Most everyone knows that the Northern Lights are gorgeous, but what actually is this phenomenon, and where does it come from? The answer involves a lot of science mumbo-jumbo, but don’t worry—I’ll break it down, and tell you the best way to see the Northern Lights in person. What Are the Northern Lights? The Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis, have a complex origin. They are caused by charged particles from the Sun, which are sent hurtling towards Earth as a result of solar activity such as flares, coronal mass ejections, or regular solar wind....

Quick Links Installing software updates right after release can sometimes cause more issues than they solve. That’s why I typically wait a few days to a week before updating my devices. If you tend to install updates immediately, here are a few reasons to consider being more selective about when you update. I Take Time to Adapt to the New Interface New updates often bring changes to user interface elements. If I rush to install them, it disrupts my workflow, and I find myself frustrated trying to locate options that have been moved or altered....

Summary You’ve heard people say “I was just talking about this” when an ad pops up in their social media feed or on a new website they’ve visited, leading to the theory that you’re being spied on by your phone or computer in order to target ads at you. While this is technically possible, this feeling that we get is almost certainly the result of a little bit of psychology and a lot of random chance....

Summary Users of Windows 10 will soon find that Microsoft no longer supports their operating system. Unless you want to switch over to the much-maligned Windows 11, your only good—and free—option is to switch to Linux. Here’s how you’re able to get used to your new OS. Wait, What’s Happening with Windows 10? First, though, a quick recap as we realize not everybody is as glued to the tech news as we are....

Quick Links Summary With the release of XenonRecomp, a tool that allows recompilation of Xbox 360 games, we may soon start receiving native PC ports of Xbox 360 titles. While XenonRecomp is a massive step in the right direction when it comes to enjoying Xbox 360 games on PC, I still bought a used Xbox 360 to enjoy these titles. Here’s why. Native PC Ports of Xbox 360 Games Will Take a While to Arrive XenonRecompis a fantastic tool that may one day makeXbox 360 emulation obsolete....

Quick Links Technology—smartphones, handheld game consoles, and so on—from the 1990s and 2007s is iconic, and for good reason. Many of these devices defined my childhood, and I’m sure that’s the same story for a lot of other people out there.XreArt Studiosmakes framed art out of these well-known devices, and oh my, the result is stunning. This framed tech art actually has ahilarious origin. XreArt Studios was established in 2019 as a photography studio, but later that year, the idea for framing deconstructed technology was born after the company’s lead photographer, Zach, broke his iPhone 6....

Summary TVs are no longer the plug-and-play devices they once were. Even the cheapest options have smart features, most notably streaming service apps. However, they also come bundled with pesky ads and security concerns. This has left many to yearn for simpler times, but is dumber really better? Dumb TVs Exist, but They’re Typically Not Good Flat-panel TVs that cut the smart fat do still exist to some degree, but your options are limited and not always created for home use....

Summary This year’s hurricane season has been accompanied by a surge of potentially life-saving advice. Learn your evacuation zone, stock up on water—all conventional stuff, really. But there’s one unusual piece of advice floating around. Friends, family, and journalists want you to update your iPhone. Sadly, this advice is only useful to a subset of iPhone owners. All versions of iOS from 16.1 onward offerEmergency SOSsatellite functionality. When cellular networks are unavailable, you can use Emergency SOS to contact emergency services or update your Find My location via satellite....

Read update Quick Links While fans everywhere are waiting for theSuper73 C1X electric motorcycle, the California-based lifestyle company hasn’t stopped releasing new ebikes. Today, Super73 unveiled a newAdventure Seriesthat upgrades its entire lineup, along with more details on its “K1D” ebike for kids. Super73 released its all-new Adventure series earlier this year, and along with it, promised its eBike built for kids was coming this summer. Finally, a little later than the initial June launch date, we’re happy to confirm theSuper73 K1D is finally shippingto buyers and is readily available....

Over the years, I’ve collected a large bundle of items that accompany me every time I head out stargazing. Starting with astronomy-specific tools and finishing with items that will keep you comfortable, here’s a checklist of essentials that will help you optimize your stellar experience. Before you head outside, it’s worth having a quick look at a planisphere. First, find today’s date on the planisphere’s outer ring, and then turn the wheel until the date lines up with the current time....

Strap on the backpacks and get ready for a year full of new experiences, new classes, and the dreaded H-word: homework! It can be an overwhelming time, but don’t let it fill you with dread. There’s still plenty of time for some comedic entertainment in your academic days. When you need to lift those back-to-school spirits, dive into any of these 12 TV shows to help get you in the mood....

Quick Links If you use Gmail on your Android device, you’re probably familiar with the basics—sending emails, archiving, and searching your inbox. However, the Android app offers several powerful features that can save you time, keep your inbox organized, and help you manage emails more efficiently. Swipe Actions for Quick Email Management Instead of manually sorting emails, Swipe Actions let you perform quick actions by simply swiping left or right on an email....

Games are fun and all, but some of the best experiences in virtual reality can just be walking through immersive worlds. VRChat, the VR social and games platform available on nearly every platform, has thousands of fantastic worlds to explore. Here are five of my favorites that you should check out. You can visit these worlds for yourself:VRChatis a free download on Steam, Meta Quest, HTC Vive, and Android phones/tablets. The PC version on Steam doesn’t require a VR headset, but the worlds lose some of their appeal outside the intended virtual reality environment....