Microsoft has deprecated the UWP Map control API in Windows. Windows applications using that feature to embed Bing maps will stop receiving updated maps, and they will eventually stop working entirely. Microsoft’s own Maps app might also shut down. Microsoft introduced the MapControl API in Windows 10, which allowed apps to display maps using data from Bing. It was a helpful feature for weather applications, device tracking tools, and anywhere else an app might need to show a world map or local area....

Summary Nearly a year ago, I got a cryptic email asking if I wanted to try out a new, unreleased Nomad product. As a true earlier adopter, I agreed, even without knowing what the product was. Two days later a prototype of Nomad’s newMagnetic Leather Backshowed up in the mail. It didn’t even have a name at the time, so I called it a MagSafe Skin in my head. These are images of the original sample from 2023....

Summary From a geek’s perspective, having a device that can do two things instead of one is always preferable. So theNomad Universal Cable for Apple Watchis a clever way to trim down a travel bag or cut the clutter from your desk. The only problem is that this 2-in-1 cable is far more expensive than simply having two charging cables. Nomad Universal Cable for Apple Watch This particular charging cable can charger you Apple Watch and iPhone at the same time....

Quick Links Passkeys are Android’s first real-world step towards passwordless logins. They’re not all the way there yet, but they do take away the pain of forgetting (and remembering) passwords where they’re supported. Allow me to show you how you may log into apps and sites just by scanning your fingerprint. Why Do Passwords Suck? As long as we’ve had computers, we’ve needed some way to share them. A clever way to share one machine with multiple people is to give everyone a secret piece of text or “password....

There are plenty of well-established brands in thesmart home security systemmarket, such as Arlo, Ring, and Google, but more competition is always appreciated. Surprisingly,Philips Hueis throwing its metaphorical hat into the home security ring, with a new lineup of cameras and sensors. Signify’s sub-brand, Philips Hue, has, until this point, dedicated exclusively to smart light offerings. It’s one of the most popular brands in this segment, selling several different smart lighting products for you to make your house light up just the way you want to....

Qualcomm has revealed three new chipsets that will power new Android-based gaming handhelds. They will be used in new devices from Retroid Pocket, Ayaneo, and other manufacturers. Handheld gaming has surged in popularity over the past few years, with most of the attention going towards the Steam Deck and similar Windows-powered gaming handhelds. There are also many lighter and less expensive Android-powered models, mostly intended forretro game emulation, local game streaming from a PC or console, and cloud gaming....

Samsung has made it much harder to get Galaxy phones repaired in the United States over the past few months. Samsung and uBreakiFix now offer faster device repairs, but not everyone has access to them. Samsungannounced last yearthat it was working withuBreakiFix, a chain of repair stores across North America, to offer better and faster repairs for Galaxy phones and tablets. The plan was to upgrade 50 existing uBreakiFix locations into “flagship Samsung repair locations” by the end of 2023, with more repair training and on-hand parts....

Quick Links Is your SD card not showing up in the File Explorer? Issues like SD card corruption, a faulty card reader, a missing drive letter, outdated drivers, and more could cause the SD card detection issue on your PC. Follow the below tips to identify the primary cause and resolve the problem. Make Sure Your SD Card Isn’t Locked Many full-sized SD cards feature a physical locking switch that can lock the card when moved to the bottom position....

Hybridshave been flying off the lots for the past five years, especially as gas prices kept climbing, and EV sales hit some bumps. Drivers and automakers quickly saw that adding a hybrid option to a popular model made it even more appealing—hybrid sales took off. These cars don’t just save you fuel; they often pack more power under the hood thanks to their hybrid systems. Compact SUVs like theToyota RAV4andHonda CR-Vhybrids have become household names, but there’s a new hybrid contender quietly making waves....

Quick Links The Apple Watch is an excellent smartwatch and fitness tracker, but it isn’t entirely immune to bugs or software issues. Whether you’re facing trouble pairing your Apple Watch or installing an update, here are some workarounds for the most common problems. Apple Watch Won’t Pair With iPhone Usually, an Apple Watch doesn’t take much time to connect to an iPhone. However, if yourApple Watch doesn’t detect your iPhoneor the viewfinder method doesn’t work, you can try a few things....

One of my absolute favorite sitcoms on the planet isIt’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Its unique blend of dark humor, absurd situations, relatable characters, and willingness to tackle controversial topics make it a hysterical watch full of relevancy and entertainment. In honor of The Gang’s return for their 17th season, allow me to share with you my 10 favorite episodes ofIt’s Always Funny in Philadelphia. You canstreamIt’s Always Sunny in Philadelphiaon Hulu....

Quick Links Got a PlayStation fan in your life who’s difficult to shop for? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered with this PlayStation holiday buying guide. Not every PlayStation 5 console has adisc drive, something that’s required for it to play the disc-based games that come in physical packaging. This means a boxed game will be useless to anyone whose console lacks this component. At the same time, someone who owns a disc-reading PlayStation 5 is likely to love that you bought them a physical game....

Summary Video game music has steadily gained more attention in recent years, but many players still overlook the creative ways these iconic soundtracks are being utilized. Games use music in ways that can’t be achieved in any other medium, and that’s largely thanks to an underrated feature known as adaptive music. What Is Adaptive Music? Adaptive music—also known as “dynamic music” and “interactive music”—is a feature that allows a game’s soundtrack to dynamically change in response to your actions or specific in-game events....