Windows To Block May 2019 Update To Computers with USB Drives

Tech News and Opinions

Microsoft blocks Windows 10 May 2019 Update on PCs that use USB storage or SD cards

Workaround: Users must remove any USB storage device and SD card and restart May 2019 Update installation.

Stores that don't exist anymore

Malls are losing their anchor stores, and many are being abandoned due to the rise of e-commerce and declining foot traffic to malls.

Kohl's to accept Amazon returns in-store this summer

You can return packages for free at your local Kohl's store starting in July. The stores will accept "eligible Amazon items," without a box or label, regardless of the reason, and ship them to Amazon for free.

Samsung delays Galaxy Fold launch after reports of screen issues

Samsung is delaying the release of the $1,980 Galaxy Fold indefinitely.
At issue, of course, is the screen breakage reported by a few of the early reviewers who were given devices a week ago.

Trump admin considers using social media to deny you benefits

The Trump administration is reportedly working in collaboration with the Social Security Administration to develop a plan for combing through social media posts for evidence — whatever that means — that those receiving certain types of government benefits should have those benefits denied.

Will Apple's TV app on Roku, Fire TV and Samsung kill the Apple TV box?

Although it doesn't work with Netflix, the TV app is a valiant attempt to simplify the confusing world of streaming. And now, for the first time, it's coming to non-Apple devices.

Desktop and Laptop Tips and Tricks

Google Chrome is getting a reader mode on desktop

The desktop version of Google Chrome’s browser is getting a reader mode, which can be used to strip out a page’s unnecessary background clutter to make an article easier to read.

Why a Chromebook isn't the same thing as a budget laptop

They may look the same, but a laptop and a Chromebook are more different than you might expect.

Best Windows backup software 2019: Free and paid options reviewed

The best programs for keeping your data and Windows safely backed up.

Windows 10's 'Sets' feature is gone and not expected to return

Sets, Microsoft's Windows-management feature which allowed users to group data, sites and other information in tabs, is gone and not expected to come back in a future release of Windows 10.

Get Organized: How to Scan Your Old Photos

It's time to free your old photos from shoeboxes and albums no one ever looks at. Scanning your photos makes them more shareable, searchable, and resistant to disasters.

How to enable Google Chrome’s new dark mode on Windows 10

While Google is enabling this new dark mode on Windows, the company hasn’t fully switched it on for all Chrome users just yet. If you don’t want to wait for Google to fully enable this, there’s a shortcut trick to force dark mode:

Google Chrome vs Mozilla Firefox in 2019: The battle of the browsers

Firefox has been rebuilt practically from the ground up -- but is it enough?

Mobile Computing – In General

11 of the best car apps you can download today

There are several car aps that have enhanced the driving experience. Some of the best car apps help you find parking spots, schedule vehicle repairs, and warn you when you're going above the speed limit.

Windows 10's 'Sets' feature is gone and not expected to return

Sets, Microsoft's Windows-management feature which allowed users to group data, sites and other information in tabs, is gone and not expected to come back in a future release of Windows 10.

5 Apps You Should Delete From Your Phone RIGHT NOW, According To Tech Experts

Most apps are amazing — you wouldn’t think twice about living without them. But once in a while apps come along that are buggy, draining on your battery, and possibly even dangerous to the security of your iPhone or Android.

8 spring cleaning apps to clear out your winter junk

You don't need Marie Kondo to declutter your house. Just get some of these apps.

Microsoft, Google Have Both Updated Their Mobile Apps for the Blind

Microsoft’s app, called Seeing AI, is available only on iOS and was first released back in 2017 but it was updated today with new capabilities.

Mobile Computing – iOS Only

How to check what apps have access to iPhone photos

Can’t remember all the apps you’ve authorized to be able to read and write to the Photos app on your iPhone? Read along below for how to check and change your apps’ Photos permissions.

4 Apps Apple Employees Say Make Your iPhone Run SO Slowly

There’s a good chance one or two (or 12)of your apps are considered battery-draining culprits that are only making your device slower

News App for iPhone and iPad: The Ultimate Guide

Are you looking for a new way to get your favorite news sources delivered to your iPhone or iPad? Try the News app!

Google Keep Now Supports the Apple Watch, Apple’s Notes Still AWOL

This ends Google’s absence from the Apple Watch platform after the search giant dropped the watchOS version of its Maps app in May 2017.

Google Fit is now available on iOS

Google announced today that Google Fit is finally expanding to iPhones. The app is available now in the Apple App Store

Permanently delete iPhone zombie apps once and for all

Zombie apps are a real problem for iPhones of every stripe. It happens when you delete an app, only to restore your latest backup or connect your iPhone to iTunes, and lo and behold, the app pops back on your home screen. What is going on?

How to Transfer Photos from PC to iOS in 7 Easy Steps with Pictures

Many people keep digital photo albums on their computer, but sometimes you might find yourself wanting to share your memories with your friends and family. However, if the images are stored only on your PC, it can be harder to quickly share them

Mobile Computing – Android Only

Android Guide: How to Use Android Effectively

This How-To Geek School course aims to teach you how to use Android effectively, showing you the most important settings and methods needed to really become an Android pro and get the most out of your device.

Delete These Sketchy Android Apps That Are Tracking You Without Permission

A recent Buzzfeed article points out that several popular Android apps available on the Google Play Store have been collecting and storing sensitive user data without encryption or permission.

15 new and notable Android apps from the last week

Here is a social podcast app, a self-driving car service app, and a tie-in release that will help you set up the newest Harmony remote

The best remote desktop tools for Android

Here, we'll go over the best options for remotely connecting to a computer from an Android device, or a Chromebook with support for Android applications.

Lost or stolen Android phone? Here's how to get it back

It can happen to anyone, but there are steps you can take to recover your lost or stolen phone.

3 Ways to Transfer Photos from Android to Computer

You can do this on both Windows and Mac computers, both through Google Photos and through a USB cable. If you use a USB cable on Mac, you will need a program called Android File Transfer.

Snapchat's rewritten Android app has now rolled out to everyone

Snapchat began rolling out its rebuilt, faster app for Android earlier this month, and now the refresh app is available to all Android users.

How Tech Will Help Rebuild Notre Dame

Tech News and Opinions

In the wake of the Notre Dame Cathedral fire, digital scans offer hope for restoration

The recently-deceased Prof. Andrew Tallon finished the painstaking work of laser scanning Paris' Notre Dame Cathedral, creating rich raw data that could potentially help in reconstruction efforts.

Apple will help fund the rebuilding of Notre-Dame de Paris

Tim Cook has tweeted a commitment that Apple will help to fund the rebuilding of Notre-Dame de Paris, the famous French cathedral which was devastated by fire on Monday. Three billionaires have also contributed 100 Million Euros each.

Opinion: Windows 10 Is Doing A Great Job Persuading People To Switch To A Different Operating System

Microsoft’s problems with updating Windows 10 have been so serious and been going on for so long that they are a good reason to consider moving to a different operating system.

Facebook, Twitter and YouTube are broken, and Congress is wasting our time

Commentary: After two days of hearings about hate speech and political censorship on the internet, we're no closer to finding solutions to tech's biggest problems.

The cord-cutting TV dream had another nightmare price hike

YouTube TV's jump to $50 monthly hurts. Could Sling TV be the feel-good cure?

Amazon's big internet plan: 3,236 satellites to beam faster, cheaper web to millions

Soon you could be buying your goods online from Amazon using the company's own satellite broadband system.

Desktop and Laptop Tips and Tricks

Two-factor authentication explained: How to choose the right level of security for every account

Got questions about security keys, authenticator apps, SMS, or iCloud? We've got all the answers

Best battery life laptops for 2019

Our current rankings of longest-lasting laptops has a few surprises.

How to clean your laptop screen and keyboard safely

Use the right cleaners, cloths and techniques to air your filthy laptop, from the screen to the vents.

Facebook still tracks you after you deactivate account

I thought deactivating my Facebook account would stop the social network from tracking me online. But Facebook kept tabs on me anyway.

How Much Internet Speed Do You Really Need?

Internet service providers always want to sell you a faster connection. But forget marketing: How much speed do you really need? The answer is more complicated than you might expect.

How to check out Microsoft's Chrome-like Edge browser for Windows 10

If you want to test an early version of Microsoft's reworked Edge browser, here's your chance.

Add Bluetooth where you had none before with Sabrent's $4 adapter

It allows you to add Bluetooth to any device that doesn't have it. JRC: I bought this device and it works perfectly on an older desktop computer.

How to do a System Restore on Windows 10 to undo problematic updates

Windows 10 has a great tool to return your PC to its previous working state. In this guide we’ll show you how to do a System Restore on Windows 10 step-by-step.

Mobile Computing – General

Delete those useless apps from your phone. Americans use only five mobile apps per day

As more apps flood the market it becomes increasingly difficult to cut through the noise in order to appeal to users. But what triggers mobile users to engage and stay active on their apps?

5 tips and tricks for Google Chrome on Android and iPhones

Because of Google's rapid-release style of app development, there's a regular flow of new features and changes that you might not be aware of.

The best mobile apps for watching video

With one of our choices for best mobile apps for streaming video, you can watch TV shows, news broadcasts, and live streams of worldwide events on your phone.

How to boost your phone's bad signal strength or poor data connection

When your Android phone or iPhone has problems connecting to the cellular or data network, these steps could help.

DOJ says T-Mobile and Sprint merger 'unlikely' to be approved

According to The Wall Street Journal, the Department of Justice isn't so keen on the impending merger.

Mobile Computing – iOS Only

Best iPhone calendar apps for 2019

Go beyond Apple Calendar and use these alternative apps on iOS to plan your day and stay organized, at home and at work

How to Configure Your iPhone to Work for You, Not Against You

The Very, Very Complete Guide to Productivity, Focus, and Your Own Longevity

How to Change Whether New iMessage Conversations Use Your Phone Number or Email Address

When you start a new iMessage conversation it might not originate from the phone number or Apple ID that you expect, causing confusion for the recipient. Here’s how to make sure new conversations use the correct phone number or email address.

Best Apple Watch tips and tricks to make your life easier

We've rounded up the best Apple Watch tips and tricks that can make your life easier.

How to call, message, and email your contacts using Siri

Siri is a digital assistant that can help you stay in touch with your favorite people! Here's everything you need to know to do just that!

How to check stocks and exchanges using Siri

Siri can look up stock prices and exchange positions for you. Whether you want to find out what's happening with APPL or GOOG, or if the DOW or NASDAQ is up or down, Siri's got you covered!

Mobile Computing – Android Only

Best Android Launchers in 2019

Want to upgrade your Android experience? Try upgrading your launcher.

Android Pie: Everything you need to know about Android 9

From new gestures to extending battery life, here's everything you need to know about Android Pie!

A budgeting feature is rolling out to Google Play

Google has a new tool to help you save money.

Play Store finally testing simultaneous app downloads

Store is seemingly in for many changes. Those changes also include simultaneous downloads.

Your Android phone can now be a security key for your Google account

Starting today, you can use any Android phone running Android 7.0 or later as a 2FA security key for your Google Account.

Google Pay can automatically integrate loyalty cards and passes from Gmail

You can now allow Google Pay to integrate things like loyalty cards, movie tickets, airline boarding passes, and more from Gmail. Once enabled, these passes will automatically appear in your Google Pay app.

The First Photo Ever of a Black Hole

Tech New and Opinions

Black hole picture, revealed: First look from across the universe

The Event Horizon Telescope captures one of the most powerful objects in existence. And basically, it's the Eye of Sauron. The technology it took to take this photo is absolutely amazing.

Google’s constant product shutdowns are damaging its brand

It's only April, and 2019 has already been an absolutely brutal year for Google's product portfolio.

Over 540 million Facebook records found on exposed AWS servers

Leak originated at two third-party companies that had collected Facebook data on their own servers.

Opinion: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram are 'garbage,' says Linux founder Torvalds

Tech pioneer Linus Torvalds says the way social media works today encourages bad behavior. "It's a disease."

Microsoft Confirms Massive Windows 10 Upgrade Changes

Windows 10 has a serious upgrade problem which is getting worse. But now Microsoft has taken decisive action in the most welcome and unexpected of ways…

Microsoft going to extreme lengths to ensure May update avoids mistakes of 1809

There'll be a month-long release preview phase, less aggressive end-user deployment, and more.

AirPower, 'Bendgate', Maps: Apple's 15 biggest flops

Lower-than-expected sales, unexpected glitches, design fails -- it doesn't always go right for Apple.

Desktop and Laptop Tips and Tricks

Do’s and Don'ts of Entering Data in Excel

Entering data correctly the first time can avoid problems later on and make it easier to use many of Excel's tools and features such as formulas and charts.

How to use Windows Photo Viewer as your default image viewer in Windows

Windows 10 introduced the shiny new Photos app as the default experience for interacting with image files on your PC

Microsoft changes how Windows 10 disconnects USB storage devices

USB storage devices will be easier to remove but will become slower.

26 incredibly useful Google Calendar tips

Upgrade your agenda with this cornucopia of advanced options, shortcuts, and features for Google Calendar.

Laptop vs. Chromebook: Picking the best computer for you

They might look the same, but they are definitely different.

8 ways to take screenshots in Windows 10

Capture all -- or just part -- of your screen with a few keystrokes.

Microsoft Is Closing Its Ebook Store and Taking the Books With It

All books will be deleted from the giant's cloud, including ones purchased by users, by July 2019. Those purchases will be met with a full refund.

Mobile Computing – in General

10 ways to download and read books online for free

Why shell out when you can read hundreds of novels without paying a dime?

When Can Headphones and Earbuds Damage Your Hearing?

Conversations about headphone-induced hearing loss have faded away, but headphones and earbuds still post a serious risk to your ears. How loud is too loud, and how do you protect your ears without giving up music?

Google Duplex launching for iOS and Android devices

Google Duplex, the voice assistant that sounds remarkably human, is making its way to more devices. The new Google Assistant feature for booking restaurant reservations is rolling out for more Android and iOS devices in the US.

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 definitive guide to stopping robocalls on your mobile phone

How to stamp out the annoying mobile calls with robocall-blocking software on your Android or iPhone.

Mobile Computing – iOS Only

How to move apps and create app folders on any iPhone model

Rather than flipping through page after page of disorganized icons, you can store all of your social media apps in one folder and your games in another.

How to sync your iPhone and iPad: Email, photos, texts, and more

If you own more than one iOS device — such as an iPhone and an iPad— It doesn't take long to recognize the value in having access to all the same information on all of your devices.

Best iPhone calendar apps for 2019

Go beyond Apple Calendar and use these alternative apps on iOS to plan your day and stay organized, at home and at work.

The 5 best things about the new iPad Mini

But the idea of a small iPad isn't crazy. Neither is choosing this iPad Mini in particular. In fact, it has some advantages you might want to consider.

How to choose between iPad, iPad mini, iPad Air, and iPad Pro

Figuring out which Apple-made tablet is best for you can be confusing. That there are a bunch of models out there make it hard. That most of them look similar makes it even more difficult to shop with confidence.

Apple News Plus: 6 tips to use Apple's new magazine subscription service

Apple's premium news service is affordable and easy to set up.

Mobile Computing – Android Only

Google Assistant offers livelier search results on Android

Google is rolling out an update to Assistant on Android that provides more detailed (not to mention more vivid) info cards when you ask certain questions.

Android ecosystem of pre-installed apps is a privacy and security mess

An academic study that analyzed 82,501 apps that were pre-installed on 1,742 Android smartphones sold by 214 vendors concluded that users are woefully unaware of the huge security and privacy-related threats that come from pre-installed applications.

Best Android Messaging Apps in 2019

Communicating on your phone has gone far beyond simple SMS messages and voice calls.

How to change your Android clock to 24-hour time

There are a lot of reasons why you may want to switch to 24-hour time, and whatever they are, this is how you do it on an Android phone.

Video: Android Q Beta 2 First Look!

After putting together a growing list of changes to Android Q that arrived with the new beta 2 build, we figured a video tour of the fun was needed.

Special Edition: Email Tips for your Computers & Phones

Tech News and Opinions

Google adds for 4 new features to Gmail on its 15th birthday

Gmail has come a long way. To celebrate 15 years of the mail, Google announced some nifty new features.

Office Depot rigged PC malware scans to sell unneeded $300 tech support

Office Depot and its software supplier have to pay $35 million toward refunds.

YouTube Executives Ignored Warnings, Let Toxic Videos Run Rampant

Proposals to change recommendations and curb conspiracies were sacrificed for engagement, staff say.

Why should you buy Apple TV channels over Amazon or Roku?

Apple is trying to turn its TV app into the home for all your video services. Think about it as the TV bundle of the digital age—although there are still a lot of questions about what that will look like.

Apple Card's fine print: 7 things we learned about Apple's new iPhone credit card

We dove into the fine print to see what kind of details we could uncover about Apple's major disruptor payment card. Like all credit cards, there are ins and outs to know when choosing the right one for you.

Apple apologizes for continued reliability problems with its MacBook keyboards

It’s time for a new keyboard design on Apple’s laptops

How to watch baseball without cable for the 2019 MLB season

Between MLB.TV and streaming services like Sling TV, YouTube TV and Fubo TV, cord cutters have more options for following their favorite teams than ever

Desktop and Laptop Tips and Tricks

How to Schedule Emails With Gmail's New Feature

You no longer have to rely on third-party Chrome extensions to schedule out your messages.

Gmail Tips to Master Your Inbox From Google’s Productivity Expert

Just because companies like Microsoft and Slack are competing to eat Gmail’s lunch doesn’t mean the old dog is done learning new tricks.

How to create, filter, and format tables in Excel

Tables give you options plain old spreadsheets can't.

Windows 10 1903 update nears: Microsoft removes another barrier to its release

With April now here, Microsoft is gearing up to release the Windows 10 April Update or version 1903, which it's been testing with Windows Insiders for months.

Update WinRAR Now to Protect Your PC From Attacks

Do you have WinRAR installed on your Windows PC? Then you’re probably vulnerable to attack. RARLab patched a dangerous security bug at the end of February 2019, but WinRAR doesn’t automatically update itself.

5 things you can do in 5 minutes to boost your internet privacy

It's time to break out of some bad habits before they come back to bite you

Mobile Computing – In General

The 10 best smartphones you can buy right now

It's easy to find a great phone today. In fact, current flagship devices are so good you really don't need to be replacing them every year.

5 best ways to check your credit score from your phone or laptop

It's important to know your credit score all year round, not just when you make a down payment.

How to set up emergency location sharing on Android and iOS

Two minutes of simple setup, and your smartphone could save your life

The best wireless charger to buy right now

Wireless charging pads aren’t a new invention, but with Apple finally jumping on the bandwagon with the iPhone X and iPhone 8, the entire category has suddenly become much more important.

Keep your photos safe in the cloud with the best online photo storage for 2019

Your phone can store only so many photos. Even if it holds thousands of images, you'll be glad to have a backup should you misplace it. And cloud storage is cheap, convenient, and capacious.

5 tips & tricks to get the most out of Spotify on Android and iPhones

Optimize your downloads, cast your tunes, wield voice commands, and more.

Mobile Computing – iOS Only

Tips to Optimize Email on your iPhone or iPad

You may not have realized everything you can do to read, compose, and organize your email. You can also swiftly update your contacts and calendar with items from email, and get notified of important messages.

Best iPads (2019): Which New iPad Should You Actually Buy?

Choosing an iPad is more complicated than it needs to be, but we're here to help.

Apple News Plus: 7 tips to use Apple's new magazine subscription service

The new premium magazine service from Apple is cheap and easy to use.

A Complete List of All the Magazines Available for Apple News+ in the U.S.

Below, you will find the complete list of all 251 magazines that are available for Apple News+ in the United States.

Top 10 iOS apps of March 2019!

We've compiled a top 10 list of our favorite iOS apps to hit the App Store in March 2019. There are some good ones here.

How to Back Up Your iPhone and iPad

Creating an iPhone or iPad backup should be routine for most users, as it's a simple procedure and the easiest way to recover your data if your device is replaced, lost or stolen.

Mobil Computing – Android Only

Spark Mail for Android is Now Available!

If you have been waiting for Spark Mail before making a switch, the time has now come. The popular iOS and Mac email app has been released on Android for all to use. JRC: This is my e-mail app of choice for all my Apple Devices. Excellent!!

Smart Compose for Gmail is now available on all Android devices

Smart Compose is a useful Gmail feature that’s arriving on all Android devices starting today. By following your writing patterns and language used, Gmail can automatically generate your frequently used phrases as you type.

The best Google Inbox (Inbox by Gmail) alternatives for Android

The death of Inbox by Gmail is a particularly hard one to swallow for fans of Google’s alternative email service. It’s easy to understand the frustration, as Inbox offered a variety of unique features.

With Walmart Voice Order you can shop for groceries via Google Assistant

You'll soon be able to say "Hey Google, talk to Walmart" to any Assistant device and it will start a grocery order for you.

Moto G7 and Moto G7 Power Review: Still the best affordable Android phones money can buy

These phones are aimed at the budget conscious consumer.

Get $200 off a Samsung phone with a busted device - Android Authority

The Samsung Galaxy S10, Galaxy S10 Plus, and Galaxy S10e phones might be three of the best Android phones available, but they aren’t cheap. The good news is that Samsung now gives you a $200 trade-in credit for any Android or iOS device.

Apple Sets Sail in All New Directions

What Apple Announced

Apple event 2019: Everything just announced

What's been announced thus far about Apple's TV programming and service, credit card, game subscription service and more. 

Apple Card: After mocking credit cards, Apple creates one 

The new Apple Card exists both as a virtual and a laser-etched physical card. 

Apple TV app coming to Macs, smart TVs in 2019

Apple's video streaming service will extend beyond iPhones, iPads and Apple TV. It's also coming to Roku and Amazon Fire Sticks. 

Apple TV+ paid service: The company's latest big bet

Apple is making a big move into video streaming because the company can't afford to fall even further behind. Here's what's at stake. 

Apple News Plus is a $9.99-per-month on-demand service for news junkies 

Get all the articles you want from select publishers. 

Apple Arcade wants to become the Xbox and PlayStation of mobile gaming

Apple's come up with a new way to play video games on our phones. But at what price? 

Apple quietly announces 10.5-inch iPad Air and refreshed iPad mini

The company decided to quietly roll out not one, but two new iPads ahead of the big Monday event

Other Tech News and Opinions

Bill That Would Restore Net Neutrality Moves Forward Despite Telecom’s Best Efforts to Kill it

Last minute attempts to weaken the proposal failed as bill now moves toward a showdown in the House and Senate. 

Report: Facebook faces criminal probe for sharing user data

A grand jury has subpoenaed records from at least two prominent device OEMs that had data-sharing agreements with Facebook, according to the New York Times. 

Windows 7 versus Windows 10: Here comes the big push

The clock is ticking on Windows 7, which means those last-minute Windows 10 upgrade projects are picking up momentum. 

A first look at Microsoft’s new Chromium-powered Edge browser

While the previously leaked screenshots made Edge look very similar to Chrome, Microsoft is adding its own touches and animations to make it look and feel like a Windows browser. 

Cord cutting: A beginner's guide

Instead of paying upwards of $100 per month for a bloated channel bundle, you can replace it with streaming TV services—and perhaps an TV antenna—at a fraction of the cost. 

These are the 12 most common phishing email subject lines cyber criminals use to fool you

Analysis of over 360,000 phishing emails reveals some common themes in phony emails sent to businesses. Don't get caught out by these ones 

Desktop and Laptop Tips and Tricks

When Windows users switch to Macs: Essential software and handy tools

Jason Perlow is becoming a corporate Mac user. What does he need to get started? 

The Windows 10 calculator will soon be able to graph math equations

The graphing mode is the first open-source suggestion to be chosen. 

Windows 10 setup and configuration secrets for experts

Award-winning technology writer Ed Bott of The Ed Bott Report has mastered the ins and outs of the Windows 10 set-up process so that you can too. 

How to Set Up Your Own Website the Easy Way

It’s never been easier to set up your own website—and you’ve never had more options. Here’s what you need to know to get that website up and running. 

Firefox 66 is out: Block on auto-playing video with sound, Windows Hello support

Firefox 66 will automatically prevent autoplay videos with sound from playing unless users want them to. 

How to Select and Close Multiple Chrome or Firefox Tabs at Once

Closing browser tabs one by one is a pain. Chrome and Firefox let you select tabs on your address bar, and you can quickly close those tabs with a keyboard shortcut or your mouse. 

Mobile Computing – All Operating Systems

Best Kindle 2019: Reviews and buying advice

Amazon offers their Kindle e-readers with features and prices to suit the taste of any bookworm. We’ll help you pick the one that’s perfect for you. 

How to download books to your Kindle

Filling your Amazon Kindle with books is just a few clicks away. 

Social Media Is Bad, So Here Are 7 Other Apps to Use On Your Phone

Here are seven app categories we’ve picked out that are a better use of your downtime than scrolling through posts from people you don’t even like that much. 

Simplify Your Life With the Best Minimal Apps for Your Phone

Life is complicated enough without apps that are weighed down with features you don’t need. Make your smartphone an oasis of calmness, tranquility, and elegant design choices with our picks for the best minimalist apps of the moment 

Call of Duty: Mobile game app coming to Android and iOS

The app and any future updates are free, according to the game's website. 

9 outdoor activity apps to find an adventure with your family in spring 2019

Explore the great outdoors with your loved ones and start an adventure with these apps. 

Mobile Computing – iOS

iOS 12.2 is Available Now with Apple News+ and More

When Apple says something is “available now,” it doesn’t play around. iOS 12.2 is available on all compatible devices now, and it includes the new News+ service (along with some other stuff). 

Firefox is now a better iPad browser

Mozilla today announced a new iOS version of Firefox that has been specifically optimized for Apple’s iPad. 

Your Phone Needs Spring Cleaning, Too—Here Are 5 Things That Could be Slowing You Down

Curious how to spring clean your smartphone? Here’s a step-by-step guide to get you started on a cleaner, smarter device. 

How to Use the iPad Calendar

The iPad's built-in Calendar app may appear simple, but it is hiding some very powerful features. 

Apple updates Shortcuts for iOS with Notes integration, new actions, more

The update includes improvements to existing Shortcuts actions, as well as new tools for creating Shortcuts that integrate the Notes app. 

Mobile Computing – Android

Android Smartphone Running Slow? Try Deleting the App Cache

Clearing out the app caches—where apps store temporary files and other data—can be just as effective as a full-on factory reset for restoring your device’s performance and responsiveness. 

Microsoft Launcher and Your Phone: Bringing Windows to Android

Way back when, Steve Ballmer talked about "Three screens and the cloud". With its latest tools, Microsoft has finally delivered on that vision. 

Best Android Phones Under $300 in 2019

You can get a lot of phone for $300 or less these days. Motorola has been a leading name in midrange options for years, but there are other great options to consider from brands like Huawei and Nokia, too. 

Opera browser for Android adds free built-in unlimited VPN services 

The built-in VPN creates a private, encrypted connection between your phone and the server with a 256-bit encryption algorithm. The encryption hides your physical location and because you don't have to log in, the VPN server doesn't retain any activity data. 

Android 101: how to organize your home screen

There are essentially two steps to making sense of all of those Android apps: find a way to organize them and periodically remove all of the extra apps that you’ve accumulated and no longer use.

Facebook Exposes Millions of Passwords in Plain Text

Tech News and Opinions

Facebook passwords by the hundreds of millions sat exposed in plain text

The social network plans to notify all those users whose passwords were not encrypted on its internal servers.

Apple March 2019 Special Event Preview

Apple will be holding a special event on March 25, 2019, at the Steve Jobs Theater at Apple Park, in Cupertino California.

Next for Windows 10: What to expect from the April 2019 Update

The next big feature update for Windows 10 is right around the corner. Here's why this update might be different from its predecessors.

The World Wide Web turns 30: our favorite memories from A to Z

Over the past 30 years, major portions of the web have come and gone. They’ve made us laugh and cringe, let us waste time and find friends, and reshaped the world in the process.

House Dems plan April vote on net neutrality bill

"Supporting this bill means supporting our democracy, ensuring that the voices of the public are heard, their will is respected and the internet remains free and open to all," Speaker Nancy Pelosi said.

Google unveils Stadia cloud gaming service at GDC 2019

Describing it as a platform for everyone, Pichai talked up Google’s ambitions to stream games to all types of devices.

Two-thirds of all Android antivirus apps are frauds

The anti-virus testing lab tested 250 apps. Only 80 of them passed the tests

Desktop and Laptop Tips and Tricks

Google Tasks' new bigger role: It can manage all your reminders, to-dos, lists

Google will now prompt you to put all your reminders in the Tasks app.

Mozilla launches its free, encrypted file-sharing service

The service allows web users to share files up to 2.5 GB in size through the browser, while protecting them with end-to-end encryption and a link that automatically expires to keep the shared files private.

Firefox can now block the web’s autoplaying videos

The latest version of Firefox lets you block videos that autoplay with sound around the web. The setting can be turned on in Firefox 66 across every website.

How to move your notes and other stuff out of Evernote

Looking to migrate to OneNote, Zoho Notebook, or Simplenote? Here’s how

Microsoft releases Windows Defender extensions for Chrome and Firefox

The feature, which used to be an Edge exclusive, keeps PCs safe by opening web pages not included in administrators' trusted sites in a virtual container.

What to Do When Your Computer Won't Start

If your computer won't start, don't panic (yet). Here are some troubleshooting steps to take when your computer fails to boot correctly.

Can Excel show the column headers on every screen? How to freeze panes and split screens

Nn Excel it’s called Freezing Panes, which can be applied to columns or rows (or both), and it’s super-simple.

Mobile Computing – in General

8 gardening apps to activate your green thumb in spring 2019

Use these gardening and landscaping apps to keep your lawn healthy, figure out the right stuff to plant and get alerts so your hard work doesn't go to waste.

8 spring cleaning apps to clear out your winter junk

You don't need Marie Kondo to declutter your house. Just get some of these apps.

How to use Alexa to get ready for vacation

Alexa can help you have a better trip with these tips.

How to Pack Your Electronics for Air Travel

This isn’t just a question of TSA compliance; this is a question of convenience. If you plan to bring a bunch of large electronics on your next vacation, you need to be able to organize them in your carry-on bag.

Google Drive users: This is your new Android, iOS makeover for faster file access

Google has redesigned Google Drive to give users access to information with fewer taps.

Mobile Computing – iOS Only

Opinion: Why today’s iPad lineup is the strongest in years

With the introduction of the new iPad mini and the new iPad Air, the iPad is now Apple’s most coherent and complete product line

Opinion: Buy the iPad instead of a MacBook

iPad Pro which is definitely a game changer; it can do so much more compared to the previous iPads.

Gboard iOS keyboard update brings handy translate feature to iPhone and iPad

Gboard has received a new update today that has added the useful Google Translate functionality to the third-party keyboard for iPhone and iPad.

How to Rearrange Tabs in the Safari App on Your iPhone

If you're like me you have a lot of tabs open in the Safari app on your iPhone—of articles you want to come back to, recipes you plan to try later, or an online shopping cart where you're not ready to check out.

How to Add a Photo to a Contact in the iPhone Contacts App

Trust me, it's a great feature to use so you don't talk to your cousin Ellie thinking she's your coworker Elaine.

Mobile Computing – Android

Android Weekly: What’s Coming in Android Q

The Q beta landed with all sorts of new features, Vivo showed off a portless phone, and Google killed a bunch of services.

SwiftKey on Android now lets you set Google as its search engine

SwiftKey is Microsoft’s own keyboard-alternative for Android. It allows users to replace their default keyboard with Microsoft’s own, providing a unique set of customisation options and a different feel, to suit different tastes.

New Android adware found in 200 apps on Google Play

Security researchers have found a new kind of mobile adware hidden in hundreds of Android apps, and downloaded more than 150 million times from Google Play.

The best Android smartphones you can buy right now (Spring 2019)

With all the choices available, trying to find the best smartphone an be like looking for a needle in a haystack. To help you out, we've compiled a short list of the best Android phones you can buy, from low-end budget devices to premium flagships.

How to set up an iCloud email account on Android

There's no need to abandon your iCloud email address when you get a new Android device.

Apple Watch Tips and Tricks

The 8 Apple Watch features that surprised me

The Apple Watch Series 4 is Apple's best watch yet. And in using it over the past several days, I've stumbled upon features that surprised me initially but that I've come to appreciate.

How to set the default weather, stock, and world clock for your Apple Watch

Can't find how to set your default weather, stock, or world clock on Apple Watch? Here's how!

How to Use Your Apple Watch as a Walkie-Talkie

I didn't use walkie-talkies much as a kid, but now with this feature on Apple Watch I can indulge in a slightly more futuristic way. Here's a general overview on how to use Walkie-Talkie on Apple Watch.

Windows Laptop vs Chromebook…Which Might Be for You?

Tech News and Opinions

U.S. Democrats unveil legislation to reinstate net neutrality rules

Democrats in Congress unveiled a bill to reinstate net neutrality rules repealed by the Federal Communications Commission under U.S. President Donald Trump, the latest salvo in a more than decade-long battle over how to regulate internet traffic.

The Web turns 30: Dream or nightmare?

Thirty years ago, Sir Tim Berners-Lee first proposed what would become the web, and the world would never be the same.

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?

13 Home Office Upgrades You Need If You Work Remotely

These upgrades pay for themselves in health, happiness, and productivity.

With huge changes looming, should you avoid buying new Macs?

Rumors that Apple is planning an architecture switch away from Intel chips to its own silicon have been circulating for some time now, but recent reports suggest that Apple's revamping will be widespread, and bring even tighter integration between iPhone, iPad, and the Mac.

Amazon will close all of its U.S. pop-up stores

Since 2015, Amazon has increased their physical presence by opening pop-up stores across the globe. Now, all 87 locations are set to close by April 2019. These pop-ups were located inside Whole Foods, Kohl’s and large malls.

Desktop and Laptop Tips and Tricks

15 Essential Chrome Extensions for Staying Productive in 2019

These are Chrome’s best extensions for saving time, getting organized, and eliminating distractions while browsing the web

27 Great Sites To Waste Your Time On

Sometimes you want a break from being productive, and having a list of sites that can provide some distraction is good to have around.

Windows 10 tip: When you should (and shouldn't) pause updates

If you're too busy to deal with the latest Windows 10 update right now, just hit Pause to delay Windows Update for up to five weeks. This option even cancels pending updates, leaving you free to keep working without fear of interruption.

Google warns users to immediately update Chrome browser after critical bug discovered

Justin Schuh, Chrome’s security engineer chief warned users to update Chrome “like right this minute” on Twitter, declaring it a Public Service Announcement.

USB 4 will help your PC, phone and gadgets get along in 2020

The all-purpose connector will be more powerful and (eventually) less confusing.

iPad Pro 2018 vs. Surface Pro 6: Which tablet is the best laptop replacement?

Apple's and Microsoft's top tablets have the performance of a laptop, but can they do everything you need? Here's how to find out.

Mobile Computing – All Operating Systems

Chromebooks vs. Windows laptops: Buying advice to help you decide

In the fight between a Google Chrome OS-powered Chromebook and a Microsoft Windows PC, it boils down to cost versus convenience.

5 Google Maps tips and tricks to make you an expert navigator

Despite Google Maps being so far beyond all other competition in terms of monthly active users, the company still works regularly to make this app not just a navigator, but also a tour guide and a commuting guru.

How to Enable Dark Mode Nearly Everywhere It's Available Right Now

Dark mode can make software easier on the eye, give you a refreshing change from the norm, and even save on battery life if you’re using an OLED display

5 tips & tricks to get the most out of Spotify on Android and iPhones

Optimize your downloads, cast your tunes, wield voice commands, and more

Mobile Computing – iOS Only

6 new uses for your old iPad

Getting a new tablet? Before you sell the old one, consider putting it to use in other ways.

Spectre is a new iOS camera app that uses AI to create stunning long exposures

Spectre isn’t just about long shutter speeds: it’s using AI and computational photography to produce enhanced long exposures without the usual distractions.

How to change your Apple ID and email address

Need to change the email address associated with your Apple ID? Here's how.

Opinion: Buy the iPad instead of a MacBook

iPad Pro which is definitely a game changer; it can do so much more compared to the previous iPads.

iOS 12.2 Public Beta 4 Is Now Available: What's new?

Apple is close to releasing the latest iOS 12.2 to the public. At present, the iOS 12.2 beta 4 has been pushed to the developers and there are notable updates.

Mobile Computing – Android Only

Slow rollout begins for Windows 10 Android screen mirroring

Microsoft previously revealed that users will eventually have access to full Windows 10 Android smartphone mirroring via its Your Phone app. Over the past few months, it’s slowly doled out features to the app, but now it looks like the promised smartphone mirroring is finally here.

Get Spotify Premium and Hulu for just $10 each month

Spotify already had a good thing going by bundling Spotify Premium and Hulu for $12.99 each month. Now, the music streaming service sweetened the deal even more by no longer charging extra for a Hulu subscription.

Use your hole punch cameras with these Galaxy S10 and S10+ wallpapers

The hole-punch camera cutouts on the Samsung Galaxy S10 and S10+ is something you can love or hate, but if you have to look at it every day, you might as well play into it with a fun wallpaper that fits it perfectly!

These true wireless earbuds are just $65

Like the Galaxy Buds, Brio True Wireless Earbuds are compact and cordless. They boast an IP67 rating, making them sweat and waterproof, and utilize Bluetooth 5.0, so your connectivity will never lag or drop.

5 Android apps you shouldn't miss this week!

The headline says it all.

Websites That Might Be Better Than Craigslist.

Tech News and Opinions

The Best Websites Like Craigslist For All Your Needs

Whether you’re merely looking for a short-term loan or to post your ad both online and in print circulation, here are our top picks for the six best Craigslist alternatives for online classifieds.

Amazon launches Amazon Day pick a day delivery service

The initiative is called "Amazon Day." Customers can also switch around their Amazon Day from week to week if their ideal delivery date changes.

Apps sending sensitive data to Facebook, including sexual activity

The privacy policies of the apps concerned do not make clear the extent of the data-sharing, often not mentioning Facebook at all.

How to spot fake Amazon reviews

Two handy tools can help you determine if all those gushing reviews are the real deal.

Bill Gates Reveals The 10 Breakthrough Technologies That Will Change The World in 2019

MIT Technology Review creates the list every year, highlighting where it feels technological developments will most impact on human life, during the coming year.

5G is here...But it'll cost you

We know this much: 5G won't be cheap. The networking technology has long been hailed as a game-changer that will serve as a foundation for everything from telemedicine to self-driving cars to augmented reality. Carriers are spending billions of dollars to build out 5G networks.

Desktop and Laptop Tips and Tricks

How to rip (copy) Blu-ray and other movies, so you can stream and archive them

There's no media that can't be backed up—including Ultra HD Blu-ray. Whether it's worth the hassle is another matter.

Why Does Windows 10 Update So Much?

Updates normally happen automatically in the background, so let’s demystify that: Here’s what Windows is installing and when.

Why I chose Brave as my Chrome browser replacement

Brave is based on Chromium, and soon even Microsoft’s Edge. That means each of those browsers supports Chrome extensions and provides performance comparable to — or, in the case of Brave, faster than — Google’s Chrome.

How to set up a VPN for increased security and privacy

Virtual private networks (VPNs) can offer an additional layer of security and privacy. Whether you’re working on a public Wi-Fi network and want to escape prying eyes, or you’re worried about privacy in general, a VPN can offer a lot of benefits

Firefox to add Windows Hello for password-free logins at supported websites

Firefox users on Windows 10 will be able to sign into certain websites via fingerprint, face or PIN.

Best free email alternatives to Microsoft Outlook for Windows

Office 365 may be too expensive and Microsoft Outlook too feature-rich for your needs. Here are the best free email alternatives to Microsoft Outlook for Windows.

Mobile Computing – All Versions

How to buy the best SD card for your camera, phone, tablet

Memory card speed, class, and capacity differences explained.

Five phone cameras? Three? Galaxy S10, PureView, Xperia take different tacks

The escalating number of cameras on phones sure seems like it's getting out control. But there's a method to the madness.

Wi-Fi 6 explained: What you need to know about the next generation of wireless networking

Everything you need to know about Wi-Fi 4, Wi-Fi 5 and Wi-Fi 6.

Rid your desk of clutter and keep your headphones safe with nearly 50% off this stand

Have your fancy headphones on display, easily accessible, and out of precarious positions.

Anker's must-have 3-in-1 cable just dropped back down to $11

There's never such a thing as having too many cables, especially when they are universal like this one and work for just about any gadgets you may have laying around.

Mobile Computing – iOS

Best email apps for your iPhone and iPad in 2019

Apple's Mail app can get the job done, but there are many better alternatives out there. Here's a roundup of the best email apps for your iOS device!

Siri Shortcuts: How to automate tasks on the iPhone via voice or a tap

The Siri Shortcuts feature that Apple launched last fall as part of iOS 12 has always had oodles of potential. And for some of you this feature, which lets you use your voice to automate a string of tasks or routines, may have just gotten a whole lot more useful.

7 Things You Didn’t Know You Could Delete From Your iPhone For Better Battery Life NOW

In general, the apps you use the most tend to drain your battery the most. But some apps are far worse than others.

How to Keep Your Apple AirPods From Slipping Out of Your Ears

Do Apple's AirPods fall out of your ear or hurt after you wear them? Don't give up. Here are a few DIY fixes and earhook solutions to get the AirPods to stay in your ear.

iOS 12 annoyances, and how to fix them

You don't have to dig deep into iOS 12 before you start finding some pretty big annoyances. Here is a selection of the biggest ones, along with how to fix them.

Mobile Computing – Android

5 ways to tidy up your Android phone, inspired by Marie Kondo

The cleaning guru's home-tidying tips can work just as well on your phone.

Surprise, Opera's free VPN is back! Here's how to get it on your Android phone

When Opera announced that it was shutting down its VPN app for iOS and Android last year, it appeared as though it was gone forever. Apparently, Opera thought better of that idea, because it’s bringing its VPN back.

10 Google Chrome Problems and How to Fix Them

Both the active community surrounding Chrome and Google themselves provide both well documented solutions and guidance to address your Google Chrome problems and get it back up and running.

5 tips and tricks for Google Chrome on Android and iPhones

Because of Google's rapid-release style of app development, there's a regular flow of new features and changes that you might not be aware of.

Get an early look at dark mode in Chrome for Android

Android Q will feature a system-wide dark mode, so Google's developers are busily preparing dark versions of all its native apps – including Chrome.

Meet the New Windows Office App–Its Free!

Tech News and Opinions

Apple to combine iPhone, iPad, and Mac apps by 2021, says Bloomberg

Apple already revealed part of this work, codenamed Marzipan, last year at the company’s Worldwide Developer Conference. Apple has started bringing iOS versions of Home, Stocks, News, and Voice Memo apps to macOS 10.14 Mojave.

Windows 10: New study shows Home edition users are baffled by updates

How annoying are Windows 10's automatic updates? In a new study, a group of UK researchers report that users of Home edition experience unexpected restarts and inconsistent installation times, caused by inappropriate defaults and inadequate notice of pending updates.

Galaxy S10, Galaxy Fold launch: 5 phones, smartwatches, new headphones and more

Here are all the official details about Samsung's much-hyped new Galaxy Fold, its raft of Galaxy S10 models, and all the new accessories that go with them.

NASA Celebrates Earth's Incredible Natural Beauty With Free Photo Book

If you ever need reminding just how incredible and unique Earth really is, then bury yourself in this wonderful treat from NASA that shows our planet in all its natural glory.

Gain access to an entire library with 3 months of Kindle Unlimited for $1

Amazon is offering new subscribers a 3-month Kindle Unlimited Trial for only $0.99 right now. This service usually costs $9.99 per month.

Desktop and Laptop Tips and Tricks

Microsoft launches new Office app for Windows 10

It’s a free app that will be preinstalled with Windows 10 or downloaded from the Microsoft Store, and you don’t need an Office 365 subscription to use it.

What’s New in Chrome 73, Arriving March 12

Chrome 73 is set to hit the stable channel on March 12, 2019. Google’s new browser update features the beginnings of a built-in dark mode, tab grouping, media key support, and more picture-in-picture powers.

Microsoft’s new Chrome extension lets you resume browsing across Windows 10 devices

Microsoft has released its own official Chrome extension for Windows Timeline. Dubbed Web Activities, the extension will sync and show your Chrome browsing history across Windows 10 devices so you can use the built-in Timeline viewer.

How to Transfer a Windows 10 License to Another Computer

If you’ve ever built a computer and purchased a Windows license, you probably don’t want to buy another license for your next one. With the slmgr command, it’s possible to deactivate your old PC and then activate a new one.

Download Coloring Pages From Over 100 Museums

Along with three previous annual collections, there are now 396 PDF coloring books you can print out. Here are some of our favorites.

How to use Google Drive cloud storage in a desktop web browser

This service's web app has a lot of utility, if you know where to look.

Mobile Computing – All Versions

How to free up space on your phone with Google Photos' unlimited backup service

f you shoot a lot of pictures and videos on your phone, it’s all too easy to run out of space. Thankfully, the Google Photos can help: it offers unlimited photo storage in the cloud – both for iOS and Android devices

Samsung Galaxy S10E vs. iPhone XR: comparison, specs, how to choose

On specs alone, the Galaxy S10E looks like a contender. But as always, your choice of operating system will probably trump specs.

How to stop Facebook from tracking your location

Facebook is notorious for capturing user data to create profiles that advertisers can target. You can stop the Facebook mobile app from tracking your location completely, or allow it to do so only when you’re using the app.

Why you should be excited for foldable phones — and why you shouldn't

You have a couple of months to think about whether you want to spend roughly $2,000 on this baby.

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 – iOS Only

How To Connect Your iPhone or iPad to Your TV

Your iOS devices are great media players, but sometimes you want to watch on a big screen. Here's how to connect your iPhone or iPad to your TV.

Apple reveals how to be an expert photographer through these neat tricks

Got yourself the latest iPhone and want to learn how to fully utilize the camera and photo features? You're going to like what Apple just released on their YouTube channel.

Get the Most Out of Your Kindle iOS App

The Kindle app lets you read your ebooks purchased on Amazon, of course, but it has other useful functions you might not know about

How to use iCloud.com to access mail, contacts, calendars, photos, and more

iCloud.com lets you connect to your iCloud services from any web browser. Here's how you can use it.

How to Scan Documents on an iPhone Using the Notes App

You can scan documents using the Notes app! That's right — you can scan and save important documents such as checks, legal documents, and photos

Mobile Computing – Android Only

It’s finally here: New free app lets you use iMessage on Android

Third-party developers have been working for so long to find a usable way to bring iMessage to Android, but they’ve all failed… until now.

Brave Browser uses 35% less power than Chrome for Android

The advantage comes through blocking ads, and the test was on ad-heavy websites.

Microsoft brings some of its Hololens smarts to Android

Hololens 2 may be right around the corner, but before then Microsoft is giving Android users a spin on its Mixed Reality platform.

Everything Samsung announced at its Galaxy Unpacked 2019 launch event

Samsung’s much-anticipated Galaxy Unpacked 2019 event came and went, and although we had a good idea in advance of what to expect, we now know for sure what the Korean tech titan has been cooking up.

Folding Screens, 5G Phones, and AR Advances Unveiled at MWC 2019

This is the most interesting tech at this year's big mobile showcase in Spain, including folding phones, 5G handsets, and almost-notchless wonders.