tech of 2019. But how do these things work, and when will we get the chance to buy them?

Zuckerberg Plans to Integrate WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook Messenger

Zuckerberg is asserting his control over the company’s sprawling divisions at a time when its business has been battered by scandal.

Mobile Computing – iOS Only

Tech review: Must-have apps for iPhone, iPad

iPhones and iPads come fully loaded with a collection of world-class apps that make your mobile device super-functional. But sometimes there are better choices than these default, built-in apps. These four apps are must-haves for any iPhone or iPad user.

Apple's latest iPhone promo: Trade up to an iPhone XR from $19 a month

And Apple combines higher trade-in values with a new monthly payment option to sell more new iPhones.

How to Hide the Sidebar in the iPad News App When in Landscape Mode

If you're reading News in landscape mode on your iPad, you'll want to close the sidebar so there's more room for articles.

iOS 12.2 Beta Gives Up All Kinds of New Goodies

You know all those rumors of new AirPods 2, iPod Touches and new iPads? Looks they were all right on the money. The new developer beta for iOS 12.2 has information on all of these different devices scattered around inside of it.

Outlook's bold redesign on iOS is now available for everyone

In December, Microsoft began rolling out a refreshed interface for the Outlook app on iOS. At the start, the new look was making its to everyone slowly, but, as of today, it's now available to everyone.

Mobile Computing – Android Only

How to secure, protect, and completely lock down your Android phone

So whether you’re looking for a little extra security or a complete lockdown of your phone, here’s everything you need to keep your data from falling into the wrong hands.

Galaxy X? Galaxy F? Samsung's foldable phone faces 9 big issues

Xiaomi ups the ante with the most inventive foldable phone design we've seen.

Top 10 Android Apps of January 2019!

We've compiled a top 10 list of our favorite Android apps to hit the Play Store in January 2019.

Google Arts & Culture app gets a 'Camera' tab with all its experimental features

Google has added new features and given it a UI overhaul. There have been some fun camera-based tools like the artistic doppelganger ID and color matcher. Now, there's a new camera tab that puts them all in one place.

What Should Android “Q” be Called?

For almost every other letter in the English alphabet, there’s a solid list of delicious treats that fit under Google’s naming methodology for Android, but Q is one of the letters that does not.

How to watch Super Bowl LIII on your Android phone, tablet, TV or Chromebook

Near or far, here's how to follow all the football action in Atlanta this Sunday.

Change Your Passwords…Now!

Tech News and Opinions

Massive breach leaks 773 million email addresses, 21 million passwords

The best time to stop reusing old passwords was 10 years ago. The second best time is now.

Windows 7 versus Windows 10: Here comes the final showdown

With less than a year to a major Windows 7 support deadline, it's decision time for the PC.

It's Official: Satya Nadella Confirms Cortana Defeat

In a stunning bit of transparency, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella confirmed that Cortana will never be competitive with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. So it will instead be recast as a skill for those more popular assistants, as has long been rumored

The Smart TV Crapware Era Has Already Begun

Geeks often ask for dumb TVs. But, as the CTO of Vizio recently explained, smart TVs are cheaper than dumb TVs. TVs are so cheap that manufacturers make their profit by tracking your viewing habits and selling ads.

What US Cities Will Get 5G In 2019?

5G will revolutionize the way we use the Internet, bringing high-speed data everywhere, creating smart cities, and even replacing home Internet connections. That’s what the industry says, anyway. But when is 5G coming to your city?

What Amazon's Alexa will tell us in 2019

From Las Vegas to Chattanooga, Amazon starts the new year evangelizing all things Alexa.

Desktop and Laptop Tips and Tricks

Speed Up Google Chrome With This Tab-Reducing Extension

One Tab is a Chrome extension that allows you to in essence keep all those tabs open without actually keeping all those tabs open. It’s also available for Firefox.

Organize Your Thoughts with this Markdown Note-Taking App

From the moment you install it and fire it up, Notable is more than willing to hold your hand as you leap into the scary and unknown world of a new note-taking app.

Microsoft Office has changed, how you use it should too

Office has evolved into a mix of applications that are continually adding new features and cloud services. Time to rethink how you use it.

Brave browser tries fixing online ads so you can have nontoxic websites

The startup hopes its privacy-respecting system will clean up the toxic parts of today's ad tech so you can actually enjoy free websites again. JRC: Brave is now my #1 Web Browser on all my computers.

The Best Google Docs Add-Ons

Some add-ons increase productivity (like proofreading tools) and some add more extensive capabilities (like allowing teachers to integrate grades into students papers).

Windows 10 October 2018 Update finally shifts to automatic rollout

Microsoft will now be offering the Windows 10 October 2018 Update, 1809, to select devices in phases.

Mobile Computing – All Formats

8 Things You Should Be Automating on Your Smartphone

We live in an age of super-smart technology built to make our lives easier, so don’t struggle with the menial chores of the day when your phone could be doing the job for you.

How to stop spam calls and robocalls from destroying your life

Don't fall victim to the skyrocketing number of spam calls from insurance companies and debt collectors.

Google Maps is about to get one of Waze’s best features

Not only does Google Maps display speed limits on the navigation screen, as is the case for Waze and other navigation apps, but it’ll also alert you to upcoming speed traps. Needless to say, that’s a huge deal.

14 stunning bezel-less phones: iPhone XS, Galaxy S9 and more

Phones with very little border around their faces, such as the iPhone XS and Galaxy S9, have their displays running up right to the edges.

Smartphones With the Longest Battery Life - A 2019 Comparison

Smartphone batteries are getting larger and larger, with the promise of phones that can go all day on a single charge

Microsoft To-Do Gets Series of Updates Across Platforms

The updates introduce new features on Windows 10, Android, and iOS.

Mobile Computing – iOS Only

Fastmail, Goodnotes 5, AUM, and other iOS amazing apps of the week

The headline says it all. Some are even free!

How to password-protect any app on your iPhone or iPad

You don’t need any special apps...Or rather, you don’t need their special locks. You can easily make your own.

Apple Pay will soon work at Target, Taco Bell and others, covering 74% of top US merchants

Apple has shared the latest progress with Apple Pay rolling out to major US retailers.

iPhone XS, iPhone XR: What you need to know about Apple's Smart Battery Case

If your iPhone's battery needs a bump, the Smart Battery Case fits the bill.

Best PDF editor app alternatives to Adobe Acrobat for iOS

Looking for a free or low-cost PDF editor? You can edit PDF files, add annotations and much more -- all on your iPhone or iPad -- with our top picks.

Mobile Computing – Android Only

Popular Science's essential apps for any Android phone

If you own an Android smartphone, you'll need some essential apps to sync your files, watch movies, track your sleeping patterns, catch up on your reading, and more.

Little-known travel hack: You're leaving money on the table if you're not using Google Trips' discounts

Although discounts became available toward the end of 2017 in Trips, I've rarely seen them mentioned online. Even my colleagues didn't know about them until I brought them up a few days ago. So here's how they work, in case you've never used them before.

Best Android Puzzle Games in 2019

What are the best brain-busting puzzle games for Android?

The Android phones and features that flew and flopped in 2018

The good, the bad, and the huh?

Finally: Target Will Soon Accept Google Pay, Samsung Pay

The mega-retailer announced today that it will "soon" accept all of the major mobile payment systems, including Google Pay, Samsung Pay, and Apple Pay.

CES Final Thoughts and Some Great Tips and Tricks

Tech News and Opinions

CES 2019 Final Wrap-up: Everything we saw, from 8K TVs to amazing fake burgers

The show opened with a bombshell from Apple, closed with a surprise from Samsung and had plenty of news in between.

Best of CES 2019 Awards: Top tech of the show

CES 2019 in Las Vegas has proven to be as jam packed with amazing gadgets, TVs and other entertainment kit as other years, which makes the job of choosing our 15 favourite devices all the harder.

Apple replaced 11 million iPhone batteries in 2018, up from its usual of 1-2 million

The $29 replacement initiative was active for almost exactly a year. This means in 2018, Apple replaced as as high as 11 times the number of batteries it usually replaces in a year.

If iPhone sales are bad, Android sales are going to be much worse

Apple's first profits warning of the smartphone era signals what is likely to be tough times ahead for Android handset makers.

The reason why Vizio smart TVs are so affordable: They track your data

The vast majority of televisions available today are "smart" TVs, with internet connections, advertising placement, and streaming services built in.

How to opt in -- or out -- of Amazon's free sample program

Amazon wants you to buy more stuff, and it knows what you'll probably like -- free samples are coming.

Desktop and Laptop Tips and Tricks

Windows 10 how-to: Ed Bott's free tech support and troubleshooting guide

A curated list of the best sites for support information about Windows 10.

15 Windows 10 Run Commands Everyone Should Learn

The Windows 10 Run box is a gold mine of secret commands that many people don’t take full advantage of.

Microsoft To-Do app gains pinnable lists on Windows 10 Mobile and PC

Any To-Do list can now be pinned to the Start Menu or Start Screen on any Windows 10 device or Windows 10 Mobile Windows phone by right-clicking or performing a long press on the list name from the main app menu and selecting Pin to Start.

The best travel plug adapter

In case you plan on traveling internationally anytime soon.

Microsoft's Windows 7 has one year of free support left

Microsoft will no longer provide security updates for Windows 7 as of January 14, 2020, which is one year away. There are two ways to get around this date, but they'll cost you.

How to set up multiple monitors on Windows 10

Are you getting into a dual or triple-monitor setup? Here are several tips to configure all the displays without third-party software on Windows 10.

Mobile Computing – iOS and Android

The 8 best games for your new iPhone, iPad, or Android phone

The great thing about smartphones and tablets is that, no matter what device you get, there’s going to be some great games for it.

YouTube just changed how you navigate videos in its mobile app

The company announced it will this week roll out a new horizontal swiping gesture that lets you move forward and backward through the videos you're watching.

Organize Your Thoughts, Manage Group Projects and Create Tasks With This Free Task Manager

Taskcade is a to-do list and task manager, simplified. The interface is clean and easy to use and there are several useful features that make it a good contender in a crowded field. For PC’s, Macs, iOS and Android. FREE!

Mozilla: Open-source Thunderbird getting new look, better Gmail support, encryption

Thunderbird developers promise to make the neglected open-source email client easier to use.

5 Tips For a Better Mobile Photography Workflow

Soak up these 5 steps for better organization and management to your mobile photography workflow.

Mobile Computing – Android Only

The 10 best apps for your new Android phone

You probably have some ideas of your own, but we’ve got a bunch of suggestions, too. Here are 10 great Android apps that are definitely worth installing.

10 best writing apps for Android

There are those who prefer something like typewriters over digital word processors, but it’s nice to have those tools on your mobile phone in case inspiration strikes.

Android at CES 2019: Eight intriguing announcements you might have missed

From Google Assistant to Android TV, here are eight CES announcements that might have slipped under your radar.

The 11 Best iPhone Camera Apps for Android in 2019

Several developers make the effort to build camera apps that work not only on iOS but also on Android devices.

Samsung's foldable 'Galaxy X' phone: Everything we know so far

This will be the next big thing ... at some point. Look for it to be released in the first half of this year.

Google keeps failing to understand tablets

Google has taken over the smartphone world with Android, so there's that. But translating that operating system (OS) to tablets has been a tragic, chronic failure for Google.

Mobile Computing – iOS Only

Adobe Lightroom CC for iOS just added the shortcut Apple promised

Importing photos just got a teensy bit less ridiculous

Stop Using Your iPhone Camera Flash and Try This Easy Hack Instead

This ridiculously easy iPhone hack will take your low light mobile photos to a whole new level.

The 6 best iPhone apps for weight loss

Whether you want to count calories or learn workouts, you should keep these apps in reach.

TripAdvisor - A Great App for your Travel Needs

This travel planning app features suggestions by travel magazines and famous personalities who you can follow in the app in order to find more travel destinations that appeal to you.

How to upload and edit DSLR photos on your iPad

Importing photos to your iPad or older iPad Pro is a great way to work on them on the go, but you'll need some additional hardware.

How to block websites in Safari on iPhone and iPad

Create a safer internet for your children on iPhone and iPad.

The Best of the 2019 Consumer Electronics Show & More

Tech News and Opinions

CES 2019 Las Vegas - January 8-11

As always, the show is loaded with lots of new technology devices...along with some weird, wacky products. It is all explained here.

CES 2019 coolest new stuff: TV goes 8K, mobile goes 5G, AI is in everything and vinyl is reborn

The best gadgets, news, pics and videos from the world's biggest tech show

iPhone Sales Fears After Apple Slashes Estimates

The leaks were right. Despite Apple plans to redesign the iPhone and introduce ingenious camera technology, the company now admitted its current range has a serious problem.

Is Google Killing Android?

It looks like the company is getting ready to jettison Android altogether and switch to a new, more efficient operating system that can work across any kind of device.

Sick and disgusted: The worst tech failures of 2018

It was a rough year for the technology industry: From anxiety-inducing social networks and buggy mobile devices to glitchy operating systems and killer driverless cars, we had it all.

Windows is coming to your Chromebook

If there are a couple of Windows applications holding you back from using a Chromebook, Google will soon let you run Windows 10 on your high-end Chromebook.

Desktop and Laptop Tips and Tricks

Which apps are draining your laptop's battery? Check Windows Task Manager

The venerable Task Manager has a few new tricks.

Microsoft is making changes to how Windows 10 manages disk space

Microsoft is introducing reserved storage which refers to the storage that is to be used by apps, Windows Update, temporary files, and the system cache.

How To Enable Chrome Dark Mode On Your Windows PC Right Now

We witnessed how Google is moving forward with the idea of Dark Mode in the Chrome browser. As it happens to be, you can already turn on the Dark theme on Google Chrome right now.

The Best Resume Templates For Your 2019 Job Search

No matter what the news says about low unemployment rates, if you don't yet have your dream job, you're going to need every tool at your disposal to attract an employer's eye.

How to install, reinstall, upgrade and activate Windows 10

Here's everything you need to know before you repair, reinstall, or upgrade Windows 10, including details about activation and product keys.

How to lock your Windows 10 PC remotely

If you have lost your laptop or had it stolen while being logged in, you can use this guide to use your Microsoft account to find and lock it remotely.

How to use Windows 10's Your Phone experience

While Your Phone is designed to be so simple as to be self-explanatory, the apps still has a few quirks worth explaining.

Mobile Computing – Android and iOS

5 Tips For a Better Mobile Photography Workflow

5 quick and easy tips you will be glad to know.

5 Tips For a Better Mobile Photography Workflow

Soak up these 5 steps for better organization and management to your mobile photography workflow.

Stop Using Third-Party Weather Apps

Time and time again, weather apps—including The Weather Channel, Accuweather, and WeatherBug—have shown that they share your location data.

Best habit making/breaking apps to set you on the right path for the New Year

Habits can be made or broken if you try hard enough and have a little help from a friend.

The mobile world might finally get exciting again in 2019

From foldable phones to 5G, here's why we're looking forward to next year.

Mobile Computing – Android Only

How to Use Your Android Phone as a Flashlight

It’s dark and you need to be able to see. It’s fine—whip out your trusty Android phone and put the camera flash to work as a flashlight. Here’s how to do it.

Mac and PC users: How to read your Android phone's texts on a computer

Android users now have two new ways to read and write their text messages on their larger screens – one from Google and the other from Microsoft.

15 best Android Widgets for your home screen

There are just some things, like note taking, weather, calendar, to-do lists, etc that will always simply work better in a widget format.

5 best Craigslist apps and Craigslist browser apps for Android!

Craigslist is one of the most popular sites on the Internet. You can go there to buy and sell stuff, browse for houses, look for jobs, search for events, and basically do whatever you want.

Google Search gets new activity cards

Called “Your related activity,” these activity cards contain websites you previously clicked on during a previous search query.

Mobile Computing – iOS Only

The One App You Should Delete ASAP If Your iPad Battery Is Always Dying

It's one of the most popular apps for all computing devices. No, it is not Facebook, but that one should also be on this list.

Secret Mail shortcuts: Twelve gestures to speed up your iPhone email!

Apple's Mail app for iPhone has a ton of features you can invoke at a tap or swipe!

How to view and delete old iPhone backups in iCloud

Clear some cloud space and delete those unnecessary backups!

The Best iOS Apps You're Not Using (But Should Be)

The App Store conceals a wealth of apps that might not have gotten any widespread accolades.

Useful iOS 12 Tips and Tricks

Handy iOS 12 tips and tricks to master Apple's latest update

Apple Watch

Top 15 tips and tricks for Apple Watch 4 and watchOS 5

If you're the proud owner of a new Apple Watch 4 or you recently installed Apple's latest watchOS 5 update on an earlier model, you should know that there are several new and useful features hidden away in your smartwatch's menu screens.

Pairing and Using Apple Watch with Android: Yes! It can be done

So the team from iMore has proven that Apple Watch is somewhat working with Android. Not directly but it can answer phone calls, it can send text messages – even iMessage with Android as the main phone.

Have a new Apple Watch? Turn on these health-monitoring features

Apple Watch can be an excellent health monitor just by wearing it, but there are some opt-in features that you need to turn on to access.

The Holidays Are Over…What’s Next? CES, Of Course!

Tech News and Opinions

CES 2019: here's what you can expect from the annual tech-extravaganza

CES 2019 is almost here – and while we're sure to see some surprises, we've also had a flurry of announcements about what tech companies are planning or not planning to showcase at the huge Las Vegas convention.

14 questions CES 2019 needs to answer

As the tech world descends on Las Vegas next week, these are the issues that dominate the landscape.

The top tech stories of 2018

From Google’s scary Duplex AI to Fortnite mania, this year showed the good, bad and uncomfortable ways that tech is changing our lives.

Microsoft's wins, fails, and WTF moments of 2018

Microsoft found success in some odd places, while its more mainstream efforts fell short

Tech that died in 2018

Here’s our look at this year’s greats and "not-so-greats"—those that passed into the history books or were sent straight to null.

7 New Year's tech resolutions

New Year's tech resolutions…Follow these tips to make 2019 safer, easier, cheaper and just plain better.

Net neutrality battle heads to court in 2019

The next chapter in the ongoing struggle for an open internet will unfold in the US Court of Appeals.

Desktop and Laptop Tips and Tricks

Most Secure Web Browsers in 2019

However, browsing the Internet is turning into more of a minefield with new, more complex and more hostile malicious code coming to light. This means security takes (or at least, should take) a high priority for us all.

How to set up your new computer

Set up antivirus, clear out bloatware, and perform other tasks to keep your PC humming well into the future.

Windows Central Best of 2018: The year's best Windows 10 apps

We look at and review hundreds of applications, and we've gathered the best of 2018 to help you get the most of your Windows 10 devices.

Microsoft Edge Once Again Surpasses Chrome & Firefox In Battery Efficiency

Although Edge did extremely well when tied against Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox, the company was surprisingly quiet about the results.

The 9 best apps for your new Windows PC

If you’ve just received a new PC over the holidays, we have some favorite Windows apps that will improve your experience — and maybe your life

Stay private and protected with the best Firefox security extensions

Keep watch over your security and privacy with the Firefox add-ons designed to guard your data.

Mobile Computing – For iOS and Android

Best to-do list apps of 2019 for managing tasks on any platform

The best to-do list apps will help you organize your tasks and lists, get event reminders, and collaborate on projects with teammates.

Google Assistant will alert you if your flight is delayed

Google's helpful Assistant will proactively notify you of a flight delay and the reason behind it.

How to use Microsoft OneDrive on your iOS or Android device

The Microsoft OneDrive mobile app can help you view and manage your online files on your iPhone, iPad, or Android device. Here's how to use it.

9 best food tracking apps

These free food tracker, calorie counter, and food journal apps can help you lose weight no matter what diet you're on.

The 5 best weather apps with the most accurate forecast

The best weather apps can help with everything from forecasts and weather alerts to traffic and health-related updates.

Mobile Computing – Android

Best Android apps of 2018 for your new phone, tablet, or Chromebook

Every application in this list has been painstakingly hand-picked by yours truly, and they're all arranged by price for easy navigation.

The 56 best Android games of 2018

The headline say is all!

How to use Microsoft OneDrive on your iOS or Android device

The Microsoft OneDrive mobile app can help you view and manage your online files on your iPhone, iPad, or Android device. Here's how to use it.

24 hidden Android settings you should know about

If you own a phone that runs a different version of Android, you can still apply these settings—you just have to rummage around a little more to find them.

How to Take the Best Photos with Your Android Phone

Regardless of the prowess of your high-end smartphone, merely pointing and shooting at the scene is not the way to capture lasting memorie

How to Block Websites on Your Android Phone or Tablet

If you feel a website is inappropriate, a waste of valuable time, or disturbing in some way, you can block websites on Android using one of several apps designed to block unwanted content.

Mobile Computing – iOS

My Must-Have iOS Apps, 2018 Edition

Putting together my annual list of Must-Have iOS Apps is an exercise in analyzing the trends of the year and considering which ones had the biggest impact on how I use my iPhone and iPad.

Best iPhone screen protectors: Keep your screen flawless

Screen protectors can be a nuisance to get on your iPhone, but they’re essential for protecting your iPhone’s screen from drops and scratches

Everything you need to know to master your new iPhone

Receive a new iPhone this holiday season? Sit down, relax and read this to learn everything you can about using it

How to Set Precise Times More Quickly in the iPhone Calendar App

Here's a quick tip for setting precise times on your Calendar app that will take less than a minute to learn!

How to Sync Apple Calendar with Google Calendar

If you have a Google account, syncing your Google Calendar with your device's Apple Calendar app on your iPhone or iPad can help keep things streamlined. Here's how to do just that.

Best personal finance apps to invest in for the New Year!

Keep your budget on track and save for the future with a little help from your iPhone and iPad!