Quick Links I’ve covered smartphones for most of my career, yet there were years when I carried a dumbphone instead. I thought I had grown to hate smartphones. Turns out, it was just the algorithms I couldn’t stand. I Became Fed Up With Smartphone Apps I got my start as a tech journalist during the smartphone boom of the early 2010s. Each new phone was exciting, as were the new versions of Android and iOS that ran them....
Quick Links YouTube Music has been hosting podcasts for some time, but I’ve only recently started building my podcast library. Is YouTube Music a good platform to manage your podcast collection? Here’s all you need to know. How to Access Podcasts on YouTube Music Accessing podcasts through the YouTube Music app is easy. You can search for podcasts directly through the “Explore” tab or navigate to your library and click on the “Podcast” filter to see any podcast episodes or shows you have saved or liked....
Accessory maker Incase today at CES 2025 announced its new Compact Ergonomic Keyboard featuring a split design, a dedicated Copilot key for Windows users, and more. Incase is the company thatcontinued making Microsoft’s hardware accessoriesafter the Windows maker didn’t want to do it anymore. The new ergonomic keyboard from Incase won’t take up too much space on your desk thanks to its compact dimensions, measuring 13 inches wide (33 cm), 8....
Summary It’s 2025, and people still flock to 1080p monitors for their computers. I think it’s high time that we make 4K the default resolution of computer displays, because a 4K monitor is absolutely worth putting on your desk. In 2025, 4K Is Basically the Standard Resolution for Most Devices Already These days, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a TV that isn’t 4K. While 1080p panels do exist, 4K TVs are typically so cheap there’s no real reason to go with a lower resolution....
Quick Links Microsoft Word is available on desktop, mobile, and tablet, but it can sometimes be difficult to choose which is best. In this article, I’ll discuss some of the pros and cons of using the program’s mobile app, so you can decide whether it’s the most convenient version for you. Some people preferthe Microsoft 365 mobile app, as everything is accessible in one place. However, I find that having the standalone Microsoft Office apps is better for working on two files at the same time....
Summary When it comes to TVs, people can have an intense level of brand loyalty. I get it! It’s good to stick with a name that you know and trust, but being a little too snobby about the TV brands you’re willing to buy can come back to bite you in the end. I might not have made this argument ten years ago, but with advancements in flat panel technology, you’d be doing yourself a favor by considering lesser-known brands when you next buy a TV....
Summary The first wave of Windows “Copilot+ PCs” has arrived, promising all-day battery life, greater power efficiency, and great performance to better match Apple’s MacBook lineup. TheLenovo Yoga Slim 7xis one of the first models to reach store shelves, but it doesn’t quite live up to the hype. Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x is one of the first Copilot+ PC laptops, with all-day battery life, an OLED screen, and a power-efficient ARM-based Snapdragon X Elite chipset....
The Elgato Stream Deck has carved out its own niche over the years, but it’s about to get some competition with Logitech’s latest product. While I don’t always like Elgato’s products, one of the products I do love the concept of is theStream Deck. While on the surface, the Stream Deck is a glorified macro pad, the ability to visually customize the look of your buttons coupled with creating different folders and profiles for your needs puts it a step above an additional set of keys....
Microsoft has announced the end of support for the Remote Desktop app for Windows. You’ll need to switch to the ‘Windows App’ to continue remotely accessing your Windows PCs or servers, though this shutdown doesn’t affect all types of remote connections. The Windows App wasreleased to the general public in September 2024, after previously only being available for businesses and organizations using Windows 365 cloud computers. It’s supposed to unify all cloud and remote Windows desktop services in one place, complete with customizable home screens, multi-monitor support, and dynamic display resolutions....
Microsoft has added a new app called Workspaces to PowerToys, which comprises various utilities and add-ons for customizing Windows. If you’ve ever wanted to launch a bunch of apps with a click of a button, then Workspaces is for you. “Workspaces is a desktop manager utility for launching a set of applications to custom positions and configurations with one click, getting you into your ideal desktop state for any project or activity faster,” Microsoft said....
Plugable now sells a 5Gbps Ethernet to USB-C adapter for just $38. The company is also introducing its first Thunderbolt 5 cable, which is (thankfully) far less expensive than Apple’s TB5 cable. ThePlugable 5Gbps USB-C Ethernet Adapteris a serious asset for anyone who performs large data transfers over LAN. So long as you own afast network switch, along with a computer or server that has multi-gig Ethernet ports, it’s all plug and play....
Read update Samsung sells a lot ofAndroid phones, with the Galaxy A1x series aimed at buyers on a tight budget. The latest entry is now official at CES, with a $199.99 price tag: the Galaxy A14 5G. UPDATE: 1/12/23 The Galaxy A14 5G is now available for purchase atSamsung’s website,T-Mobile,andVerizon. It should be available atAT&TandCricket Wirelessstarting January 14. 🎉 The Samsung Galaxy A14 5G is aHow-To Geek Best of CES 2023 award winner!...
Sony sells a lot of speakers and headphones, and now the company is introducing a new ‘ULT’ lineup intended to make people “feel like they are front row at a concert.” There’s a massive party speaker, over-ear headphones, and smaller portable speakers. The first new product is theULT Tower 10, which seems like a direct competitor to the popularJBL PartyBox 1000and other tall boombox speakers. It’s a massive 360-degree speaker with omni-directional lighting, sound optimization based on surroundings, and a “TV Sound Booster” for a connected Sony TV playing live performance videos or movies....
